A groundbreaking collaborative study coordinated by researchers from CE3C (Faculty of Sciences in Lisbon) and CESAM (UA), sheds light on the vulnerabilities faced by migratory birds and the limitations of current conservation efforts. The research co-authored by José Alves, Afonso Rocha (Researchers at CESAM) and João Belo (PhD student at CESAM) focuses on the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) along its migratory range in the East Atlantic Flyway, emphasizing the critical importance of connectivity between sites for its conservation.
Key Findings:
- The study integrates diverse data sources, including metal-ring recoveries, colour-ring re-sightings, and satellite tracking from over 10,000 individual birds, to build a comprehensive network of sites critical to the species’ survival.
- Colour-ring re-sightings identified 70% of sites and provided 60% and 43% of seasonal links, followed by tracking data and ring recoveries.
- Data gaps were identified in central and eastern regions of Europe and Africa, highlighting uneven geographical coverage.
- Of the 49 most important sites for the Black-tailed Godwit, only 47% are officially recognized as internationally significant, and 20% lack any form of protection. On average, 44% of bird relocations per site occurred within protected areas, showcasing weaknesses in current conservation strategies.
By integrating multiple data sources, the researchers were able to improve the understanding of the site network and quantify the importance of connectivity in the birds’ migratory cycle.
Policy Implications:
The authors emphasize that existing conservation measures, which focus on specific protected areas (often designated based on count data only), often fail to account for the inter-dependence of migratory sites. They advocate for flyway-scale management also informed by individual movement data to identify priority sites and enhance protection of highly mobile species.
This study demonstrates the value of integrating advanced tracking methods to address the challenges of migratory bird conservation. It serves as a call to policymakers and conservationists to adopt more comprehensive, connectivity-focused strategies to ensure the long-term survival of migratory species.
The participation of CESAM researchers in this study demonstrates the pivotal role of CESAM as a center of scientific excellence in the field of migratory bird ecology and conservation and showcases the direct impact of their research on shaping conservation policies.