INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
The effect of introduced species on raptors
Autor/es:
SPEZIALE, K. L.; LAMBERTUCCI, S. A.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
Editorial:
RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC
Referencias:
Lugar: Lawrence, Kansas; Año: 2012
ISSN:
0892-1016
Resumen:
Biological invasions are considered one of the major threats to the Earth?s biota and their prevention and control are widely suggested. A key step within this is to gather knowledge and data on the impacts of introduced species on native species. In such analysis it is important to consider both the negative effects and the fact that many ?non-natives? have grown to become key components of existing ecosystems. The effects of non-natives are particularly worrisome for raptors because they hold high trophic positions and their ecological role can structure native communities. In this paper we look at the impacts of introduced species on raptors, as well as the interest in studying these effects, through a review of the literature. The numbers of studies on raptors and introduced species as individual topics are rapidly increasing, but despite this we found few articles relating the two topics and fewer still with a clear aim of studying this relationship. Although the number of articles found was low, articles showing negative effects outnumbered articles showing positive ones. Negative effects identified included native prey decrease and direct or indirect poisoning through poisons aiming to protect productive introduced species from predators or to control introduced pests. Positive effects identified included distribution area extension facilitated by introduced species or non-native species as a food source. Very importantly, native species can become dependent on introduced species, and any control merits careful evaluation. In conclusion, the implications of non-native species for this key group of top predators and scavengers have been poorly considered, but merits special attention and specific design in future studies.