Knowledge of factors influencing waterbird distribution is a crucial step that would help wetland... more Knowledge of factors influencing waterbird distribution is a crucial step that would help wetland managers to target their conservation efforts. In this work, we used a 2-year survey in 25 wetlands distributed throughout Morocco to model Podicipedidae and Rallidae spatial distribution and to assess the relevance of a set of environmental and anthropogenic factors in predicting site occupancy, by means of generalised linear mixed models (GLMM). In Podicipedidae, little grebes and great crested grebes were the most commonly detected species, while in Rallidae the most common species was the common moorhen. Geographical location (measured mainly as distance to the coastline and elevation) was the major predictor of the occurrence probability of breeding Podicipedidae and Rallidae species in Morocco. Statistical analyses also provide evidence that there exists a geographical selection gradient in wetland occupancy. Indeed, Podicipedidae species (great crested grebes and black-necked grebes) tend to use continental mountain wetlands, while Rallidae (purple swamphens and Eurasian coots) tend instead to use coastal wetlands. However, none of the considered environmental and anthropogenic factors explained the distribution patterns of the red-knobbed coot. The pursuit of the investigations, while considering other explanatory factors such as water quality (limnological data), diet, predation and conservation status, is of great importance for understanding basic, large-scale geographical distribution patterns of Moroccan waterbird populations.
In 2011, we investigated the breeding performance of two wader species, Black-winged Stilt Himant... more In 2011, we investigated the breeding performance of two wader species, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola in a natural habitat, marshes, and in an artificial one, salinas (saltpans), in the Sidi Moussa-Walidia wetland complex on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Data on nest-placement, clutch-size, egg-dimensions, nest-density, egg-laying chronology and hatching-success were collected from 117 nests: 31 of Black-winged Stilt (25 in marshes and 6 in salinas) and 86 of Collared Pratincole (36 in marshes and 50 in salinas). The results show no consistent differences in nest-density, clutch-size, egg-dimensions or nesting success between the two habitats. However, in both habitat types and species, variations were found in the distribution of nest initiation over the breeding season. Both habitats appeared to provide similar nesting conditions for Black-winged Stilts and Collared Pratincoles. Nonetheless, further research is needed to dete...
... In: A Rocha Observatory report for the year 1993. Portimão: A Rocha. pp 4750. Kosztolanyi A,... more ... In: A Rocha Observatory report for the year 1993. Portimão: A Rocha. pp 4750. Kosztolanyi A, Javed S, Küpper C, Cuthill IC, Al Shamsi A, Székely T. 2009. Breeding ecology of Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus in an extremely hot environment. Bird Study 56: 244252. ...
Boughaba. No such survey has ever been conducted
before in Morocco to study the change in number ... more Boughaba. No such survey has ever been conducted before in Morocco to study the change in number of breeding duck species in the country. Overall results have shown the appearance of new breeding species in the site : Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Other species have become more regular like Gadwall (Anas strepera) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) while the vulnerable Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) continue to breed in this wetland with numbers that remain stable though the numbers of females with ducklings are decreasing in these two species. The number of breeding ducks species in this wetland is the highest in Morocco and in the Maghreb. The overall results showed that the numbers of Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Ferruginous Duck are markedly increasing following the same expansion patterns at both regional and Mediterranean levels. The initiation of similar researches on other wetlands is essential to assess the abundance of duck populations and indicate trends of this breeding waterfowl group at larger scales.
This work describes the breeding biology of Lapwings in two coastal Atlantic wetlands (Merja Zerg... more This work describes the breeding biology of Lapwings in two coastal Atlantic wetlands (Merja Zerga and Merja Bargha) in N Morocco. Nests were monitored in two habitats (wet meadows and Spartina grasslands) during five years (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010). Breeding phenology, colony size, clutch size, egg dimensions, and hatching success were determined and compared between habitats. Egg-laying took place during the second half of March. Clutch-size was similar to that of European populations but egg-volume was different. Average hatching success over the whole study and in the two habitats was 70.1% (n = 78). Nests suffered higher losses owing to human disturbance (65.2%, n = 23) particularly grazing activity. There is a need for urgent management and conservation efforts aimed at reducing the negative impact of humans on this wader in the only African breeding area situated along the Moroccan Atlantic coast.
