The Rannametsa Dunes, a coastal formation of the Litorina Sea, have been under different kinds of... more The Rannametsa Dunes, a coastal formation of the Litorina Sea, have been under different kinds of protection since the 18th century. In the 19th-20th centuries the dune forests along the coast of the Gulf of Riga had the legal status of soil protection forests. The main reason to protect the area in the late 20th century was the aesthetic and recreational value of the landscape. The well lighted dune forests, rich in blackberries, red bilberries and mushrooms, have attracted people picking berries, hiking, jogging and skiing. The dune habitat is poor in plant diversity; however, various rare animal species are breeding there. Therefore the conservation highlights have moved from protecting beautiful magnificent landscapes toward protecting the habitat with special qualities for different species of the food chain.
Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been... more Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been hypothesized to be either reliable signals (handicaps) or amplifiers that facilitate the message of a signal. In barn swallows,Hirundo rustica , the size of the white spots in the tail feathers is sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with feather length. We tested whether such spots act as handicaps or amplifiers. These white spots affect sexual selection in barn swallows, as shown by an experiment in which we randomly subjected males to (1) a considerable reduction of the size of all the spots by the use of a black permanent marker pen, (2) a small reduction of the size of the spots, or (3) no reduction. There was a positive association between spot size and the number of offspring produced per season. The white tail spots were preferred by feather-eating Mallophaga as a feeding site: holes made by Mallophaga were more abundant in the white spots than expected by chance. A habi...
Kuid niihasti linnustik kui teadmised selle kohta on pidevas muutumises ja nBuavad jatkuvat varas... more Kuid niihasti linnustik kui teadmised selle kohta on pidevas muutumises ja nBuavad jatkuvat varasemate seisukohtade korrigeerimist. Kaesolev too peaks saama uueks luliks niisuguste kaasajastamiste ahelas. Artiklis esitame Eesti linnustiku uue liiginimestiku, hinnangud pesitsusaegse arvukuse ja selle muutuste ning (esmakordselt) ka kesktalvise arvukuse kohta. Samuti puuame naidata erinevate liikide uurituse taset, mis vdimaldaks paremini planeerida edasist tood. * kBik vaatlused I all records: ** pesitsusteated I breeding records; *** vaatlused miirgitud ajavahemikul I records in given period **** kaik vaatlused jiirgmiste alamliikide kohta: ameerika vaikeluik (Cygnus columbianus columbianus), labe-mustlagle (Branta bernicla hrota), mustpea-hkilane (Motacilla flava feldegg), siberi vaike-lehelind (Phylloscopus collybita tristis), lake-sabatihane (Aegithalos caudatus europaeus) ja 1Buna-urvalind (Carduelis flammea cabaret) ! all records about the following subspecies: Cygnus columbianus columbianus, Branta bernicla hrota, Motacillajlava feldegg, Phylloscopus collybita tristis, Aegithalos caudatus europaeus and Carduelisflarnrnea cabaret.
Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local e... more Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local environmental conditions. However, few studies have investigated patterns of phenotypic selection across large spatial scales. We quantified the intensity of selection on morphology in a monogamous passerine bird, the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, using 6495 adults from 22 populations distributed across Europe and North Africa. According to the classical Darwin-Fisher mechanism of sexual selection in monogamous species, two important components of fitness due to sexual selection are the advantages that the most attractive males acquire by starting to breed early and their high annual fecundity. We estimated directional selection differentials on tail length (a secondary sexual character) and directional selection gradients after controlling for correlated selection on wing length and tarsus length with respect to these two fitness components. Phenotype and fitness components differed significantly among populations for which estimates were available for more than a single year. Likewise, selection differentials and selection gradients differed significantly among populations for tail length, but not for the other two characters. Sexual selection differentials differed significantly from zero across populations for tail length, particularly in males. Controlling statistically for the effects of age reduced the intensity of selection by 60 to 81%, although corrected and uncorrected estimates were strongly positively correlated. Selection differentials and gradients for tail length were positively correlated between the sexes among populations for selection acting on breeding date, but not for fecundity selection. The intensity of selection with respect to breeding date and fecundity were significantly correlated for tail length across populations. Sexual size dimorphism in tail length was significantly correlated with selection differentials with respect to breeding date for tail length in male barn swallows across populations. These findings suggest that patterns of sexual selection are consistent across large geographical scales, but also that they vary among populations. In addition, geographical patterns of phenotypic selection predict current patterns of phenotypic variation among populations, suggesting that consistent patterns of selection have been present for considerable amounts of time.
