The uses and implications of avian vocalizations for conservation planning |
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Authors: | Rebecca N Lewis Leah J Williams R Tucker Gilman |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL U.K.;2. North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Chester, CH2 1LH U.K. |
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Abstract: | There is a growing recognition that animal behavior can affect wildlife conservation, but there have been few direct studies of animal behavior in conservation programs. However, a great deal of existing behavioral research can be applied in the context of conservation. Research on avian vocalizations provides an excellent example. The conspicuous nature of the vocal behavior of birds makes it a useful tool for monitoring populations and measuring biodiversity, but the importance of vocalizations in conservation goes beyond monitoring. Geographic song variants with population-specific signatures, or dialects, can affect territory formation and mate choice. Dialects are influenced by cultural evolution and natural selection and changes can accumulate even during the timescale of conservation interventions, such as translocations, reintroductions, and ex situ breeding. Information from existing research into avian vocalizations can be used to improve conservation planning and increase the success of interventions. Vocalizations can confer a number of benefits for conservation practitioners through monitoring, providing baseline data on populations and individuals. However, the influence of cultural variation on territory formation, mate choice, and gene flow should be taken into account because cultural differences could create obstacles for conservation programs that bring birds from multiple populations together and so reduce the success of interventions. |
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Keywords: | behavior bioacoustics birdsong conservation interventions cultural evolution monitoring bioacústica canto de aves comportamiento evolución cultural intervenciones de conservación monitoreo 行为 保护干预措施 鸟鸣 生物声学 监测 文化演化 |
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