ABSTRACT Knowing the population size of game is a basic prerequisite to determining adequate hunt... more ABSTRACT Knowing the population size of game is a basic prerequisite to determining adequate hunting management and conservation strategies and setting up appropriate hunting quotas. This study compared three methods complete count, capture–recapture and N-mixture modelling to estimate a turtle dove Streptopelia turtur breeding population using nest counts. We randomly sampled 143 fruit farms (60 orange orchards and 83 olive orchards) situated in an irrigated area in Morocco at the peak of breeding activity. We calculated the probability of detecting active turtle dove nests using information from two observers who independently searched the same sample plots. We found that (a) the capture–recapture method provided more precise results of nest abundance than N-mixture modelling, and that (b) the probability of nest detection was noticeably different between the two study orchards—higher in the orange orchards than in the olive orchards. Although these two methods are easy to implement and cost-effective for estimating population abundance on a large spatial scale, our results demonstrate that the resulting estimates are prone to bias depending on the tree height of the plantations. Of the three methods for estimating turtle dove abundance, complete counts were preferable for assessing population size. Using the complete counts, the density of turtle dove nests was found to be 2.96 nests/ha in the orange orchards and 0.93 nests/ha in the olive orchards. A density extrapolation to the entire surface area of the Tadla Region indicated a minimum breeding population size of 58,969 pairs (95 % confidence interval: 48,550–69,353).
Capsule Although subject to human disturbance Turtle Doves do nest successfully in these olive an... more Capsule Although subject to human disturbance Turtle Doves do nest successfully in these olive and orange orchards.Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Turtle Doves in a man‐made agricultural habitat in central Morocco.Methods Turtle Dove nests were monitored in orange and olive orchards over three years (2006, 2007 and 2008). Nest abundance, nest location, egg‐laying chronology, clutch size, nest survival
The present study investigates the population trends of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (... more The present study investigates the population trends of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Podicipedidae: Podicidae) over 5 years (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013) in three Middle Atlas wetlands (Aguelmam Afennourir, Dayet Aoua and Dayet Ifrah). Using generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution, we demonstrated that the number of Black-necked Grebe breeding pairs has varied significantly and positively over the 5 years and between the three study wetlands. The annual population growth rate of the three colonies was 0.48 (±0.01). This positive trend is consistent with the current Least Concern conservation status of the IUCN Red List. Further more detailed studies are, however, needed to improve our understanding on the mechanisms driving the population increase in this part of North Africa. This remains a prerequisite for proper population conservation and management.
Capsule Rocky platforms provide better nesting conditions than sandy beaches.Aim To investigate t... more Capsule Rocky platforms provide better nesting conditions than sandy beaches.Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola in two different coastal Atlantic habitats in northwest Morocco.Methods Collared Pratincole nests were monitored in two coastal Atlantic habitats (sandy and rocky habitats) during two years (2003 and 2004). Breeding phenology, colony size and density, clutch size, egg dimensions, nest
Capsule The number of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni breeding pairs in Morocco has varied signific... more Capsule The number of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni breeding pairs in Morocco has varied significantly and positively over thirteen years (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), between six colonies and over the 13-year period at each colony. The mean growth rate was λ = 1.13 ± 0.02. This positive trend is consistent with the current Least Concern conservation status of the species in the IUCN Red List.
Knowledge of factors influencing waterbird distribution is a crucial step that would help wetland... more Knowledge of factors influencing waterbird distribution is a crucial step that would help wetland managers to target their conservation efforts. In this work, we used a 2-year survey in 25 wetlands distributed throughout Morocco to model Podicipedidae and Rallidae spatial distribution and to assess the relevance of a set of environmental and anthropogenic factors in predicting site occupancy, by means of generalised linear mixed models (GLMM). In Podicipedidae, little grebes and great crested grebes were the most commonly detected species, while in Rallidae the most common species was the common moorhen. Geographical location (measured mainly as distance to the coastline and elevation) was the major predictor of the occurrence probability of breeding Podicipedidae and Rallidae species in Morocco. Statistical analyses also provide evidence that there exists a geographical selection gradient in wetland occupancy. Indeed, Podicipedidae species (great crested grebes and black-necked grebes) tend to use continental mountain wetlands, while Rallidae (purple swamphens and Eurasian coots) tend instead to use coastal wetlands. However, none of the considered environmental and anthropogenic factors explained the distribution patterns of the red-knobbed coot. The pursuit of the investigations, while considering other explanatory factors such as water quality (limnological data), diet, predation and conservation status, is of great importance for understanding basic, large-scale geographical distribution patterns of Moroccan waterbird populations.
