Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T19:50:04.246Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco since 1900: Analysis of ecological requirements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2019

ANDRE SCHENKER ,
FABIAN CAHENZLI ,
KARL G. GUTBROD ,
MICHEL THEVENOT  and
ANDREAS ERHARDT
ANDRE SCHENKER*
Affiliation:
Gartenstrasse 4, 4142 Münchenstein, Switzerland.
FABIAN CAHENZLI
Affiliation:
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Department of Crop Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland.
KARL G. GUTBROD
Affiliation:
meteoblue AG, Greifengasse 38, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
MICHEL THEVENOT
Affiliation:
353 chemin des Mendrous, 34170 Castelnau-le-Lez, France.
ANDREAS ERHARDT
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Botanical Institute, Schönbeinstrasse 6, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
*
*Author for correspondence; e-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The Northern Bald Ibis (NBI) Geronticus eremita, is an ‘Endangered’ bird species of which only very few wild breeding colonies have survived along the Atlantic coast of south-west Morocco. This paper analyses ecological conditions of the 72 breeding sites of the NBI that have been known since 1900 in Morocco. Characterisation of breeding sites is based on physical criteria (elevation above sea level, geomorphology, mean annual precipitation and types of landscape) as well as land use, vegetation cover, infrastructure and types of settlement within three perimeters (0–1 km, > 1–5 km and > 5–10(20) km) using Google Earth satellite images. Statistical analyses of the number of breeding pairs, fledglings and rainfall during different quarters of the year from 1994 to 2016 in the two remaining breeding sites in Souss-Massa National Park and Tamri showed expected patterns as well as unexpected differences between the two localities. Based on our findings and indications in the literature, we suggest general and specific recommendations for potential future translocation projects of the NBI. Based on the analysis of the 28 breeding colonies existing after 1977, two elements emerge as the most important prerequisites: a low level of disturbances at the breeding sites and adequate feeding areas at a reasonable distance of 5–15 km.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 117 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © BirdLife International 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abécassis, F. (2009) La mise en place du réseau routier marocain: Aperçu historique. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/halsh-00435869/documentGoogle Scholar
Ait Brahim, Y., Seif-Ennasr, M., Malki, M., N’da, B., Choukr-Allah, R., El Morjani, Z. E. A., Sifeddine, A., Abahous, H. and Bouchaou, L. (2017) Assessment of climate and land use changes: Impacts on groundwater resources in the Souss-Massa River basin. Pp. 121–142 in Choukr-Allah, R. et al., eds. The Souss-Massa River basin, Morocco. Cham: Springer. doi:10.1007/698_2016_71Google Scholar
Akçakaya, H. R. (1990) Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population in Turkey: an evaluation of the captive breeding project for reintroduction. Biol. Conserv. 51: 225–237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Akesbi, N. (2001) Les exploitations agricoles au Maroc: Diagnostic à la lumière du Recensement Général Agricole. Medit. J. Econ. Agri. Env. 12: 2–11.Google Scholar
Aourir, M., Bousadik, H., El Bekkay, M., Oubrou, W., Znari, M. and Qninba, A. (2017) New breeding sites of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Internatn. J. Avian & Wildl. Biol. 2: 1–4.Google Scholar
Banque, Mondiale (2017) Population totale au Maroc. https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/indicateur/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=MAGoogle Scholar
Bédé, P. (1926) Notes sur l’ornithologie du Maroc. Mém. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc 16: 25–150.Google Scholar
Benabid, A. (2000) Flore et écosystèmes du Maroc: évaluation et préservation de la biodiversité. Paris, France and Rabat, Morocco: Ibis Press.Google Scholar
Berlioz, M. J. (1926) Contributions à l’ornithologie de l’Afrique du Nord. Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat. Paris 261–265.Google Scholar
BirdLife International (2018) Species factsheet Geronticus eremita. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/11/2018.Google Scholar
Böhm, C. and Pegoraro, K. (2011) Der Waldrapp. Hohenwarsleben, Germany: Westarp Wissenschaften-Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.Google Scholar
