Results of the study carried out in the SPA de La Serena y Sierras Peripheral for ANSER.
1 .- Introduction.
has always been known cases of rugged fauna in different infrastructure (power lines, roads, fences, windmills, ...) and even had the suspicion that in certain places and in association with certain accessories and / or human artifacts the accident rate for birds would be considerable, but to date have been very few studies have been undertaken with the intent to assess damage and evaluate possible solutions. In some fields such as power lines or wind turbines have published several studies, and the first known cases certain corrective measures, some of which are being implemented to a lesser or greater extent depending on areas and all of the involvement of the various regional governments in environmental matters. In other cases, such as roads or fences, the virtual absence of studies has led to corrective action only in a really small, very promptly, and without follow-up to validate its effectiveness.
During five months of this year (June to October inclusive) the natural association of Friends of La Serena (ANSER), sponsored by DG Environment of the Junta de Extremadura, has conducted a study on accidents of birds on power lines, fences and roads within the Zepa "La Serena y Sierras Peripheral." The overall results of this study are as follows.
2 .- Power Lines.
Before presenting data should be clarified that the high incidence of predation between the findings make us think that some birds may have been transported to a considerable distance from where the accident suffered and for that reason there were no findings, while it is obvious to think that not all accidents that have occurred as a result of collision with cables and the subsequent fall to the ground would have resulted the more or less immediate death of the birds, but some (number unknown) could have survived the crash and have moved in search of shelter, away from the prospected areas. Bustard
killed by colliding with power lines.
Due to the above, the number of findings must be seen as minimal Part of that might be found if they are performed almost continuously surveys, then is a number that believe are undervalued.
As to the merits of the findings, one might think that not all crash deaths correspond to the lines, especially when we refer to small birds, but the fact that precisely locate just below the power lines, and not in sections of control and the fact that discoveries occur in certain lines and not in others (cases truly significant in the number of accidents), suggests that all birds have died localized clashes with the cables, Except for the two cases who died by electrocution in the posts. Remains
Bustard killed by colliding with power lines.
Total miles of lines leaflet was 292, divided into the following categories:
• Lying low voltage: 77 km
• Lying medium voltage: 42 Km
• Routing high voltage, a third class: 82 miles
• power lines, the second category: 23 Kms
• power lines, first class: 25 miles
• power lines, Special category: 43 Kms KMS LINES
• TOTAL ROUTES: 292 km
Remains of dead stork collision.
findings The number of birds has been uneven 55, of which 49 correspond to 24 different species, while the remaining 6, the degree of deterioration and the lack of remains belong to species not has been possible to identify.
Alcaraván collision killed by electric cable.
With respect to the importance of the species found, we will establish the extent of this based on the Regional Catalogue Species Endangered Extremadura:
Endangered
1
Sensitive Habitat Alteration of Vulnerable
14 2 31
Special Interest
not including 1 unidentified 6
The result of data analysis concludes that the lines with add higher incidence in distance of 86 kms in the Zepa, ie 29.45% of total lines, and yet they encompass 40 findings, ie 72.72%. These figures are worrying enough, but the figures can be narrow even more, if we consider that in the aforementioned sections are particularly trouble lying. So, in 40 kms of lines (13.7% of total) 34 findings have emerged, which accounts for 61.81% of all cases. Another
Bustard lying dead under supposedly was well signposted.
The Case of the Great Bustard is especially significant, because they belong to this species 9 of the findings, equivalent to 16.36% of the total. Just keep in mind that (thankfully) none of the lines through areas of vital importance to that species, or large population centers, and the dangerous lines for these birds pass through the edges of cores rather small, and therefore the findings pertain to all populations certainly waste in which in recent years has been appreciating a slight population decline, which could largely be attributed to the accident rate of the birds on power lines.
The data in our view are devastating, and should be more than sufficient for the Directorate General of the Environment to study the possibility of proposing effective solutions, as the burying of some sections and upgrading and / or modification of signs in rest.
3 .- Fencing.
is obvious that with the means at our disposal could not prospect for all existing fences in the area under study, since to do so would hundreds of volunteers needed for a long period of time, which is why the initial draft prospect raised a sample as representative as possible of the whole. The criteria for selection of the sample were very simple, choosing to do a total of 8 places, as representative as possible of the Zepa de La Serena y Sierras Peripheral. In this sample, 4 areas were in open areas with natural grass and had the presence of steppe birds in which the problem is known by collision with fences (mostly Avutardas), other 2 areas steppe landscape, but with little presence of birds above and the predominance of fields, 1 saw hillside area with bushes and trees and 1 adehesado land area.
again before presenting data, it should be noted that the high incidence of predation makes us think that some birds may have been transported a considerable distance and is therefore not new findings, while obviously think not all accidents that have occurred as a result of the collision with the wire would have meant the more or less immediate death of the birds, but some (number unknown) could have survived the crash and have moved in search of shelter, away from prospected areas. Remains
Bustard
killed by collision with fence .
Due to the above, the number of findings must be seen as a fraction of which would be if they were carried almost continuously surveys, then is a number that believe are undervalued.
As to the merits of the findings, one might think that not all deaths correspond to collision with fences, especially when we refer to small birds, but precisely the fact that all the birds are located just right in the very edge of the wire and not in control paths, which are found only in certain fences and not others, suggests that all birds located han muerto como consecuencia de accidentes por choques con las vallas.
