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Effects and consequences of agriculture, tourism and hunting on the birdlife at Gialova lagoon - an area of international importance for migratory birds Effects and consequences of agriculture, tourism and hunting on the birdlife at Gialova lagoon - an area of international importance for migratory birds David Söderblom-Tay Handledare: Bo Eknert Examinator: Karin Holmgren Examensarbete i Biogeovetenskap 1 David Söderblom-Tay 2 Effects and consequences of agriculture, tourism and hunting on the birdlife at Gialova lagoon - an area of international importance for migratory birds Abstract Many populations of migrating waterbirds in Africa and Western Eurasia are in a long- term decline, largely because of the loss of wetlands along their migration routes. Between 1950 and 1985, 63 % of the wetlands in Greece were lost due to human activities. However, humans are also a source of more direct disturbance to birds that may have a negative influence on their fitness. The purpose of this study has been to assess how human disturbance in the form of agriculture, tourism and hunting might affect the birdlife in a coastal lagoon in southwestern Greece, and, if needed, propose measures on how to improve the status of the birdlife. To evaluate this, interviews and studies of monitoring reports and literature have been conducted. The studied area, Gialova lagoon, is the southernmost wetland in the Balkan Peninsula, which makes it especially important for migratory birds. The study shows that the major threats to the lagoon have already been dealt with. However, there are still improvements that can be made. Currently, agriculture seems to have the most negative effect on the concerned area, but since there appears to be an ambition to increase tourism in the area this may change in the future. Disturbance from hunting only plays a minor role in the area around the lagoon. The establishment of an official management body as well as an official management plan would probably be an effective way to continue the conservation work and reduce the disturbance of human activities in Gialova lagoon. 1 David Söderblom-Tay 2 Effects and consequences of agriculture, tourism and hunting on the birdlife at Gialova lagoon - an area of international importance for migratory birds Table of contents 1. Introduction...................................................................................................................5 2. Methods.........................................................................................................................6 2.1. Study area...........................................................................................................6 2.2. Data collection....................................................................................................7 2.3. Fieldwork............................................................................................................8 3. Results...........................................................................................................................9 3.1. General...............................................................................................................9 3.2. Birdlife..............................................................................................................10 3.3. Agriculture........................................................................................................12 3.4. Tourism.............................................................................................................14 3.5. Hunting.............................................................................................................15 4. Discussion....................................................................................................................16 4.1. General.............................................................................................................16 4.2. Agriculture........................................................................................................16 4.3. Tourism.............................................................................................................18 4.4. Hunting.............................................................................................................21 5. Conclusions.................................................................................................................22 Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................24 References.......................................................................................................................24 Internet.....................................................................................................................24 Interviews................................................................................................................24 Literature.................................................................................................................25 Maps........................................................................................................................26 Unpublished material...............................................................................................26 Appendix.........................................................................................................................28 Bird species observed at Gialova lagoon during the fieldwork (11-13/5 – 2014)...28 3 David Söderblom-Tay 4 Effects and consequences of agriculture, tourism and hunting on the birdlife at Gialova lagoon - an area of international importance for migratory birds 1. Introduction Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, sustaining many different species of animals and plants (Ramsar convention 2014-06-11). However, wetlands are also one of the most threatened types of ecosystems, and it is estimated that around half of the world's wetlands were lost during the 20th century (European Commission 2007). For a long time wetlands have been considered as marginal lands whose only value lie in being drained and converted into more useful areas, e.g. for agriculture, or simply as sources of diseases, like malaria (ibid.). But suitable wetlands along migration routes are needed by migratory waterbirds as assembly and wintering areas (de Klemm 1994). In Greece around 2000 km2 of wetland, comprising 378 sites, still remain (Zalidis & Mantzavelas 1996 in Gerakis & Kalburtji 1998). However, many of the lost wetlands were situated along the coast, which migration routes for birds often follow (Bortels et al. 2011). The loss and deterioration of wetlands along the migration routes used by waterbirds are one of the major reasons why many populations of waterbirds in Africa and Western Eurasia are in a long-term decline (Davidson & Stroud 2006). There are actually more populations decreasing than are increasing (ibid.). Member states of the European Union must, according to article 10 in the habitats directive, promote the management of features of the landscape that are important for the wild flora and fauna, e.g. areas that are essential for the migration of species (EUR-Lex 2014-06-12). Some of the activities performed by humans that most frequently impact wetlands in Greece include expansion of agriculture which reduces the wetland area, pollution from agriculture causing changes in the quality of the water of wetlands, usage of water from wetlands for irrigation of farms, and the illegal hunting of animals (Zalidis et al. 1997). Outdoor activities and ecotourism are gaining more and more popularity and this leads to an increasing amount of contact between humans and wildlife (Ikuta & Blumstein 2003). This may be beneficial for increasing the support from the general public for the protection of valuable areas. However, it may also affect the species we are trying to protect negatively. How birds react to different kinds of disturbance depends on the species of bird. Some sensitive species might completely disappear from the area or appear in lesser numbers, while others might not be affected at all or even increase in numbers (Foin et al. 1977; Robertson & Flood 1980; Clark et al. 1984; Blakesley & Reese 1988 all in Hockin et al. 1992). The reactions also depend on what time of the year it is (Collins- Kreiner et al. 2013) as well as local conditions of the habitat. Therefore it is quite difficult to give definite answers to how disturbance might affect the birds in a specific area without further studies of the birdlife in that area. However, some general effects and consequences can be found. Disturbance caused by humans can have a negative influence on the fitness of birds (Collins-Kreiner et al. 2013). This is because humans are often perceived as a threat by birds, as well as by other animals, and the reaction to the presence of humans is often increased vigilance or flight (Burger & Gochfeld 1998; Collins-Kreiner et al. 2013). This means that the birds spend less time foraging for food (Burger & Gochfeld 1998) and instead expend more energy on flying. They also spend less time brooding and caring for their young, leaving their nests exposed to predators and the weather (Hunt 1972; Titus & VanDruff 1981; Pfluger & Ingold 1988; Götmark et al. 1989; Keller 1989; Yalden & Yalden 1990 all in Hockin et al. 1992). If forced to take flight they may return to the area later or move to another area where there might be more competition about food resources