DOCSLIB.ORG

The Canary Islands

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Canary Islands The Canary Islands Naturetrek Tour Report 23 February – 2 March 2019 Canary Bellflower by Jessica Turner Mount Teide by Andrew Bray Euphorbia atropururea by Jessica Turner Barbary Partridge by Andrew Bray Report and images by Jessica Turner and Andrew Bray Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report The Canary Islands Tour participants: Andrew Bray and Jessica Turner (leaders) together with 16 Naturetrek clients Summary The Canary Islands may be well-known as a general tourist destination, but they contain a wealth of natural treasures, and we were fortunate to experience many of them. Their isolation has given rise to many endemic species and subspecies, of which the great views of Tenerife Blue Chaffinch in perfect light were a highlight for many. We marvelled over the flora, so different to that of mainland Europe, and enjoyed the various species of lizards, plus the butterflies and other invertebrates we encountered. The day on La Gomera was a delight, not least for the numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters, whales and dolphins, plus the White-faced Storm Petrels we encountered. Lovely weather with plenty of sunshine, comfortable accommodation, good food and great company all made for an excellent week. Day 1 Saturday 23rd February Fly to Tenerife South – La Chafiras – Road to Vilaflor Fifteen tour group members met with Andrew and Jessica at Gatwick’s North Terminal for the 6.50am Easyjet flight to Tenerife South Airport. After a bit of a delay due to fog at Gatwick, we landed on the island at around 12.15pm, meeting up with our last group member, who had arrived on the island the previous day. We collected our vehicles and made our way to the nearby restaurant Casa Pedro, in Las Chafiras, where we enjoyed a good lunch. Afterwards, we drove a short distance to a small concrete tank, with water, parking on the edge of an area of waste ground. Two Spoonbills were on the far bank, with a Little Egret behind. As well as a Muscovy Duck and a couple of domestic – Mallard hybrids (described by Andrew as ‘dodgy’!), there were singles of both Coot and Moorhen. A Grey Wagtail of the local subspecies (canariensis) was feeding on the far bank, and a small wader was seen to be a Common Sandpiper. A number of European Pond Terrapins showed at least their heads, and an Emperor dragonfly was hawking. Common Kestrel (canariensis) was also recorded. Meanwhile, across the road, we started to explore the Canary Island flora, with its many unfamiliar species. Plants found included the Sea Heath Frankenia capitata, with tiny pink flowers, Canary Samphire (Schizogyne sericea) with yellow flowers, the curious Ceropegia fusca, looking like dead grey stems, but with maroon flower buds, Canary Island Cactus Spurge (Euphorbia canariensis), Balsam Spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera), and the naturalised prickly Prickly Pear (Opuntia dellinii). As it had been a very early start for most of the group, we decided to start to make our way up to the small town of Vilaflor, which is situated on the T-21 route to Mount Teide. En route Common Buzzard (insularum), more Kestrels, and Small White butterflies were noted, together with Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) in blossom. We also stopped not far from Vilaflor to admire the tall Sonchus canariensis, also seeing Berthelot’s Pipit, the white- flowered broom Tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus), the pretty red-fruited dock Rumex vesicarius and several other species. A female Canary Blue butterfly flitted round briefly, showing the sandy brown on her upper wings. We soon arrived at the Hotel Spa Villalba, our base for the next four nights. Canary Red Admirals were nectaring on an Echium in the garden and Blue Chaffinches were heard and seen by some, as well as the Tenerife subspecies of African Blue Tit (teneriffae), Atlantic Canary and the Island subspecies of Great Spotted Woodpecker (canariensis). © Naturetrek March 19 1 The Canary Islands Tour Report After time to settle in, and for some to enjoy the hotel’s spa facilities, we met to discuss the day and future plans, before sitting down to an excellent meal. We soon retired to bed after a long, but interesting day. Day 2 Sunday 24th February Anaga Peninsula This morning we met to explore the grounds of the hotel. We had good views of Blue Chaffinch, especially a couple of females by some water, but also a male, plus Great Spotted Woodpecker and African Blue Tit. After a delicious breakfast, and with picnic supplies on board, we headed off to the north-eastern end of the island, to the Anaga Peninsula. Leaving our hotel in beautiful sunshine, we retraced our route towards the coast and joined the motorway towards Santa Cruz, which we bypassed. Arriving on the peninsula, we first visited the recreation area of Llanos de los Viejos, in