2013/10/29 by Sonja Krüger, David G. Allan, Andrew R. Jenkins +1 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Environmental Science · #Avian ecology and behavior #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s0959270913000440
openalex publication_date 2013/10/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Summary Territory occupancy, distribution and density of the isolated Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis population in the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains of southern Africa were assessed between two time periods - former (1960–1999) and current (2000–2012) - to identify population trends. Overall, 190 territories were recorded of which 109 are currently occupied. The number of occupied breeding territories decreased by a minimum of 32% and a maximum of 51% over the past five decades. Territories located on the periphery of the breeding range were more likely to be abandoned than those in the core. The current population is estimated at a minimum of 352 and a maximum of 390 individuals. The breeding range decreased by 27%, restricting the birds to an estimated area of occupancy of 28,125 km 2 . Breeding densities also decreased by 20%, declining from 4.9 to 3.9 pairs/1,000 km 2 . In both periods, higher densities were recorded in the core of the range. Nests were located about 9.0 km apart, a slight increase from the 7.7 km recorded formerly. Inter-nest distances increased with distance from the core range. Further studies are required to ascertain whether productivity or survival is limiting population growth, and whether anthropogenic influences are resulting in the abandonment of territories in the periphery of the range and the subsequent decline in numbers.