Conservation-focused mapping of avian migratory routes using a pan-European automated telemetry network

Mitchell, Lucy; Brust, Vera; Karwinkel, Thiemo; Åkesson, Susanne; Kishkinev, Dmitry; Norevik, Gabriel; Szep, Tibor; Hedenström, Anders; Lagerveld, Sander; Helm, Barbara; Schmaljohann, Heiko

Abstract

Accelerated biodiversity loss during the Anthropocene has destabilised functional links within and between ecosystems. Migratory species that cross different ecosystems on their repeated journeys between breeding and non-breeding sites are particularly sensitive to global change because they are exposed to various, often ecosystem-specific threats. As these bring both lethal and non-lethal population impacts, many migratory species are declining, making this group especially vulnerable to global change.

To mitigate their decline, research at a continental and flyway scale is required to adequately monitor changes in the migratory and demographic processes of populations during all parts of the annual cycle. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) could provide a solution to data gaps that exist particularly for small, migratory species. Motus is an automated telemetry system for animal tracking, which provides a collaborative network by using a single VHF radio frequency for all tracked individuals, in combination with an individual tag identifier. Motus can provide information on movements made by individuals of small migrant species, thus aiding our understanding of aspects of their migration that could impact demographic parameters.
Here we describe conservation-focused research opportunities, with a particular lense on small European migrant birds. We highlight examples from the existing network, and identify geographical gaps which, if filled, could track continent-wide movements. We conclude that Motus is a useful tool to produce individual-level migration information for a variety of small-bodied taxa, and that a drive to expand the network will improve its ability to direct conservation plans for such species.

Citation

Mitchell, L., Brust, V., Karwinkel, T., Åkesson, S., Kishkinev, D., Norevik, G., Szep, T., Hedenström, A., Lagerveld, S., Helm, B., & Schmaljohann, H. (2025). Conservation-focused mapping of avian migratory routes using a pan-European automated telemetry network. Conservation Biology, Article e70017. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70017

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 15, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 24, 2025
• Publication Date: Mar 24, 2025
• Deposit Date: Dec 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 24, 2025
• Journal: Conservation Biology
• Print ISSN: 0888-8892
• Electronic ISSN: 1523-1739
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Article Number: e70017
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70017
• Keywords: migration, tracking, demographic parameters, conservation
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1019164
• Publisher URL: https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing/self-archiving.html
• Additional Information: embargo period for accepted manuscript 12 months since the publication date which is expected by 31st March 2025 so indicative lift of the embargo is 1st April 2026