LIA COURTLIA COURT Dept. of Natural Resources & Envir. Management, Haifa University & Golan Research inst , Israel

YOHAY CARMELYOHAY CARMEL Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel

OFER BAHATOFER BAHAT Raptor Conservation Project, SPNI & INPA, Israel

IDO IZHAKIIDO IZHAKI Dept. of Biology, Haifa University at Oranim, Israel

Land-Use Effect on the Land-Use Effect on the Foraging and Feeding of Foraging and Feeding of Eurasian Griffon Vultures Eurasian Griffon Vultures

((Gyps fulvusGyps fulvus)) inin Northern IsraelNorthern Israel

The Eurasian Griffon VultureThe Eurasian Griffon Vulture ((Gyps fulvusGyps fulvus))

Europe Asia

Africa

Resident

Eurasian Vulture World Eurasian Vulture World DistributionDistribution

Israel

Griffon Vultures are gregariousGriffon Vultures are gregarious

Roosting ColonyRoosting Colony

ReproductionReproduction

High (60-70%) chick mortality

Rickets and Artifacts in NestlingsRickets and Artifacts in Nestlings

Lack of Calcium

Feeding Station and Bone FragmentsFeeding Station and Bone Fragments

Supplement of crashed bones

Research GoalResearch Goal

Identify the effect of land use and Identify the effect of land use and other environmental factors on the other environmental factors on the

foraging and feeding patterns of foraging and feeding patterns of Griffon vulturesGriffon vultures

Research AreaResearch Area Research AreaResearch Area

AfricaAfrica

AsiaAsia

EuropeEurope

IsraelIsrael

Med

iterr

anea

n

Med

iterr

anea

n

Sea

Sea

EgyptEgypt

Jord

an

Jord

an

LebanonLebanon

Syr

iaS

yria

Tested Independent VariablesTested Independent Variables

• SettlementsSettlements• RoadsRoads• Power linesPower lines• Water reservoirsWater reservoirs• Army fire zonesArmy fire zones• Nature reservesNature reserves• Grazing intensityGrazing intensity• Planted Trees Planted Trees

II. Land Use

III. Environmental factors

• TopographyTopography

• VegetationVegetation

• ClimateClimate

• Size – length & weight Size – length & weight

• SpeciesSpecies

• age age

• sexsex

• Condition Condition

• Availability time (since death)Availability time (since death)

I. Carcass characteristicsThe The dependent variabledependent variable was the usage of was the usage of

carcasses by Griffon vultures carcasses by Griffon vultures

MethodsMethodsData analysisData analysis

• Locating and Locating and characterizing carcassescharacterizing carcasses

• Observations on usage by Observations on usage by vultures and other vultures and other scavengersscavengers

• Locating active nesting and Locating active nesting and roosting sitesroosting sites

• Digital relevant data layers Digital relevant data layers of land usesof land uses

• Spatial analysis – GISSpatial analysis – GIS

Creating a modelCreating a model to predict usage of to predict usage of available food by Griffon Vulturesavailable food by Griffon Vultures

• Statistical analysisStatistical analysis

ResultsResults

Total of 237 carcasses – 83% CattleTotal of 237 carcasses – 83% Cattle

The rest - Horses, Sheep, Wild Boars, The rest - Horses, Sheep, Wild Boars, Gazelles & DogsGazelles & Dogs

Logistic Regression ModelLogistic Regression ModelVariableVariableBBPP Value Value

Food Availability TimeFood Availability Time-0.3290.0000.000

Distance from TreesDistance from Trees0.0010.0000.000

Army Fire ZoneArmy Fire Zone1.4370.0010.001

Distance Power LinesDistance Power Lines0.00040.0040.004

Nature ReserveNature Reserve-1.0460.0320.032

Distance from Nest SiteDistance from Nest Site-9.9*10-50.0330.033

AspectAspect0.0040.0480.048

Carcass LengthCarcass Length0.0040.0500.050

ConstantConstant2.4270.076

RR22 = 0.494 = 0.494

Food Availability TimeFood Availability Time(Time since the death of the animal)(Time since the death of the animal)

010203040506070

1 2 3 4 5-7 8-14 >14Days

No

. of C

arca

sses

Used

Not Used

26=64.54, P<0.01

Distance from TreesDistance from Trees(Plantations & Orchards)(Plantations & Orchards)

0

10

20

30

40

50

0-100 100-500 500-1500 >1500

Distance from Trees (m)

No

. of

Ca

rca

ss

es

Used

Not Used2

3=10.63, P<0.05

Active Army Fire ZonesActive Army Fire Zones

0

20

40

60

80

100

Yes NoActive Fire Zone

No

. of C

arca

sses

Used

Not Used

21=1.56, P>0.05

Distance from Power LineDistance from Power Line

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0-100 100-500 500-1500 1500-2500 >2500

Distance from Power Lines (m)

No

. of

Ca

rca

ss

es

Used

Not Used

24=10.7, P<0.05

Distance from nesting sitesDistance from nesting sites

0

10

20

30

40

50

0-5 5-10 10-15 >15Distance (Km)

No

. of

Ca

rca

ss

es

Used

Not Used2

3=13.83, P<0.01

ConclusionsConclusions We have successfully established a model We have successfully established a model

that predicts the optimal location of that predicts the optimal location of carcasses for Griffon vulture usage.carcasses for Griffon vulture usage.

The model may be used as :

• Tool for making management of the Griffon vultures more efficient and beneficial

• Environmental planning aid to predict future development scenarios impact

• Contribute to conservation and rehabilitation in order to repair anthropogenic damages

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Many ThanksMany Thanks

• The farmers and citizens of the Golan HeightsThe farmers and citizens of the Golan Heights

• Nature Reserve and Parks Authority wardensNature Reserve and Parks Authority wardens

• My devoted tutors My devoted tutors

• The Golan Research Institute and Garelik The Golan Research Institute and Garelik family for the generous grantfamily for the generous grant

• And last but not least, my supportive family And last but not least, my supportive family that has been touring with methat has been touring with me the Golan fieldsthe Golan fields