ABSTRACT Screening is a crucial stage in the environmental assessment process, because by this pr... more ABSTRACT Screening is a crucial stage in the environmental assessment process, because by this process a decision is made whether or not further assessment of a plan or project is required, and by doing so, the likelihood of implementing plans and projects harming the environment is to be decreased. In the Habitats Directive, it is explicitly stated that the competent authority should ascertain that no harm will be done to EU sites belonging to the Natura 2000 network before authorisation for further action is granted. A review of some of the national guidance documents concerning the Natura Assessment developed by EU Member States showed diversity in the scope and depth prescribed for the assessment. A five-year review of screening decisions in Estonia demonstrated that the Habitats Directive and the respective EU guidelines are poorly applied. The majority of the EIA and SEA screening decisions in 2004–2009 did not consider the impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Those decisions that did consider them addressed primarily the location-induced aspects of the proposed plan or project, with respect to the location of the relevant Natura 2000 site. Less than one third of decisions considered location, likely effects and their significance together. In the rest of the cases, the reasoning was missing or unclear. Since the study demonstrated important deficiencies in the screening stage of the Natura Assessment, the Estonian EIA Act urgently needs to be modified to comply fully with the requirements of the Habitats Directive and to ensure that the conservation objectives of nearly 600 Estonian Natura 200 sites are not compromised.
Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been... more Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been hypothesized to be either reliable signals (handicaps) or amplifiers that facilitate the message of a signal. In barn swallows,Hirundo rustica , the size of the white spots in the tail feathers is sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with feather length. We tested whether such spots act as handicaps or amplifiers. These white spots affect sexual selection in barn swallows, as shown by an experiment in which we randomly subjected males to (1) a considerable reduction of the size of all the spots by the use of a black permanent marker pen, (2) a small reduction of the size of the spots, or (3) no reduction. There was a positive association between spot size and the number of offspring produced per season. The white tail spots were preferred by feather-eating Mallophaga as a feeding site: holes made by Mallophaga were more abundant in the white spots than expected by chance. A habitat choice experiment with Mallophaga on barn swallow tail feathers revealed that they preferred white spots over black parts of the tail feathers. We therefore expected long-tailed male barn swallows to have more Mallophaga than short-tailed males. However, the opposite relationship was observed, indicating that long-tailed males may reliably signal their quality by the presence of large white tail spots without parasite damage. Thus white tail spots in barn swallows appear to be a reliable signal of phenotypic quality.
The long outermost tail feathers of barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots that are large... more The long outermost tail feathers of barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots that are larger in males than in females and in adults than in juveniles. Spot size increases with age among adults and is positively correlated with tail length. We tested the functional signi®cance of these white spots by randomly assigning males to either of three groups during spring:
The Rannametsa Dunes, a coastal formation of the Litorina Sea, have been under different kinds of... more The Rannametsa Dunes, a coastal formation of the Litorina Sea, have been under different kinds of protection since the 18th century. In the 19th-20th centuries the dune forests along the coast of the Gulf of Riga had the legal status of soil protection forests. The main reason to protect the area in the late 20th century was the aesthetic and recreational value of the landscape. The well lighted dune forests, rich in blackberries, red bilberries and mushrooms, have attracted people picking berries, hiking, jogging and skiing. The dune habitat is poor in plant diversity; however, various rare animal species are breeding there. Therefore the conservation highlights have moved from protecting beautiful magnificent landscapes toward protecting the habitat with special qualities for different species of the food chain.
Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been... more Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been hypothesized to be either reliable signals (handicaps) or amplifiers that facilitate the message of a signal. In barn swallows,Hirundo rustica , the size of the white spots in the tail feathers is sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with feather length. We tested whether such spots act as handicaps or amplifiers. These white spots affect sexual selection in barn swallows, as shown by an experiment in which we randomly subjected males to (1) a considerable reduction of the size of all the spots by the use of a black permanent marker pen, (2) a small reduction of the size of the spots, or (3) no reduction. There was a positive association between spot size and the number of offspring produced per season. The white tail spots were preferred by feather-eating Mallophaga as a feeding site: holes made by Mallophaga were more abundant in the white spots than expected by chance. A habi...
Kuid niihasti linnustik kui teadmised selle kohta on pidevas muutumises ja nBuavad jatkuvat varas... more Kuid niihasti linnustik kui teadmised selle kohta on pidevas muutumises ja nBuavad jatkuvat varasemate seisukohtade korrigeerimist. Kaesolev too peaks saama uueks luliks niisuguste kaasajastamiste ahelas. Artiklis esitame Eesti linnustiku uue liiginimestiku, hinnangud pesitsusaegse arvukuse ja selle muutuste ning (esmakordselt) ka kesktalvise arvukuse kohta. Samuti puuame naidata erinevate liikide uurituse taset, mis vdimaldaks paremini planeerida edasist tood. * kBik vaatlused I all records: ** pesitsusteated I breeding records; *** vaatlused miirgitud ajavahemikul I records in given period **** kaik vaatlused jiirgmiste alamliikide kohta: ameerika vaikeluik (Cygnus columbianus columbianus), labe-mustlagle (Branta bernicla hrota), mustpea-hkilane (Motacilla flava feldegg), siberi vaike-lehelind (Phylloscopus collybita tristis), lake-sabatihane (Aegithalos caudatus europaeus) ja 1Buna-urvalind (Carduelis flammea cabaret) ! all records about the following subspecies: Cygnus columbianus columbianus, Branta bernicla hrota, Motacillajlava feldegg, Phylloscopus collybita tristis, Aegithalos caudatus europaeus and Carduelisflarnrnea cabaret.
Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local e... more Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local environmental conditions. However, few studies have investigated patterns of phenotypic selection across large spatial scales. We quantified the intensity of selection on morphology in a monogamous passerine bird, the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, using 6495 adults from 22 populations distributed across Europe and North Africa. According to the classical Darwin-Fisher mechanism of sexual selection in monogamous species, two important components of fitness due to sexual selection are the advantages that the most attractive males acquire by starting to breed early and their high annual fecundity. We estimated directional selection differentials on tail length (a secondary sexual character) and directional selection gradients after controlling for correlated selection on wing length and tarsus length with respect to these two fitness components. Phenotype and fitness components differed significantly among populations for which estimates were available for more than a single year. Likewise, selection differentials and selection gradients differed significantly among populations for tail length, but not for the other two characters. Sexual selection differentials differed significantly from zero across populations for tail length, particularly in males. Controlling statistically for the effects of age reduced the intensity of selection by 60 to 81%, although corrected and uncorrected estimates were strongly positively correlated. Selection differentials and gradients for tail length were positively correlated between the sexes among populations for selection acting on breeding date, but not for fecundity selection. The intensity of selection with respect to breeding date and fecundity were significantly correlated for tail length across populations. Sexual size dimorphism in tail length was significantly correlated with selection differentials with respect to breeding date for tail length in male barn swallows across populations. These findings suggest that patterns of sexual selection are consistent across large geographical scales, but also that they vary among populations. In addition, geographical patterns of phenotypic selection predict current patterns of phenotypic variation among populations, suggesting that consistent patterns of selection have been present for considerable amounts of time.
ABSTRACT Screening is a crucial stage in the environmental assessment process, because by this pr... more ABSTRACT Screening is a crucial stage in the environmental assessment process, because by this process a decision is made whether or not further assessment of a plan or project is required, and by doing so, the likelihood of implementing plans and projects harming the environment is to be decreased. In the Habitats Directive, it is explicitly stated that the competent authority should ascertain that no harm will be done to EU sites belonging to the Natura 2000 network before authorisation for further action is granted. A review of some of the national guidance documents concerning the Natura Assessment developed by EU Member States showed diversity in the scope and depth prescribed for the assessment. A five-year review of screening decisions in Estonia demonstrated that the Habitats Directive and the respective EU guidelines are poorly applied. The majority of the EIA and SEA screening decisions in 2004–2009 did not consider the impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Those decisions that did consider them addressed primarily the location-induced aspects of the proposed plan or project, with respect to the location of the relevant Natura 2000 site. Less than one third of decisions considered location, likely effects and their significance together. In the rest of the cases, the reasoning was missing or unclear. Since the study demonstrated important deficiencies in the screening stage of the Natura Assessment, the Estonian EIA Act urgently needs to be modified to comply fully with the requirements of the Habitats Directive and to ensure that the conservation objectives of nearly 600 Estonian Natura 200 sites are not compromised.
Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been... more Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been hypothesized to be either reliable signals (handicaps) or amplifiers that facilitate the message of a signal. In barn swallows,Hirundo rustica , the size of the white spots in the tail feathers is sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with feather length. We tested whether such spots act as handicaps or amplifiers. These white spots affect sexual selection in barn swallows, as shown by an experiment in which we randomly subjected males to (1) a considerable reduction of the size of all the spots by the use of a black permanent marker pen, (2) a small reduction of the size of the spots, or (3) no reduction. There was a positive association between spot size and the number of offspring produced per season. The white tail spots were preferred by feather-eating Mallophaga as a feeding site: holes made by Mallophaga were more abundant in the white spots than expected by chance. A habitat choice experiment with Mallophaga on barn swallow tail feathers revealed that they preferred white spots over black parts of the tail feathers. We therefore expected long-tailed male barn swallows to have more Mallophaga than short-tailed males. However, the opposite relationship was observed, indicating that long-tailed males may reliably signal their quality by the presence of large white tail spots without parasite damage. Thus white tail spots in barn swallows appear to be a reliable signal of phenotypic quality.
The long outermost tail feathers of barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots that are large... more The long outermost tail feathers of barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots that are larger in males than in females and in adults than in juveniles. Spot size increases with age among adults and is positively correlated with tail length. We tested the functional signi®cance of these white spots by randomly assigning males to either of three groups during spring:
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