Keywords
migratory birds | conservation | population trends | population declines
Scientific project
Temperate regions experience major variations in the composition of their avian communities over the year depending on seasonal fluctuations in available resources (1). As winter approaches in Europe, birds that have finished breeding adopt different strategies to cope with the scarcity of resources:
– resident species remain in the same place or move little during the winter season (e.g., great spotted woodpecker);
– short-distance migrants fly to nearby southern regions, either in Europe or in North Africa (e.g., red kite);
– long-distance migrants cross the Sahara to spend winter in tropical or temperate southern Africa (e.g., barn swallows).
As birds show diverse migratory habits in response to environmental conditions, different populations of a species may differ in terms of migratory strategies (e.g., blackbirds are migratory in the northern part of their range and resident elsewhere).
There is mounting evidence that population trends of European birds differ according to their migration strategies, with long-distance migrants experiencing greater declines than residents and short-distance migrants (2). We may therefore be witnessing a reorganisation in the composition of avian communities, to the detriment of species that migrate further and in favour of less mobile ones. This process is not necessarily occurring uniformly across different European countries, because countries vary in their geographical position in relation to the African-Eurasian migratory flyway, and because bird populations in different countries are exposed to different pressures.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between migratory strategy and demographic trends in bird populations. More specifically, the objectives of this M2 project are to:
1) explore spatial patterns of migration strategies across European countries;
2) test whether there is evidence of a reorganisation in the composition of avian communities depending on migratory strategies, and investigating how this varies across European countries.
The project will use data from standardised national monitoring programmes compiled by the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), such as the Suivi Temporel d’Oiseaux Commun (STOC) in France. Specifically, we will use PECBMS data on the population trends of common bird species in each of different European countries.
In practice, the M2 student will:
– 1) review the literature to build a database classifying the national bird populations monitored through the PECBMS according to their migration strategy;
– 2) map how the different migration strategies vary across European countries, and discuss the spatial patterns observed;
– 3) incorporate data on population trends to investigate if and how these patterns are changing across time, and discuss variation across European countries.
(1) Somveille, M., et al. (2013) Mapping global diversity patterns for migratory birds. PLoS ONE 8, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070907
(2) Vickery, J.A., et al. (2023) The conservation of Afro-Palaearctic migrants: What we are learning and what we need to know?. Ibis, 165: 717-738. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13171
Work conditions
– Location: Centre d’Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive (CEFE), Montpellier. The student will integrate team Movement, Abundance, Distribution (MAD).
– Legal gratification (€4.35 per hour, i.e. about €600 per month)
– Duration: 5-6 months (January/February to June 2025)
– Supervision: main supervisor Etienne Henry (PhD student), supported by Ana Rodrigues (researcher CNRS). In collaboration with: Inês Catry (researcher CIBIO, Portugal) and Stanislas Rigal (postdoc INRAE)
– The project will include a trip to southern Portugal to participate in fieldwork on migratory birds (rollers, lesser kestrels and white storks).
Student profile
This is a computer-based project including literature review and analysis of spatial and temporal data.
Requirements:
– Solid academic background in Ecology
– Good experience using R
– Good experience with statistical analyses
– At ease with the English language (for reading scientific literature and discussing with collaborators)
– Enthusiasm, curiosity and good collaboration skills
The following will be a plus:
– Naturalist experience, ideally including birds
– Experience in working with GIS
Application
Deadline for applications: 17 October
Please send to etienne.henry@cefe.cnrs.fr: CV + motivation letter + M1 grades and ranks
Include in the motivation letter:
– Why you think you will be a suitable candidate for this project;
– Why you think this project would be good for you;
– The email address of someone who has worked closely with you (e.g., your M1 supervisor) and who would be happy to be contacted by us in case you are shortlisted.
Interviews will take place from 28-30 October.
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