Polla de Agua muerta por enganche con alambre de espino .
Por otra parte, en el proyecto inicial estaba previsto establecer una comparación entre los cerramientos señalizados y los que no, eligiendo para ello dentro de la muestra una parte de los cerramientos que fueron señalizados durante la realización del Proyecto LIFE “Gestión de la ZEPA-LIC de La Serena y Sierras Periféricas” llevado a cabo por la Dirección General de Medio Natural de la Junta de Extremadura durante los años 2002 a 2004. Sin embargo no se pudo establecer dicha comparación de forma válida por el fact that in all cases there was a degree of deterioration in the signs (plastic sheets), it was hard to find in the fences, because almost all were broken and on the ground, sometimes visible and other hidden by the grass, but in any case not performing any function, around which we chose not to make any comparisons to understand that if final results appeared in some kind of difference this would only be attributable to chance.
prospected Total miles on foot has risen to 102, being located a total of 35 findings, distributed as follows: Type of Area
No. records located% of the total area
grassland plains with steppe zone
28 80.00 2 5.71
grain hillside scrub Area 2 Area of \u200b\u200bpasture
5.71 3 8.58 TOTAL 35 100
Real Owl injured on barbed wire. The injuries kept him in a recovery center for over a year.
With respect to the importance of the species found, we will establish the extent of this based on the Regional Catalogue of Threatened Species Extremadura:
Endangered
0
Sensitive Alteration Vulnerable
its Habitat 10 1 23 Special Interest
Not included 1
The expression of pain of this Bustard caught by the neck to cross the fence, says it all.
If we consider that covering a total of 102 kms (think perfectly valid sample) 35 birds have appeared, and if we consider that the total miles of fencing on the Zepa can be estimated in a range between 1,800 and 2,300, could be the case that the total number of birds rough would be between 582 and 744. With regard to the Great Bustard, again the most affected species in number, with 7 findings (20% of total), if the 7 findings appeared in a total of 54 km of fencing in areas conducive prospected for these birds, and if we calculate that in the Zepa under study may exist between 270 and 320 miles of fencing in areas frequented by the Great Bustard, the number of these that could be located would be 35 to 41, we consider that these figures are truly outrageous. Crane
to engage in wire dead trying to cross a small flight.
The data in our view are devastating, and should be more than sufficient for the Directorate General of the Environment to study the possibility of proposing effective solutions such as appropriate signage for all existing fences in areas high potential of steppe birds, and of course the requirement for environmental impact assessment and implementation of appropriate corrective measures such as compulsory marking of fences suitable materials (metal) and the creation of steps to birds when the installation of new fencing.
4 .- Roads.
As in previous cases it is estimated that the number of findings is only a small fraction of actual cases, by counting only those which appeared in the street (during the tours was virtually impossible to see who might be in the gutter) and by the known fact that virtually any animal victim of being preyed road ends, or else completely destroyed by the tires of vehicles.
In this particular case, also record the findings for birds, was used to record for mammals and reptiles. Ratchet
killed by accident on the highway.
The total mileage was 164, which multiplied by the 4 different surveys that were made to do amounts to a total of 656 kilometers of roads, and a total of 24 miles by dirt tracks , multiplied by the 4 surveys involving 96 kilometers. The sum total is 752 kilometers prospected.
The total number of dead animals located (including birds) is 97, which were identified and the remaining 81 (16) could not be identified. Of these animals 71 were birds, 20 were mammals and 6 were reptiles.
Regarding the importance of the species found, once again we will establish the extent of this based on the Regional Catalogue of Threatened Species Extremadura: Young
Montagu's Harrier killed by vehicles in road. A more frequent case than it might seem.
A) Birds:
Endangered 0
Species Sensitive to habitat alteration
Vulnerable 2 2 49
Special Interest
not included 2
B) Mammals:
Endangered
0
Sensitive to habitat alteration Vulnerable 1 0
Special Interest 1 2
not including C) Reptiles:
Endangered
0
sensitive to habitat disturbance Vulnerable
0 0
Special Interest 6
5 .- Conclusions.
view of the results have shown above, it can be concluded without any reservations, which analyzed infrastructure (Powerlines, fences and roads) seriously affect the avifauna of the enclave of Zepa Peripheral La Serena y Sierras. " Given the considerable mortality of birds from different species and their importance, we consider to be undertaken as quickly as possible all actions aimed at minimizing the problems described, especially with regard to the first two paragraphs (power lines and fences), proceeding to the burial of dangerous sections of lines and the effective signaling of all fences dangerous to steppe birds.
Similarly, despite the validity of the data obtained, considers it essential to repeat the survey in the future to determine more accurately the true extent of the problems described, especially if carried out activities to minimize or solve these problems.
Moreover, although the results may be valid and transferable to other areas in Extremadura, we believe that it would conduct similar studies in other protected areas to determine the extent of the accident on the same, where the infrastructure may or may not them, and to a lesser or greater extent.
The future of the Great Bustard populations in farming areas, as is the case of La Serena, goes through a complete adaptation and signaling to the wire, which at present represent a real drain.
Finally add that these data should be carefully taken into account when carrying out environmental impact assessments for the design of new power lines, and to require mandatory in the future is the realization of such reports environmental impact and the subsequent corrective measures, when installing new fences, at least in areas with bustard.
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