Boehm, C. (2016) Problems and demands of the selection of release sites for the northern Bald Ibis. Pp. 24–28 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. (2016) Northern Bald Ibis conservation and translocation workshop. Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Bowden, C. G. R. (ed.) (2015) International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Northern Bald Ibis, Geronticus eremita. Bonn, Germany: UNEP/AEWA Technical Series No. 55.Google Scholar
Bowden, C. G. R. and Smith, K. W. (1997) Research Project Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in the Souss-Massa National Park and Tamri 1994–1996. Unpublished report.Google Scholar
Bowden, C. G. R., Aghnaj, A., Smith, K. W. and Ribi, M. (2003) The status and recent breeding performance of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Ibis 145: 419–431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bowden, C. G. R., Smith, K. W., El Bekkay, M., Oubrou, W., Aghnaj, A. and Jimenez-Armesto, M. (2008) Contribution of research to conservation action for the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco. Bird Conserv. Internatn. 18: S74–S90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bowden, C. G. R., Boehm, C, Lopez, J. M. and Hatipoglu, T. (2016) Draft update to release guidelines and methodology for Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Pp. 14–23 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. (2016) Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Translocation Workshop. Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Brosset, A. (1957) Etude de quelques associations en Afrique du Nord. Alauda 25: 122–132.Google Scholar
Brosset, A. (1961) Ecologie des oiseaux du Maroc oriental. Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Phys. Maroc 36: 299–306.Google Scholar
Brosset, A. and Petter, J.-J. (1966) Dynamique des populations d’oiseaux au Maroc oriental. Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Phys. Maroc 46: 399–405.Google Scholar
Chabot, M. (1923) Capture d’un ibis comata au Maroc. Rev. Française Orn. 15: 89–90.Google Scholar
Collar, N. J. and Stuart, S. N. (1985) Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita (Linnaeus, 1758). Pp. 74–108 in Threatened birds of Africa and related islands. Cambridge, UK: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book Part 1.Google Scholar
Dereliev, S. (2016) Translocation in the context of the AEWA Northern Bald Ibis international Single Species Action Plan. Pp. 68–71 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Translocation Workshop. Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
El Bekkay, M., Oubrou, W., Ribi, M., Smith, K. and Bowden, C. (2007) Un programme de conservation pour l’ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita) au Maroc. Ostrich 78: 155–157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fellous, A. (2004) A short review of the historical distribution of the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) in Algeria. Int. Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI), IAGNBI Newsletter 3: 48–49.Google Scholar
Fellous, A. (2011) Last data on the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) in Algeria. http://northernbaldibis.blogspot.com/2011/12/last-data-on-northern-bald-ibis.htmlGoogle Scholar
Fritz, J. and Riedler, B. (2010) Renewed hope of survival for one of the Middle East’s rarest birds: donation of juveniles to the remaining Northern Bald Ibises. Int. Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI). www.iagnbi.org/en/downloadsGoogle Scholar
Fritz, J., Hofmann, W. and Unsöld, M. (2016) Back into European ecosystems: The LIFE+ Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction project in Central Europe. Pp. 47–56 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. (2016) Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Translocation Workshop . Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Hartert, E. (1928) A rush through Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, and collecting in the Moroccan Atlas, in 1927. Nov. Zool. 34: 337–371.Google Scholar
Hartert, E. and Jourdain, F. C. R. (1923) The hitherto known birds of Marocco. Nov. Zool. 30: 91–146.Google Scholar
Hatipoglu, T. (2016) Conservation project, Birecik, Turkey. Pp. 40–46 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. Northern Bald Ibis conservation and translocation workshop. Report of 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis IAGNBI meeting Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Hirsch, U. (1976) Beobachtungen am Waldrapp Geronticus eremita in Marokko und Versuch einer Bestimmung der Alterszusammensetzung von Brutkolonien. Ornithol. Beob. 73: 225–235.Google Scholar
Hirsch, U. (1978) Zum Schutz des Waldrapps (Geronticus eremita). J. Ornithol. 119: 465–466.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hirsch, U. (1979) Studies of west Palearctic birds: 183 Bald Ibis. Brit. Birds 72: 313–325.Google Scholar
