Papers by Mariagrazia Bellio
Biological Conservation, 2013
Many of the world's lagoons and estuaries, representing the most important habitat for shorebirds... more Many of the world's lagoons and estuaries, representing the most important habitat for shorebirds, are increasingly degraded, often associated with dramatic declines in shorebirds, particularly in Asia. We investigated effects of hydrology on shorebird communities of two coastal lagoons of a Ramsar site in southeast Sri Lanka. One of the lagoons (Bundala) experienced natural water level fluctuations, while the other (Embilikala) had high stable water levels (>10 cm), maintained by inflows from irrigated agriculture. These inflows dramatically affected composition and abundance of shorebird communities and their prey. Tactile and visual foraging shorebirds were consistently more abundant on Bundala than Embilikala lagoon. Their feeding efficiency was significantly (50%) higher on Bundala, where large (500 lm) benthic prey were more abundant than on Embilikala. Contrastingly, small (60 lm) planktonic prey dominated the hydrologically stable Embilikala lagoon where pelagic foraging shorebird species dominated the shorebird community. On both lagoons, visual and tactile species foraged predominantly in shallow water (1-10 cm). Pelagic shorebirds also foraged in water depths >10 cm but 20% less efficiently than in shallower water. Effective shorebird conservation depends on reducing anthropogenic impacts that detrimentally affect functional processes and habitat value. The detrimental effect of altered hydrology on Embilikala lagoon could be reversed by diverting drainage water. Re-establishing a natural hydroperiod, would increase the productivity of the lagoon for foraging shorebirds. Restoration of shorebird habitat on this Ramsar site could also improve other ecosystem services such as fisheries and tourism. Changes to the hydrology of coastal lagoons elsewhere may be similarly affected.
Marine and Freshwater Research, 2017
Asia is experiencing an alarming rate of inland wetlands loss, posing a risk to the future long-t... more Asia is experiencing an alarming rate of inland wetlands loss, posing a risk to the future long-term survival of many species depending on these ecosystems. This review on the status and conservation of the little curlew (Numenius minutus) aims to draw attention to the conservation challenges faced by migratory shorebird species using the inland wetlands of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Extensive and systematic research survey efforts along the EAAF have focused on species using coastal and tidal areas rather than on species using inland wetlands. Knowledge gaps include functional ecology and physiological responses to quality of food resources, population trends, migratory strategy and the role species play in supporting ecosystems resilience. Studies using remote sensing and geographic information system techniques to track the movements of birds along the flyway and to map habitat condition will prove essential in the future to allow a better understanding of the dyn...
Bird Conservation International, 2017
Summary The Numeniini is a tribe of 13 wader species (Scolopacidae, Charadriiformes) of which sev... more Summary The Numeniini is a tribe of 13 wader species (Scolopacidae, Charadriiformes) of which seven are Near Threatened or globally threatened, including two Critically Endangered. To help inform conservation management and policy responses, we present the results of an expert assessment of the threats that members of this taxonomic group face across migratory flyways. Most threats are increasing in intensity, particularly in non-breeding areas, where habitat loss resulting from residential and commercial development, aquaculture, mining, transport, disturbance, problematic invasive species, pollution and climate change were regarded as having the greatest detrimental impact. Fewer threats (mining, disturbance, problematic native species and climate change) were identified as widely affecting breeding areas. Numeniini populations face the greatest number of non-breeding threats in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, especially those associated with coastal reclamation; related threa...
International Journal of Orientation & Mobility, 2021
The notion that dog-human interactions have the potential to mitigate impacts concerning the dela... more The notion that dog-human interactions have the potential to mitigate impacts concerning the delay of typical development of social skills in humans is a novel concept. Research evidence concerning three aspects of social-cognition: sensory perception of socialcues, theory of mind and learning social-schemas, were reviewed with the scope to explore this notion. Literature from two different fields of research inquiry: animal-behaviour and neuroscience, was evaluated. Emerging from the animal-behavioural studies' review was that aspects of dog behaviour could be a functional analogue of human behaviour (e.g. perception of social-cues). Neuroscience research theories concerning the functional role of the mirror neuron system in social-cognition in humans were evaluated against evidence from animal-behavioural studies investigating the relationship between dogs and children with socio-communicative developmental delays (e.g. vision impairment, Autism). It emerged that both fields of research suggested that through "embodied simulations" an alternative (e.g. to language and/or vision) approach to acquiring knowledge concerning the world of social interactions may be possible for individuals who present with developmental delays of social-competence. Within this context it is suggested that dog-human interactions may provide learning opportunities for development of social-competence in individuals with vision impairment. Implications for practice for the disability sector and specific examples for professionals who work with individuals who have vision impairment and assistance/therapy dogs are discussed.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion
Marine and Freshwater Research
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Papers by Mariagrazia Bellio