the Laurisilva woodland. Here we noted Azores Laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), some infected with the Laurel Fungus Laurobasidium lauri. We also noted Tree Heath (Erica arborea) and Broad-leaved Holly (Ilex perado subsp. platyphyllos), plus what looked more like Canary Holly (Ilex canariensis). Two of the Tenerife subspecies of European Robin (superbus) showed well, and Canary Speckled Wood and Painted Lady butterflies were enjoying the sun. We soon moved on to the Mirador at Cruz de Carmen, where we had the chance to use the facilities and have a quick coffee, as well as enjoying the extensive, though slightly hazy, views. We looked again at the laurel, some of which had Hare’s-foot Fern growing as an epiphyte, and noted the yellow Genista canariensis. A number of Canary Islands Chiffchaffs were calling and feeding in the vegetation. We then made our way down the steep roads towards the sea, noting the massive Chain Fern (Woodwardia radicans) cascading down the banks. We parked at Chinamada, where we admired a Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco) that was much older than the house or garden surrounding it. We set off along the track towards the headland, soon finding an amazing array of new plants. These included the white Bugloss Echium aculeatum, and the blue- and-pink Echium virescens, the pink ‘daisy’ Pericallis tussilaginis, the fern Macronesian Polypody (Polypodium macaronesicum), a small specimen of the yellow Genista canariensis, Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), some of which was white, and spikes of Canary Twayblade (Habbenaria tridactylites), which were, sadly, all over. The Stonecrop family was well represented, with Canary Houseleek (Aeonium canariensis), Aichryson parlatorei, with very small leaves and some of which had bright yellow flowers, Monanthes anagensis which was slightly trailing, some having pinkish flowers, and tight rosettes of Monanthes brachycaulon (also with a few pinkish flowers), Monanthes minima and the extremely rare Monanthes wildpretii, which only grows at Chinamada. There was also Clubmoss Crassula (Crassula muscoides), looking like a clubmoss, as well as the true Mediterranean Clubmoss (Selaginella denticulata). The banks were starred with the Canary Sand Crocus (Romulea columnae subsp. grandiscapa) and we found a spike of Scilla haemorrhoidalis. Canary Islands Chiffchaffs and Sardinian Warblers (leucogastra) were flitting around, while at the headland, we had great views of a very obliging Barbary Falcon. Some also had good views of Spectacled Warbler. We ate our excellent picnic near the minibuses, trying to find some shade, before we made our way back up towards the ridge, seeing the beautiful orange-red flowers of Canary Bellflower (Canarina canariensis) by the road. After another brief stop at Cruz de Carmen, we drove to the much quieter viewpoint of La Zapata. Here, while looking for Laurel Pigeons, we also noted the tall-stemmed Sonchus acaulis (the leaf-rosette of which is stemless), and the short-stemmed Anaga Sow-thistle (Sonchus congestus). There were also rosettes of the Giant Houseleek 2 © Naturetrek March 19 The Canary Islands Tour Report (Aeonium urbicum), also with woody stalks. We then returned to Llano de los Viejos, which was still very busy with a noisy party going on. However, we managed to have good view of Canary Islands Goldcrest (also known as Tenerife Kinglet), plus some brief views of Laurel Pigeons. Plants included Mule’s Fern (Asplenium hemionitis). It was then time to set off on our lengthy journey back to the hotel, where we had a break, another delicious meal, and soon retired after a full and satisfying day. Day 3 Monday 25th February La Gomera An early start today saw us on the road at 6.45am, en route in the early dawn, down to the port at Los Christianos, for the ferry to San Sebastian on the adjacent island of La Gomera. On our arrival at the harbour, Andrew went off to book our tickets, while Jessica organised breakfast. From the café we could see Yellow- legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a small flock of Ruddy Turnstone, and a Sandwich Tern. Once on board the ferry, we made our way to the upper deck to sea watch during the one-hour crossing. The sea was mirror calm and, almost immediately, we saw our first fins: three Bottlenose Dolphins, quite far out. As we set off, we noted large numbers of crabs, probably a Tidal Spray species, on the concrete blocks of the harbour wall. Then we started seeing Cory’s Shearwaters (borealis), some distant and others closer at hand. More fins were a pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales. The conditions were ideal, and we had amazing views throughout the crossing of plenty of Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-finned Pilot Whales, some groups of which were ‘logging’ on the surface, and a school of Common Dolphins which at one point were alongside and almost under the boat, plus some individual or smaller pods elsewhere.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • H3.3 Macaronesian Inland Cliff
