Long-term persistence of conservation-reliant species: Challenges and opportunities

• Published in: Biological conservation 2020-03, Vol.243, p.108452, Article 108452
• Main Authors: Gameiro, João, Franco, Aldina M.A., Catry, Teresa, Palmeirim, Jorge M., Catry, Inês
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial nests; Conservation; European Roller; Funding; Lesser Kestrel; Tourism
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108452

“Conservation-reliant species” – those fully dependent on continued management actions – are booming and, with limited conservation budgets, securing funds to sustain their long-term viability is becoming overwhelming. This study assesses the degree of dependence on conservation actions of two obligatory cavity-nesters, the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni and the European Roller Coracias garrulus, whose populations in Europe were recently recovered through artificial nest-site provisioning. Using long-term monitoring data and population surveys conducted in their main Portuguese stronghold, we examined temporal changes in the availability and use of semi-natural (cavities in rural abandoned buildings) and artificial nest-sites. We further assessed the financial costs of nest-site provisioning and evaluated the potential use of tourism revenues as a conservation funding source. Following the implementation of conservation projects, the Lesser Kestrel and Roller populations have been increasing but >65% of all breeding pairs currently nest in artificial nest-sites. Semi-natural nest-sites remain suitable for approximately 30 years and are expected to disappear by the end of this century. Lesser Kestrels and Rollers will thus become fully dependent on artificial nest-sites and sustaining their current population sizes is estimated to cost 4500€ per year. This represents