In 2011, we investigated the breeding performance of two wader species, Black-winged Stilt Himant... more In 2011, we investigated the breeding performance of two wader species, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola in a natural habitat, marshes, and in an artificial one, salinas (saltpans), in the Sidi Moussa-Walidia wetland complex on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Data on nest-placement, clutch-size, egg-dimensions, nest-density, egg-laying chronology and hatching-success were collected from 117 nests: 31 of Black-winged Stilt (25 in marshes and 6 in salinas) and 86 of Collared Pratincole (36 in marshes and 50 in salinas). The results show no consistent differences in nest-density, clutch-size, egg-dimensions or nesting success between the two habitats. However, in both habitat types and species, variations were found in the distribution of nest initiation over the breeding season. Both habitats appeared to provide similar nesting conditions for Black-winged Stilts and Collared Pratincoles. Nonetheless, further research is needed to dete...
... In: A Rocha Observatory report for the year 1993. Portimão: A Rocha. pp 4750. Kosztolanyi A,... more ... In: A Rocha Observatory report for the year 1993. Portimão: A Rocha. pp 4750. Kosztolanyi A, Javed S, Küpper C, Cuthill IC, Al Shamsi A, Székely T. 2009. Breeding ecology of Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus in an extremely hot environment. Bird Study 56: 244252. ...
Boughaba. No such survey has ever been conducted
before in Morocco to study the change in number ... more Boughaba. No such survey has ever been conducted before in Morocco to study the change in number of breeding duck species in the country. Overall results have shown the appearance of new breeding species in the site : Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Other species have become more regular like Gadwall (Anas strepera) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) while the vulnerable Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) continue to breed in this wetland with numbers that remain stable though the numbers of females with ducklings are decreasing in these two species. The number of breeding ducks species in this wetland is the highest in Morocco and in the Maghreb. The overall results showed that the numbers of Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Ferruginous Duck are markedly increasing following the same expansion patterns at both regional and Mediterranean levels. The initiation of similar researches on other wetlands is essential to assess the abundance of duck populations and indicate trends of this breeding waterfowl group at larger scales.
This work describes the breeding biology of Lapwings in two coastal Atlantic wetlands (Merja Zerg... more This work describes the breeding biology of Lapwings in two coastal Atlantic wetlands (Merja Zerga and Merja Bargha) in N Morocco. Nests were monitored in two habitats (wet meadows and Spartina grasslands) during five years (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010). Breeding phenology, colony size, clutch size, egg dimensions, and hatching success were determined and compared between habitats. Egg-laying took place during the second half of March. Clutch-size was similar to that of European populations but egg-volume was different. Average hatching success over the whole study and in the two habitats was 70.1% (n = 78). Nests suffered higher losses owing to human disturbance (65.2%, n = 23) particularly grazing activity. There is a need for urgent management and conservation efforts aimed at reducing the negative impact of humans on this wader in the only African breeding area situated along the Moroccan Atlantic coast.