    European Red List of Habitats - Screes Habitat Group H3.3 Macaronesian inland cliff Summary The perennial vegetation of crevices and ledges of cliff faces in Macaronesia away from coastal salt-spray is of very diverse character - some, for example, dominated by succulents, others rich in ferns and bryophytes characteristic of shaded situations - and it includes several hundreds of taxa endemic to the archipelagoes. The main threats are mountaineering and rock climbing, outdoor sports and leisure activities, and construction of infrastructures such as roads and motorways. Synthesis There is no evidence of significant past reductions, either in the last 50 years or historically, and also future prospects are good, as no serious threats are envisaged, besides touristic/leisure activities and putative faulty environmental impact assessments that may overlook this habitat as valuable. Reduction in quantity, reduction in quality and criteria of geographic distribution yield the Least Concern (LC) category. In spite of the LC category, conservation policy and management should restrict to the maximum any threat to or reduction of the habitat, as it has a very high conservation value, because of high endemism of species and communities with many local and regional variaties. Overall Category & Criteria EU 28 EU 28+ Red List Category Red List Criteria Red List Category Red List Criteria Least Concern - Least Concern - Sub-habitat types that may require further examination Four general subtypes can be distinguished based on species composition and different ecological conditions. However, at present, no data are available to carry out an individual assessment of each of them. In the future, if detailed plot sampling has been carried out, such an evaluation may be possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Gradient Analysis of Exotic Species in Pinus Radiata Stands of Tenerife (Canary Islands) S
    The Open Forest Science Journal, 2009, 2, 63-69 63 Open Access Gradient Analysis of Exotic Species in Pinus radiata Stands of Tenerife (Canary Islands) S. Fernández-Lugo and J.R. Arévalo* Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna 38206, Spain Abstract: Identifying the factors that influence the spread of exotic species is essential for evaluating the present and future extent of plant invasions and for the development of eradication programs. We randomly established a network of 250 plots on an exotic Pinus radiata D. Don plantation on Tenerife Island in order to determine if roads and urban centers are favouring the spread of exotic plant species into the forest. We identified four distinct vegetation groups in the P. radiata stands: advanced laurel forest (ALF), undeveloped laurel forest (ULF), ruderal (RU), and Canarian pine stand (CPS). The groups farthest from roads and urban nuclei (ALF and CPS) have the best conserved vegetation, characterizing by the main species of the potential vegetation of the area and almost no exotic and ruderal species. On the other hand, the groups nearest to human infrastructures (ULF and RU) are characterized by species from potential vegetation’s substitution stages and a higher proportion of exotic and ruderal species. The results indicate distance to roads and urban areas are disturbance factors favouring the presence of exotic and ruderal species into the P. radiata plantation. We propose the eradication of some dangerous exotic species, monitoring of the study area in order to detect any intrusion of alien species in the best conserved areas and implementation of management activities to reduce the perturbation of the ULF and RU areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Campanulaceae) Based on ITS and Tranl-F Sequence Data: Implications for a Reclassification
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by University of the Western Cape Research Repository Cupido, C. N. et al. (2013). Phylogeny of Southern African and Australasian Wahlenbergioids (Campanulaceae) based on ITS and tranL-F sequence data: implications for a reclassification. Systematic Botany, 38(2): 523 – 535 http:// doi.org/10.1600/036364413X666714 dx. Phylogeny of Southern African and Australasian Wahlenbergioids (Campanulaceae) based on ITS and trnL-F sequence data: implications for a reclassification Christopher N. Cupido , Jessica M. Prebble , and William M. M. Eddie Abstract The Campanulaceae: Wahlenbergioideae currently comprises 15 genera, one of which, Wahlenbergia, is widespread over the southern continents. Southern Africa is the region with maximum wahlenbergioid diversity with 12 genera and approximately 252 species. A second center is Australasia with 38 Wahlenbergia species. This study used a broad sample of wahlenbergioid diversity from South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand to reconstruct a phylogeny based on chloroplast trnL-F and nuclear ITS sequences. Data were analyzed separately and in combination using parsimony and Bayesian methods. The results suggest that for the wahlenbergioids to be monophyletic Wahlenbergia hederacea has to be excluded and that none of the South African, Australian or New Zealand lineages are strictly monophyletic. There are five species assemblages that are in some disagreement with current classification in the family. Wahlenbergia, Prismatocarpus and Roella are shown to be non-monophyletic and implications for a reclassification are presented. Careful consideration of morphological characters is suggested before the adjustment of generic circumscriptions can be accomplished. Recent family-wide molecular phylogenetic studies have supported the view that the Campanulaceae s.s.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklists of Crustacea Decapoda from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, with an Assessment of Macaronesian and Cape Verde Biogeographic Marine Ecoregions
    Zootaxa 4413 (3): 401–448 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2018 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4413.3.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2DF9255A-7C42-42DA-9F48-2BAA6DCEED7E Checklists of Crustacea Decapoda from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, with an assessment of Macaronesian and Cape Verde biogeographic marine ecoregions JOSÉ A. GONZÁLEZ University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, i-UNAT, Campus de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. E-mail: [email protected]. ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8584-6731. Abstract The complete list of Canarian marine decapods (last update by González & Quiles 2003, popular book) currently com- prises 374 species/subspecies, grouped in 198 genera and 82 families; whereas the Cape Verdean marine decapods (now fully listed for the first time) are represented by 343 species/subspecies with 201 genera and 80 families. Due to changing environmental conditions, in the last decades many subtropical/tropical taxa have reached the coasts of the Canary Islands. Comparing the carcinofaunal composition and their biogeographic components between the Canary and Cape Verde ar- chipelagos would aid in: validating the appropriateness in separating both archipelagos into different ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2007), and understanding faunal movements between areas of benthic habitat. The consistency of both ecoregions is here compared and validated by assembling their decapod crustacean checklists, analysing their taxa composition, gath- ering their bathymetric data, and comparing their biogeographic patterns. Four main evidences (i.e. different taxa; diver- gent taxa composition; different composition of biogeographic patterns; different endemicity rates) support that separation, especially in coastal benthic decapods; and these parametres combined would be used as a valuable tool at comparing biotas from oceanic archipelagos.
    [Show full text]
  • Rainfall and Flooding in Coastal Tourist Areas of the Canary Islands (Spain)
    atmosphere Article Rainfall and Flooding in Coastal Tourist Areas of the Canary Islands (Spain) Abel López Díez 1 , Pablo Máyer Suárez 2,*, Jaime Díaz Pacheco 1 and Pedro Dorta Antequera 1 1 University of La Laguna (ULL), 38320 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; [email protected] (A.L.D.); [email protected] (J.D.P.); [email protected] (P.D.A.) 2 Physical Geography and Environment Group, Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35214 Telde, Gran Canaria, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 19 November 2019; Accepted: 11 December 2019; Published: 13 December 2019 Abstract: Coastal spaces exploited for tourism tend to be developed rapidly and with a desire to maximise profit, leading to diverse environmental problems, including flooding. As the origin of flood events is usually associated with intense precipitation episodes, this study considers the general rainfall characteristics of tourist resorts in two islands of the Canary Archipelago (Spain). Days of intense rainfall were determined using the 99th percentile (99p) of 8 daily precipitation data series. In addition, the weather types that generated these episodes were identified, the best-fitting distribution functions were determined to allow calculation of probable maximum daily precipitation for different return periods, and the territorial and economic consequences of flood events were analysed. The results show highly irregular rainfall, with 99p values ranging 50–80 mm. The weather types associated with 49 days of flooding events were predominantly cyclonic and hybrid cyclonic. The Log Pearson III distribution function best fitted the data series, with a strong likelihood in a 100-year return period of rainfall exceeding 100 mm in a 24 h period.
