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Papers by Pietro Giovacchini

Research paper thumbnail of Inter and intra-population variability of the migratory behaviour of a short-distance partial migrant, the Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Charadriiformes, Burhinidae)

Journal of Ornithology

Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual... more Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual levels. Short-distance migrants often adopt a partial migratory strategy and tend to have a flexible migration schedule that allows a more effective response to extreme environmental variations. Weather seasonality and environmental heterogeneity have been reported as significant factors in the diversification of migratory behaviour for Mediterranean migrants, but relatively few studies investigated the migration patterns of non-passerine birds migrating within the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we investigated the migratory strategy of 40 Eurasian Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus tagged with geolocators and GPS-GSM tags and belonging to continental and Mediterranean populations of the Italian peninsula. The proportion of migrants was higher in continental populations, but we observed a significant variability also within Mediterranean populations. All birds spent the winter withi...

Research paper thumbnail of Bioblitz 2013-2014 Oasi DI San Felice

The growing interest in emerging environmental crisis has increased the level of public attention... more The growing interest in emerging environmental crisis has increased the level of public attention and the willingness<br> to take part in participatory science projects, commonly defined with the term "Citizen Science". This phenomenon can<br> be recorded globally in many national contexts, with a prevalence in anglophone and more industrialized countries. In the<br> biodiversity sector, the growing demand for public involvement has been declined in many different ways, with solutions<br> aimed at providing cognitive and participatory tools. Among these, one of the best known is the BioBlitz: a 24-hour event<br> held in a specific place with the aim of listing as many living species as possible. This work presents the data collected<br> during the first two BioBlitzes organized by the Maremma Natural History Museum in 2013 and 2014. Both were made<br> in the area of the San Felice Oasis, near the terminal part of the San Leopoldo d...

Research paper thumbnail of Eurasian Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus breeding in Italy show a remarkable inter and intra-population variability of migratory behaviour

Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual... more Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual levels. Short-distance migrants, in particular, often adopt a partial migratory strategy and tend to have a rather flexible migration schedule which allows them to respond more effectively to extreme environmental variations, like those due to climate change. Weather seasonality and environmental heterogeneity at regional and local scales have been reported as significant factors in the diversification of migratory behaviour for some species of Mediterranean migrants. Relatively few studies, however, investigated the migration patterns of non-passerine birds migrating within this area. In this study we investigated the migratory strategy of the Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus using data collected on 40 individuals tagged with geolocators and GPS-GSM tags, belonging to two continental and two Mediterranean populations of the Italian peninsula. The proportion of migrants was sig...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Conservation Project on Two Threatened Birds: Applying Expert-Based Threat Analysis and Threat Reduction Assessment in a Mediterranean Wetland

Diversity, 2022

We applied two recent approaches largely used in biological conservation: Threat Analysis (TAN) a... more We applied two recent approaches largely used in biological conservation: Threat Analysis (TAN) and Threat Reduction Assessments (TRAs), assessing the effectiveness of a project focused on two water-related bird species (common tern, Sterna hirundo and little tern, Sternula albifrons), commonly breeding in some wetlands of Italy. We used the IUCN standardized lexicon for the classification of threats, utilizing a panel of experts to assess a set of regime attributes (extent, severity and magnitude) of each human-induced disturbance. Our aims were: (i) through the TAN approach, to carry out an arrangement and quantification of the main threats acting on our focal species and select the priority ones; (ii) through the TRA approach, to test the effectiveness of an operational project focused on mitigating the threats and improving the breeding success of species (i.e., building rafts and floating islands to encourage their nesting). Using the TAN approach, experts identified the follow...

Research paper thumbnail of Strategie di migrazione di popolazioni di occhione Burhinus oedicnemus dell’Italia continentale e peninsulare: temi comuni e variazioni

Research paper thumbnail of Gli uccelli del Parco Regionale della Maremma

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2019

Vi sono sicuramente buone ragioni per portare a conclusione un progetto come questo. L’occasione ... more Vi sono sicuramente buone ragioni per portare a conclusione un progetto come questo. L’occasione è quella decisiva per ricavarne dalla sua realizzazione quelle informazioni che, in molte circostanze, attendiamo da tempo e che risultano essere essenziali per redigere, ad esempio, elenchi delle specie della flora o fauna delle nostre aree protette. Proteggere significa anche conoscere e l’acquisizione scientifica di base è imprescindibile per garantire la conservazione, valorizzazione e gestione del patrimonio naturale. Gli Uccelli rappresentano il gruppo di vertebrati più numeroso della fauna italiana: ad essi fa riferimento questo lavoro sull’avifauna del Parco Regionale della Maremma e delle zone limitrofe, lavoro che si richiama per ispirazione ad un “modello” di ornitologia ancora oggi indispensabile, di impostazione moltoniana [...].