ABSTRACT Knowing the population size of game is a basic prerequisite to determining adequate hunt... more ABSTRACT Knowing the population size of game is a basic prerequisite to determining adequate hunting management and conservation strategies and setting up appropriate hunting quotas. This study compared three methods complete count, capture–recapture and N-mixture modelling to estimate a turtle dove Streptopelia turtur breeding population using nest counts. We randomly sampled 143 fruit farms (60 orange orchards and 83 olive orchards) situated in an irrigated area in Morocco at the peak of breeding activity. We calculated the probability of detecting active turtle dove nests using information from two observers who independently searched the same sample plots. We found that (a) the capture–recapture method provided more precise results of nest abundance than N-mixture modelling, and that (b) the probability of nest detection was noticeably different between the two study orchards—higher in the orange orchards than in the olive orchards. Although these two methods are easy to implement and cost-effective for estimating population abundance on a large spatial scale, our results demonstrate that the resulting estimates are prone to bias depending on the tree height of the plantations. Of the three methods for estimating turtle dove abundance, complete counts were preferable for assessing population size. Using the complete counts, the density of turtle dove nests was found to be 2.96 nests/ha in the orange orchards and 0.93 nests/ha in the olive orchards. A density extrapolation to the entire surface area of the Tadla Region indicated a minimum breeding population size of 58,969 pairs (95 % confidence interval: 48,550–69,353).
Capsule Although subject to human disturbance Turtle Doves do nest successfully in these olive an... more Capsule Although subject to human disturbance Turtle Doves do nest successfully in these olive and orange orchards.Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Turtle Doves in a man‐made agricultural habitat in central Morocco.Methods Turtle Dove nests were monitored in orange and olive orchards over three years (2006, 2007 and 2008). Nest abundance, nest location, egg‐laying chronology, clutch size, nest survival
The present study investigates the population trends of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (... more The present study investigates the population trends of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Podicipedidae: Podicidae) over 5 years (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013) in three Middle Atlas wetlands (Aguelmam Afennourir, Dayet Aoua and Dayet Ifrah). Using generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution, we demonstrated that the number of Black-necked Grebe breeding pairs has varied significantly and positively over the 5 years and between the three study wetlands. The annual population growth rate of the three colonies was 0.48 (±0.01). This positive trend is consistent with the current Least Concern conservation status of the IUCN Red List. Further more detailed studies are, however, needed to improve our understanding on the mechanisms driving the population increase in this part of North Africa. This remains a prerequisite for proper population conservation and management.
Capsule Rocky platforms provide better nesting conditions than sandy beaches.Aim To investigate t... more Capsule Rocky platforms provide better nesting conditions than sandy beaches.Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola in two different coastal Atlantic habitats in northwest Morocco.Methods Collared Pratincole nests were monitored in two coastal Atlantic habitats (sandy and rocky habitats) during two years (2003 and 2004). Breeding phenology, colony size and density, clutch size, egg dimensions, nest
Capsule The number of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni breeding pairs in Morocco has varied signific... more Capsule The number of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni breeding pairs in Morocco has varied significantly and positively over thirteen years (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), between six colonies and over the 13-year period at each colony. The mean growth rate was λ = 1.13 ± 0.02. This positive trend is consistent with the current Least Concern conservation status of the species in the IUCN Red List.
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Papers by Saâd Hanane
before in Morocco to study the change in number of breeding duck species in the country. Overall results
have shown the appearance of new breeding species in the site : Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Common
Pochard (Aythya ferina) and White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Other species have become more
regular like Gadwall (Anas strepera) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) while the vulnerable Marbled
Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) continue to breed in this wetland
with numbers that remain stable though the numbers of females with ducklings are decreasing in these two
species. The number of breeding ducks species in this wetland is the highest in Morocco and in the Maghreb.
The overall results showed that the numbers of Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Ferruginous
Duck are markedly increasing following the same expansion patterns at both regional and Mediterranean
levels. The initiation of similar researches on other wetlands is essential to assess the abundance of duck populations
and indicate trends of this breeding waterfowl group at larger scales.
before in Morocco to study the change in number of breeding duck species in the country. Overall results
have shown the appearance of new breeding species in the site : Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Common
Pochard (Aythya ferina) and White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Other species have become more
regular like Gadwall (Anas strepera) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) while the vulnerable Marbled
Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) continue to breed in this wetland
with numbers that remain stable though the numbers of females with ducklings are decreasing in these two
species. The number of breeding ducks species in this wetland is the highest in Morocco and in the Maghreb.
The overall results showed that the numbers of Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Ferruginous
Duck are markedly increasing following the same expansion patterns at both regional and Mediterranean
levels. The initiation of similar researches on other wetlands is essential to assess the abundance of duck populations
and indicate trends of this breeding waterfowl group at larger scales.