    [Show full text]
  • Oberholzeria (Fabaceae Subfam. Faboideae), a New Monotypic Legume Genus from Namibia
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Oberholzeria (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae), a New Monotypic Legume Genus from Namibia Wessel Swanepoel1,2*, M. Marianne le Roux3¤, Martin F. Wojciechowski4, Abraham E. van Wyk2 1 Independent Researcher, Windhoek, Namibia, 2 H. G. W. J. Schweickerdt Herbarium, Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 3 Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, 4 School of Life Sciences, Arizona a11111 State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America ¤ Current address: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa * [email protected] Abstract OPEN ACCESS Oberholzeria etendekaensis, a succulent biennial or short-lived perennial shrublet is de- Citation: Swanepoel W, le Roux MM, Wojciechowski scribed as a new species, and a new monotypic genus. Discovered in 2012, it is a rare spe- MF, van Wyk AE (2015) Oberholzeria (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae), a New Monotypic Legume cies known only from a single locality in the Kaokoveld Centre of Plant Endemism, north- Genus from Namibia. PLoS ONE 10(3): e0122080. western Namibia. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular sequence data from the plastid matK doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0122080 gene resolves Oberholzeria as the sister group to the Genisteae clade while data from the Academic Editor: Maharaj K Pandit, University of nuclear rDNA ITS region showed that it is sister to a clade comprising both the Crotalarieae Delhi, INDIA and Genisteae clades. Morphological characters diagnostic of the new genus include: 1) Received: October 3, 2014 succulent stems with woody remains; 2) pinnately trifoliolate, fleshy leaves; 3) monadel- Accepted: February 2, 2015 phous stamens in a sheath that is fused above; 4) dimorphic anthers with five long, basifixed anthers alternating with five short, dorsifixed anthers, and 5) pendent, membranous, one- Published: March 27, 2015 seeded, laterally flattened, slightly inflated but indehiscent fruits.
    [Show full text]
  • Biotechnological Approaches in Strawberry Tree (Arbutus Unedo L.) Breedi̇ Ng
    36 Review Article Ekin Journal of Crop Breeding and Genetics (2015) 1-1:36-41 www.ekinjournal.com Biotechnological approaches in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) breedi̇ ng Aysun Cavuşoğlu1,2 Melekber Sulusoglu1,2 Suleyman Erkal1 1Kocaeli University, Arslanbey Agricultural Vocational School, TR-41285, Kocaeli/Turkey. 2Kocaeli University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Horticulture, TR-41380, Kocaeli/Turkey. Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Citation: Cavusoglu A, Sulusoglu M and Erkal S 2015. Biotechnological approaches in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) breeding. Ekin J Crop Breed and Gen 1-1:36-41. Received: 07.06.2014 Accepted: 27.10.2014 Published Online: 15.01.2015 Printed: 25.01.2015 ABSTRACT Arbutus unedo L. (Strawberry tree) belongs to Ericaceae family, is an evergreen shrub or tree, mostly known around Mediterranean region in natural habitat, has valuable medicinal and aromatic properties. The plant is mainly used for its edible fruits. In addition, A. unedo have increasing importance in afforestration programmes, beekeeping facilities, ornamental purposes and elucidating plant physiology. Therefore, the species is seemingly a promising fruit plant. Orchards are very limited but increasing demand to the plant will result in initiations of establishment new fruit orchards with superior genotypes viz. tolerant to the abiotic stress, resistant to pests and diseases, rich contents in terms of valuable compounds, convenience to postharvest operations, being visually preferable and suitable to target climate. Plant breeding is an important component to overcome elimination of unwanted features and to reach admirable characters. The main steps in breeding are effective selection, succesfully adaptation and inheritance via transferring the features to subsequent generations.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of the Vascular Alien Flora of Catalonia (Northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) Pere Aymerich1 & Llorenç Sáez2,3