Research paper thumbnail of Gli uccelli del Parco Regionale della Maremma e aree limitrofe (Grosseto, Toscana, Italia)

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2019

Il Parco Regionale della Maremma è una area protetta di 8902 ha nel settore costiero centrale del... more Il Parco Regionale della Maremma è una area protetta di 8902 ha nel settore costiero centrale della provincia di Grosseto, Toscana meridionale. Gli habitat che rappresentano l’area protetta possono essere così brevemente descritti: foce del fiume Ombrone e zone umide della Palude della Trappola; Monti dell’Uccellina (cima più elevata: Poggio Lecci, 417 m s.l.m.); un ampio comprensorio interno e pianeggiante dove coesistono attività zootecniche e coltivazioni agricole. Lo sviluppo costiero raggiunge i 25 km circa. Sono presenti 6 Siti della Rete Natura 2000 classificati come ZSC − Zona Speciale di Conservazione − secondo la Direttiva “Habitat” 92/43/ CE e/o come ZPS − Zona di Protezione Speciale − secondo la Direttiva “Uccelli” 2009/147/CE. La maggior parte dell’area presenta una scarsa rete viaria e limitati insediamenti umani con copertura boschiva in larga parte dovuta a formazioni vegetali sclerofilliche mediterranee. In questo lavoro viene presentato un elenco commentato degli u...

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal and geographical variations of mercury and selenium in eggs of Larus michahellis and Larus audouinii from central Mediterranean islands

Chemistry and Ecology, 2018

In this study, we determined mercury and selenium levels in abandoned unhatched eggs of the yello... more In this study, we determined mercury and selenium levels in abandoned unhatched eggs of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) and Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii) collected during 2004-2005 from the Tuscan archipelago and Sardinia (Italy). The different feeding habits of the two species probably determine the different uptakes of trace elements, as the study shows highly significant differences for selenium and mercury levels as well as shell thickness and Hg:Se molar ratio values. Audouin's gulls nesting on the coasts of the Tuscan archipelago showed significantly higher selenium levels than did gulls from colonies from the islands around Sardinia. Comparisons with a similar investigation previously conducted in the same area suggested that mercury and selenium concentrations, although in line with reports in the literature, were significantly lower than levels encountered in gulls in the early 1980s. Mercury (mg/kg d.w.) dropped from 8.631 to 5.030 in Audouin's gulls and from 2.509 to 0.828 in yellow-legged gulls. The regional decline in mercury levels following reduced use of the metal in industry and the probable food depletion effects linked to the overfishing of fish prey of these two gull species are discussed as hypotheses that could explain the decrease in mercury levels found in eggs.

Research paper thumbnail of Roosting behaviour of Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus wintering in central Italy

Wader Study Group Bulletin, Nov 22, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Preferenze Ambientali Dell’Occhione Burhinus Oedicnemus in Periodo Riproduttivo in Toscana e Lazio

Research paper thumbnail of Winter presence of Stone Curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus, in Grosseto province monitored by playback

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2012

Via del Tino, 244-I-58100 Roselle (GR) 4 Via Estonia, 24-I-58100 Grosseto Riassunto-La presenza i... more Via del Tino, 244-I-58100 Roselle (GR) 4 Via Estonia, 24-I-58100 Grosseto Riassunto-La presenza invernale dell'Occhione in provincia di Grosseto è stata studiata mediante l'uso del playback. È stato stimato il numero di animali presenti, la loro distribuzione e la scelta dell'habitat.

