Spatial Variation in Nest‐Site Selection and Population Dynamic of Blue‐Throated Bee‐Eater in a Human‐Altered Landscape: Implications for Conservation

• Published in: Ecology and evolution Vol. 15; no. 7; pp. e71828 - n/a
• Main Authors: Fan, Haiying, Guo, Weibin, Deng, Yanhui, Huang, Zuhao, Chen, Jiaping, Ke, Dianhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2025; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Biodiversity; blue‐throated bee‐eater; Conservation; Conservation practices; Data analysis; Environmental protection; Forests; Genetic diversity; habitat fragmentation; Habitats; Human influences; Landscape preservation; Loam soils; long‐term study; Monitoring; Nesting; nest‐site selection; Population; Population decline; population dynamic; Population dynamics; Predation; Protected areas; Protected species; Seasons; Site selection; Spatial variations; Vegetation; Wildlife conservation; Jiangxi China; China; nest‐site selection; blue‐throated bee‐eater; population dynamic; long‐term study; habitat fragmentation
• ISSN: 2045-7758; 2045-7758
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71828

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic activities are among the primary drivers of global biodiversity decline. In conservation practice, monitoring population parameters and clarifying habitat requirements constitute fundamental prerequisites for developing effective strategies. Long‐term research addresses these needs through systematic population monitoring and comprehensive data analysis, establishing critical foundations for biodiversity preservation. This study presents a 15‐year dataset on Merops viridis—a nationally protected avian species in China—documenting spatial shifts in nest‐site selection driven by anthropogenic habitat modification and revealing a consistent annual population decline. Our results demonstrate that alterations in nesting habitat critically influence population dynamics, providing theoretical support for evidence‐based conservation strategies. We further discuss potential drivers of observed changes in nest‐site selection and population decline, advocating for the urgent establishment of large‐scale protected areas targeting sandy floodplands to safeguard this species. Our results indicate that alterations in the nesting site habitat have a crucial impact on population dynamics. This study offers valuable decision‐making foundations for the enhanced conservation of blue‐throated bee‐eaters.