    BOTANICAL CHECKLISTS Mediterranean Botany ISSNe 2603-9109 https://dx.doi.org/10.5209/mbot.63608 Checklist of the vascular alien flora of Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) Pere Aymerich1 & Llorenç Sáez2,3 Received: 7 March 2019 / Accepted: 28 June 2019 / Published online: 7 November 2019 Abstract. This is an inventory of the vascular alien flora of Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) updated to 2018, representing 1068 alien taxa in total. 554 (52.0%) out of them are casual and 514 (48.0%) are established. 87 taxa (8.1% of the total number and 16.8 % of those established) show an invasive behaviour. The geographic zone with more alien plants is the most anthropogenic maritime area. However, the differences among regions decrease when the degree of naturalization of taxa increases and the number of invaders is very similar in all sectors. Only 26.2% of the taxa are more or less abundant, while the rest are rare or they have vanished. The alien flora is represented by 115 families, 87 out of them include naturalised species. The most diverse genera are Opuntia (20 taxa), Amaranthus (18 taxa) and Solanum (15 taxa). Most of the alien plants have been introduced since the beginning of the twentieth century (70.7%), with a strong increase since 1970 (50.3% of the total number). Almost two thirds of alien taxa have their origin in Euro-Mediterranean area and America, while 24.6% come from other geographical areas. The taxa originated in cultivation represent 9.5%, whereas spontaneous hybrids only 1.2%. From the temporal point of view, the rate of Euro-Mediterranean taxa shows a progressive reduction parallel to an increase of those of other origins, which have reached 73.2% of introductions during the last 50 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Fire Intensity on Non-Native Plant Species Community in a Canarian Pine Forest Three and Eleven Years After Fire C
    70 The Open Forest Science Journal, 2009, 2, 70-77 Open Access Effect of Fire Intensity on Non-Native Plant Species Community in a Canarian Pine Forest Three and Eleven Years After Fire C. García-Domínguez* and J.M. Fernández-Palacios Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna 38206, España Abstract: The invasion of non-native plant species is one of the greatest threats to natural ecosystems, and oceanic islands are especially susceptible to this threat. Fire, as a disturbance factor, has been found to promote non-native species invasion and fire intensity is one of the variables determining the severity of invasions. This study was designed to determine the impact of non-native species in the Tenerife pine forest understory on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, and how they are affected by low and high intensity wildfire. We resampled in 2006 the plots set for a previous study in 1998 within the area affected by a wildfire in June 1995. Six control plots, nine low-severity burned plots and twelve high-severity burned plots were sampled three and eleven years after fire. Native species cover increased in high severely burned plots with respect to control plots. It also increased in low and high severely burned plots from 1998 to 2006. No differences were found for non-native cover and richness between fire intensities or in time. Results suggest that some of the native understory plant species are adapted to high intensity fire and respond by increasing their cover after fire to the detriment of non-native species.
    [Show full text]
  • Europe's Huntable Birds a Review of Status and Conservation Priorities
    FACE - EUROPEAN FEDERATIONEurope’s FOR Huntable HUNTING Birds A Review AND CONSERVATIONof Status and Conservation Priorities Europe’s Huntable Birds A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities December 2020 1 European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) Established in 1977, FACE represents the interests of Europe’s 7 million hunters, as an international non-profit-making non-governmental organisation. Its members are comprised of the national hunters’ associations from 37 European countries including the EU-27. FACE upholds the principle of sustainable use and in this regard its members have a deep interest in the conservation and improvement of the quality of the European environment. See: www.face.eu Reference Sibille S., Griffin, C. and Scallan, D. (2020) Europe’s Huntable Birds: A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities. European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE). https://www.face.eu/ 2 Europe’s Huntable Birds A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities Executive summary Context Non-Annex species show the highest proportion of ‘secure’ status and the lowest of ‘threatened’ status. Taking all wild birds into account, The EU State of Nature report (2020) provides results of the national the situation has deteriorated from the 2008-2012 to the 2013-2018 reporting under the Birds and Habitats directives (2013 to 2018), and a assessments. wider assessment of Europe’s biodiversity. For FACE, the findings are of key importance as they provide a timely health check on the status of In the State of Nature report (2020), ‘agriculture’ is the most frequently huntable birds listed in Annex II of the Birds Directive.
