documented in mountainous ecosystems (del Hoyo et al. 1994; Margalida 2010a),
130 of which are present on the southern face of the Pyrenees (Spain). In this
region, several management and conservation actions have been carried out during
the last 30 years to improve the status of the species. The historical decline in
Europe has been associated with anthropogenic actions, mainly poisoning and
direct persecution (Margalida et al. 2008a; Margalida 2010a). Significant human
and economic efforts have been dedicated to recovering this threatened species in
Europe to reverse its negative population demographic trend (i.e. conservation
programmes and reintroduction projects), through funds provided by several life
projects, administrations and NGOs (Schaub et al. 2009; Margalida 2010a).
Here, I show several examples of the research obtained from a long-term study
in this threatened species inhabiting mountain biomes, in this case, the Pyrenees
(Spain, France and Andorra). The primary goal is to highlight, based on some case
study examples (see Carrete et al. 2006a, b; Margalida et al. 2008a, 2014a; Oro
et al. 2008), the importance of long-term studies to obtain accurate data for conservation purposes.
15.2 A Long-Term Study Initiated in 90s
In 1992, a search for the SCI papers indexed as “Gypaetus barbatus” showed that
until this year, only seven papers had been published about the species. The main
information was provided on books (Hiraldo et al. 1979; Heredia and Heredia 1990;
Mundy et al. 1992) and the unpublished thesis by Chris J. Brown about the subspecies Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in Southern Africa (Brown 1988). General
aspects of breeding ecology were provided, but several essential aspects of the
ecology and demography were lacking. Under this scenario, the Spanish Ministry
of Environment and the autonomous governments of Catalunya, Navarra and
Aragón started different conservation actions in this difficult to study species. At the
beginning of 90s, under the recovery plan for the bearded vulture applied by the
different administrations (Navarra, Catalunya and Aragón) and a Life project, Spain
started with the regular monitoring and study of the breeding biology of the species
(see Heredia and Heredia 1990; Margalida and Heredia 2005). With this background, the main goals were as follows (see Margalida 2010a):
• Describe the behaviour, demography and ecology of the bearded vulture
• Evaluate the conservation measures already implemented and the future problems that the conservation of the species will have to confront
• Identify the factors causing the species’ decline
• Develop management recommendations for its recovery
• Optimise the management of bearded vulture populations from the standpoint of
conservation biology.
15 Importance of Long-Term Studies to Conservation …
345
130 of which are present on the southern face of the Pyrenees (Spain). In this
region, several management and conservation actions have been carried out during
the last 30 years to improve the status of the species. The historical decline in
Europe has been associated with anthropogenic actions, mainly poisoning and
direct persecution (Margalida et al. 2008a; Margalida 2010a). Significant human
and economic efforts have been dedicated to recovering this threatened species in
Europe to reverse its negative population demographic trend (i.e. conservation
programmes and reintroduction projects), through funds provided by several life
projects, administrations and NGOs (Schaub et al. 2009; Margalida 2010a).
Here, I show several examples of the research obtained from a long-term study
in this threatened species inhabiting mountain biomes, in this case, the Pyrenees
(Spain, France and Andorra). The primary goal is to highlight, based on some case
study examples (see Carrete et al. 2006a, b; Margalida et al. 2008a, 2014a; Oro
et al. 2008), the importance of long-term studies to obtain accurate data for conservation purposes.
15.2 A Long-Term Study Initiated in 90s
In 1992, a search for the SCI papers indexed as “Gypaetus barbatus” showed that
until this year, only seven papers had been published about the species. The main
information was provided on books (Hiraldo et al. 1979; Heredia and Heredia 1990;
Mundy et al. 1992) and the unpublished thesis by Chris J. Brown about the subspecies Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in Southern Africa (Brown 1988). General
aspects of breeding ecology were provided, but several essential aspects of the
ecology and demography were lacking. Under this scenario, the Spanish Ministry
of Environment and the autonomous governments of Catalunya, Navarra and
Aragón started different conservation actions in this difficult to study species. At the
beginning of 90s, under the recovery plan for the bearded vulture applied by the
different administrations (Navarra, Catalunya and Aragón) and a Life project, Spain
started with the regular monitoring and study of the breeding biology of the species
(see Heredia and Heredia 1990; Margalida and Heredia 2005). With this background, the main goals were as follows (see Margalida 2010a):
• Describe the behaviour, demography and ecology of the bearded vulture
• Evaluate the conservation measures already implemented and the future problems that the conservation of the species will have to confront
• Identify the factors causing the species’ decline
• Develop management recommendations for its recovery
• Optimise the management of bearded vulture populations from the standpoint of
conservation biology.
15 Importance of Long-Term Studies to Conservation …
345