Hirsch, U. (1980) Der Waldrapp Geronticus eremita, ein Beitrag zur Situation in seinem östlichen Verbreitungsgebiet. Vogelwelt 101: 219–236.Google Scholar
Hunter, D. M., Walker, P. W. and Elder, R. J. (2001) Adaptations of locusts and grasshoppers to the low and variable rainfall of Australia. J. Orthoptera Res. 10: 347–351.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kumerloeve, H. (1962) Zur Geschichte der Waldrapp-Kolonie in Birecik am oberen Euphrat. J. Ornithol. 103: 389–398.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsell, J., Serra, G., Peske, L., Abdullah, M. S., Al Qaim, G., Kanani, A. and Wondafrash, M. (2009) Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of Middle East population of Critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Oryx 43: 329–335.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lopez, J. M. and Quevedo, M. A. (2016) Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction program in Andalusia. Pp. 57–67 in Boehm, C and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Translocation Workshop. Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Magin, C. (2001) Morocco. Pp. 603–626 in Fishpool, L. C. D. and Evans, M. I., eds. Important bird areas in Africa and associated islands: Priority sites for conservation. Newbury and Cambridge, UK: Pisces Publications and BirdLife International.Google Scholar
Meade-Waldo, E. G. B. (1903) Bird-notes from Morocco and the Great Atlas. Ibis 8: 196–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meinertzhagen, R. (1940) Autumn in Central Morocco. Part II. Ibis 4: 187–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meserve, P. L., Vasquez, H., Kelt, D. A., Gutierrez, J. R. and Milstead, W. B. (2016) Patterns in arthropod abundance and biomass in the semiarid thorn scrub of Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile: A preliminary assessment. J. Arid Environ . 126: 68–75CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche Maritime (2011) L’agriculture marocaine en chiffres 2010. http://www.agriculture.gov.ma/sites/default/files/MA-AGRI%20EN%20CHIFFRES-VF.pdfGoogle Scholar
Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts (2017) L’agriculture en chiffres 2016. http://www.agriculture.gov.ma/pages/publications/lagriculture-en-chiffres-2016Google Scholar
Ministère de l’Equipement, du Transport, de la Logistique et de l’Eau (2017) Infrastructures routières. http://www.equipement.gov.ma/routier/Infrastructures-Routieres/Reseau-Routier-du-Royaume/Pages/Importance-du-reseau.aspxGoogle Scholar
OFEV (Office fédéral de l’environnement) et al. (2009) Protection des oiseaux sur les lignes aériennes à courant fort de tension nominale supérieure à 1 kV. https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/fr/home/themes/paysage/publications-etudes/publications/protection-des-oiseaux-sur-les-lignes-aeriennes-a-courant-fort.htmlGoogle Scholar
Oubrou, W. and El Bekkay, M. (2013) Rapport sur la reproduction 2013 de la population des Ibis chauves dans la région de Souss-Massa. Direction régionale des Eaux et Forêts et de la Lutte Contre la Désertification du Sud Ouest. http://ibis-chauve.blogspot.ch/2013/08/rapport-sur-la-reproduction-2013-de-la.htmlGoogle Scholar
Oubrou, W. and El Bekkay, M. (2014) Rapport sur la reproduction de l’Ibis chauve dans la région de Souss-Massa, Saison 2014. Direction régionale des Eaux et Forêts et de la Lutte Contre la Désertification du Sud Ouest.Google Scholar
Oubrou, W. and El Bekkay, M. (2015) Rapport sur la saison de reproduction de l’Ibis chauve Geronticus eremita dans la région de Souss-Massa, Septembre 2015. Direction régionale des Eaux et Forêts et de la Lutte Contre la Désertification du Sud Ouest.Google Scholar
Oubrou, W. and El Bekkay, M. (2016) Rapport sur la saison de reproduction de l’Ibis chauve Geronticus eremita dans la région de Souss-Massa, Octobre 2016. Direction régionale des Eaux et Forêts et de la Lutte Contre la Désertification du Sud Ouest.Google Scholar
Oubrou, W. and El Bekkay, M. (2018) Rapport sur la reproduction de l’Ibis chauve Geronticus eremita dans la region de Souss-Massa, Saison 2018. Direction régionale des Eaux et Forêts et de la Lutte Contre la Désertification du Sud Ouest.Google Scholar
Pallary, P. (1922) Note sur le régime alimentaire de l’ibis à tête chauve (Geronticus eremita L.) – un oiseau marocain à protéger. Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc 2: 48.Google Scholar
Palmer, C. M. (2010) Chronological changes in terrestrial insect assemblages in the arid zone of Australia. Env. Entomol. 39: 1775–1787.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pegoraro, K. (1996) Der Waldrapp. Vom Ibis, den man für einen Raben hielt. Wiesbaden, Germany: AULA Verlag.Google Scholar
Pfistermueller, R. (2009) Bechar el Khir project, Morocco – an update. Pp. 71–72 in Boehm, C. and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. Northern Bald Ibis conservation and reintroduction Workshop. Proceedings of 3rd Meeting of International Advisory Group for Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI), Palmyra, Syria.Google Scholar
Prinsen, H. A. M., Smallie, J. J., Boere, G. C. and Pires, N. (Compilers), (2012) Lignes directrices sur la façon d’éviter ou d’atténuer l’impact des lignes électriques sur les oiseaux migrateurs dans la region Afrique-Eurasie. Lignes diréctrices de conservation de l’AEWA no 14, Série technique de la CMS no 29, Série technique de l’AEWA no 50, Série technique no 3 du MdE Rapaces de la CMS. Germany: CMS.Google Scholar
Ragala, R. and Refass, M. (2002) Atlas du Maroc. Editions Jeune Afrique. Paris, France: Ulysse.Google Scholar
Rencurel, P. (1974) L’ibis chauve Geronticus eremita dans le Moyen Atlas. Alauda 47: 143–150.Google Scholar
Rice, P. M., Aghnaj, A., Bowden, C. G. R., Smith, K. W., Fox, H. R. and Moore, H. M. (2002) The landscape ecology of the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in the Souss-Massa National Park, southern Morocco. Pp. 264–272 in Chamberlain, D. and Wilson, A., eds. Avian landscape ecology: pure and applied issues in the large-scale ecology of birds. Proceedings of the eleventh annual IALE (UK) conference, Univ. of East Anglia.Google Scholar
Ruthke, P. (1966) Beitrag zur Vogelfauna Marokkos. Bonner zool. Beitr. 17: 186–201.Google Scholar
Schenker, A. (1977) Das ehemalige Verbreitungsgebiet des Waldrapps Geronticus eremita in Europa. Ornithol. Beob. 74: 13–30.Google Scholar
Secrétariat d’Etat auprès du Ministre de l’Equipement, du Transport, de la Logistique et le L’Eau, Chargé d’Eau (2017) Grand Barrages réalisés et Barrages en cours de réalisation. http://www.water.gov.ma/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/barrage-en-cours-de-re-alisation.pdfGoogle Scholar
Seddon, P. J. (2016) Planning for wildlife reintroduction and other conservation translocations. Pp. 74–78 in Bowden, C and Bowden, C. G. R., eds. Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Translocation Workshop. Report of the 4th International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) meeting in Seekirchen, Austria.Google Scholar
Serra, G. (2017) The last flight of the ancient guide of Hajj . Apia, Samoa: Self-published,www.thelastflight.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/LAST-FLIGHT-dicembre-2016.pdfGoogle Scholar
Serra, G., Abdallah, M., Assaed, A., Abdallah, A., Al Qaim, G., Fayad, T. and Williamson, D. (2004) Discovery of a relict breeding colony of northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita in Syria. Oryx 38: 106–108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Serra, G., Peske, L., Abdallah, M. S., al Qaim, G. and Kanani, A. (2009) Breeding ecology and behaviour of the last wild oriental Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) in Syria. J. Ornithol. 150: 769–782.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Serra, G., Lindsell, J. A., Peske, L., Fritz, J., Bowden, C. G. R., Bruschini, C., Welch, G., Tavares, J. and Wondafrash, M. (2014) Accounting for the low survival of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita on a major migratory flyway. Oryx 48: 1–9.Google Scholar
Smith, K. W., Aghnaj, A., El Bekkay, M., Oubrou, W., Ribi, M., Armesto, M. J. and Bowden, C. G. R. (2008) The provision of supplementary fresh water improves the breeding success of the globally threatened Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Ibis 150: 728–734.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Staimesse, J. P. and Billaux, P. (1978) Carte pédologique du Maroc à 1:100’000, Région du Souss. Agadir – Aït Baha. Note explicative No 72 Paris, France: ORSTOM.Google Scholar
Thévenot, M., Vernon, R. and Bergier, P. (2003) The birds of Morocco: An annotated checklist. London, UK: British Ornithologists‘ Union & British Ornithologists‘ Club. (BOU Checklist No. 20).Google Scholar
Thévenot, M., Bergier, P. and Qninba, A. (2015) Les observations d’Ibis chauves Geronticus eremita dans le Sahara Atlantique et en Afrique sub-saharienne. Go-South Bulletin 12: 33–38. www.go-south.org/?p=2557Google Scholar
Touti, J., Oumellouk, F., Bowden, C. G. R., Kirkwood, J. K. and Smith, K. (1999) Mortality incident in Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Moroco in May 1996. Oryx 33: 160–167.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yeniyurt, C., Oppel, S., Isfendiyaroglu, S., Ozkinaci, G., Erkol, I. L., and Bowden, C. G. R. (2017) Influence of feeding ecology on breeding success of a semi-wild population of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in southern Turkey. Bird Conserv. Internatn. 27: 537–549.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Schenker et al. supplementary material

Appendix S1

Download Schenker et al. supplementary material(File)
File 26.1 KB