Synergistic effect of land-use and vegetation greenness on vulture nestling body condition in arid ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Climate-driven environmental change and land-use change often interact in their impact on biodiversity, but these interactions have received little scientific attention. Here we study the effects of climate-driven environmental variation (i.e. vegetation greenness) and land-use (protected versus unprotected areas) on body condition of vulture nestlings in savannah landscapes. We combine ringing data on nestling measurements of two vultures (lappet-faced and African white-backed vulture) with land-use and environmental variables. We show that body condition of white-backed vulture nestlings decreased through the study period and was lowest inside protected areas. For the lappet-faced vulture, nestling condition was improved during harsh years with lower than average vegetation greenness ass

SUBMITTER: Santangeli A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6115393 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature