Common Kestrel

Alpine Swift

White Stork

Bearded Vulture

Little Owl

European Pied Flycatcher

White-throated Dipper

Tawny Owl

Marked adult dipper

We are hungry! Two young dippers beg their mother for food.

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Common Kestrel

Alpine Swift

White Stork

Bearded Vulture

Little Owl

European Pied Flycatcher

White-throated Dipper

Tawny Owl

Marked adult dipper

We are hungry! Two young dippers beg their mother for food.

Projects

Integrated population models

New statistical models reveal the drivers of bird population dynamics.

Changes in bird populations are the result of demographic processes: survival, reproduction, immigration and emigration. Understanding these processes is not only of scientific interest, but also a prerequisite for effective conservation and management.

Domain Research

Unit Population Biology

Topics Ecology, Population Development

Habitat alpine habitats, farmland, forest, meadows and pastures, rivers & streams, rocky terrain, semi-open farmland, settlements, wasteland, wetlands

Project start 2020

Project status ongoing

Project management Michael Schaub

Project region Switzerland

Details

Project objectives

The demography of selected species is monitored over as long a period as possible. The aim is to better understand the causes of population changes. This information is used to inform conservation and management measures and for scientific purposes.

Methodology

Survival data are collected by ringing, and breeding data are collected by observing nests. These data are mainly sampled by volunteers, either as part of species-specific projects (population studies) or at the Constant Effort sites. Data collection is coordinated by the ringing centre. These data are periodically analysed with population count data and published in reports or scientific journals.

Significance

Knowledge of demography is crucial to understanding why bird populations have changed and how they will change in the future. Predictions are particularly important when the environment is changing rapidly, for example due to habitat loss or climate change.

Results

Analysis of data on kestrels has shown that individuals breeding in nest boxes produce surpluses that disperse to neighbouring populations. This shows that the installation of nest boxes not only has a local effect, but can also have a positive impact on other populations, making them a very effective conservation measure.