    [Show full text]
  • Growth Patterns in Barbary Partridges Alectoris Barbara Originated from Low- and High Elevations in West Central Morocco
    Avocetta 38: 45-51 (2014) Growth patterns in Barbary partridges Alectoris barbara originated from low- and high elevations in West central Morocco MOHAMED AOURIR1*, ABDELILAH EL ABBASSI2, MOHAMMED ZNARI2 1Departement of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University - PO Box 8106, Agadir, Morocco. 2Laboratory “Biodiversité et dynamique des écosystèmes”, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Cadi Ayyad U- ni versity - PO Box 2390, Marrakech 40 000, Morocco. *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract – The Barbary partridge, the family Phasianidae, is the main game bird in Morocco and which was reported to be heavier and larger in mountains than in lowlands. In this regard, the purpose of the present study was to investigate posthatching growth of body weight and seven morphometric parameters in Barbary partridges Alectoris barbara originated from low- and high elevations, and raised in common captive environment. Gompertz model presents the best fit to the growth curves for body weight, wing, leg and sternum. Mean body weight at hatching was similar between elevations and was relatively higher, compared to that in other studied perdicine species. Adult Barbary partridges from high and low elevations maintained the difference in body weight when raised in common captive envi- ronment. This suggests a role of genetic selection and / or maternal effects between the two studied populations. However, all the other growth parameters of morphological traits were similar between captive birds originated from the two elevations. This lack of difference could be related to a potential phenotypic plasticity with a convergence in common captive environment. Key-words: Barbary partridge; body weight; growth rate; morphometry; mountains; plain.
    [Show full text]
  • Estudio Ecológico De La Laurisilva Canaria
    ESTUDIO ECOLÓGICO DE LA LAURISILVA CANARU Dirigido por JOSÉ M. GANDULEO '^ \m^''i^^^B • HpKü i ^H^Bl WfM ^^"""^'^^c^ ' ~^^P^S P5^ . 4¿Kl¿4?ff^'' ^ DE AGRICULTURA PESCA Y Colección Técnica ALIMENTACIÓN ESTUDIO ECOLÓGICO DE LA LAURISILVA CANARIA Dirigido por JOSÉ M. GANDULLO MINISTERIO DE AGRICULTURA PESCA Y ALIMENTACIÓN Colección Técnica Edita: ICONA ÑIPO: 254-91-024-6 ISBN: 84-85496-89-2 Depósito legal: M. 34.213-1991 Fotocomposición e impresión: Closas-Orcoyen, S. L. Dirigido por JOSÉ M. GANDULLO Autores: BAÑARES, A.; BLANCO, A.; CASTROVIEJO, M.; FERNANDEZ LÓPEZ, A.; GANDULLO, J. M.; MUÑOZ, L.; SÁNCHEZ PALOMARES, O.; SERRADA, R. TÍTULOS PUBLICADOS EN LA COLECCIÓN TÉCNICA El Lince ibérico en España. El Águila real en España. Distribución y demografía de la Grulla común en España. El Lobo en España. Los Olmos y la Grafiosis en España. El Alimoche en España. La Nutria en España. Los Bosques Flotantes. Parámetros demográficos, selección de habitat y distribución de la Avutarda en tres regiones españolas. El Parque Nacional de Garajonay, patrimonio mundial. Humedales españoles en la lista del Convenio de Ramsar. El Cernícalo Primilla en la Península Ibérica. II Censo Nacional de Buitre Leonado. Historia Natural del Águila Imperial Ibérica. Estudio Ecológico de la Laurisilva Canaria. Los Murciélagos de España y Portugal. Este trabajo ha sido realizado en virtud de un convenio firmado entre ICONA y el Departamento de Silvopascicul- tura de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a través de la Fundación Conde del Valle de Salazar. Los autores agradecen profundamente al Prof. JOSÉ MANUEL HERNÁNDEZ y al personal del Departamento de Edafología de la Universidad de La Laguna la cuidadosa realización de los análisis de los suelos muestreados en este estudio.
    [Show full text]