Research paper thumbnail of The Vocal Repertoire of the Eurasian Stone-Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2013

We collected behavioral observations and recordings of adult Eurasian Stone-curlews (Burhinus oed... more We collected behavioral observations and recordings of adult Eurasian Stone-curlews (Burhinus oedicnemus) in central and northern Italy, and of chicks in northern Italy. Eurasian Stone-curlews are highly vocal during spring and summer, and vocalize routinely, but less frequently, during fall and winter nights. Adult Eurasian Stone-curlews have a complex and relatively wide vocal repertoire composed of at least 11 different call types and some subtypes. Two of these calls (Kurlee and Gallop) are the most used and important; the Kurlee call is uttered year-round, while Gallop is uttered usually during the breeding season with a peak in spring. Adult vocalizations are structurally diverse; call syllable duration spans from , 0.1 to. 1.1 sec and average center frequency is between 2,190 to 3,037 Hz. The highest frequency is associated with a high intensity alarm call; some adult vocalizations can be compared to the loud rhythmically repeated calls which often occur in several species of Charadrii and Scolopaci. Five call types are used in well-defined circumstances suggesting specialized functions; the remaining calls are used mostly in combination with other call types, particularly Kurlee and Gallop calls. There are preferred and typical call combinations, which cannot be explained as random choices. We identified two main call types for chicks, which are completely different from adult calls and are developed before hatching. Juveniles up to 70 days of age utter these calls without major changes. We discuss preliminary data on vocal ontogenesis, as well as correspondences and differences between our findings and the existing literature on the adult repertoire.

Research paper thumbnail of Inter and intra-population variability of the migratory behaviour of a short-distance partial migrant, the Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Charadriiformes, Burhinidae)

Journal of Ornithology

Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual... more Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual levels. Short-distance migrants often adopt a partial migratory strategy and tend to have a flexible migration schedule that allows a more effective response to extreme environmental variations. Weather seasonality and environmental heterogeneity have been reported as significant factors in the diversification of migratory behaviour for Mediterranean migrants, but relatively few studies investigated the migration patterns of non-passerine birds migrating within the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we investigated the migratory strategy of 40 Eurasian Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus tagged with geolocators and GPS-GSM tags and belonging to continental and Mediterranean populations of the Italian peninsula. The proportion of migrants was higher in continental populations, but we observed a significant variability also within Mediterranean populations. All birds spent the winter withi...

Research paper thumbnail of Bioblitz 2013-2014 Oasi DI San Felice

The growing interest in emerging environmental crisis has increased the level of public attention... more The growing interest in emerging environmental crisis has increased the level of public attention and the willingness<br> to take part in participatory science projects, commonly defined with the term "Citizen Science". This phenomenon can<br> be recorded globally in many national contexts, with a prevalence in anglophone and more industrialized countries. In the<br> biodiversity sector, the growing demand for public involvement has been declined in many different ways, with solutions<br> aimed at providing cognitive and participatory tools. Among these, one of the best known is the BioBlitz: a 24-hour event<br> held in a specific place with the aim of listing as many living species as possible. This work presents the data collected<br> during the first two BioBlitzes organized by the Maremma Natural History Museum in 2013 and 2014. Both were made<br> in the area of the San Felice Oasis, near the terminal part of the San Leopoldo d...

Research paper thumbnail of Eurasian Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus breeding in Italy show a remarkable inter and intra-population variability of migratory behaviour

Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual... more Migratory behaviour in birds shows a remarkable variability at species, population and individual levels. Short-distance migrants, in particular, often adopt a partial migratory strategy and tend to have a rather flexible migration schedule which allows them to respond more effectively to extreme environmental variations, like those due to climate change. Weather seasonality and environmental heterogeneity at regional and local scales have been reported as significant factors in the diversification of migratory behaviour for some species of Mediterranean migrants. Relatively few studies, however, investigated the migration patterns of non-passerine birds migrating within this area. In this study we investigated the migratory strategy of the Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus using data collected on 40 individuals tagged with geolocators and GPS-GSM tags, belonging to two continental and two Mediterranean populations of the Italian peninsula. The proportion of migrants was sig...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Conservation Project on Two Threatened Birds: Applying Expert-Based Threat Analysis and Threat Reduction Assessment in a Mediterranean Wetland

Diversity, 2022

We applied two recent approaches largely used in biological conservation: Threat Analysis (TAN) a... more We applied two recent approaches largely used in biological conservation: Threat Analysis (TAN) and Threat Reduction Assessments (TRAs), assessing the effectiveness of a project focused on two water-related bird species (common tern, Sterna hirundo and little tern, Sternula albifrons), commonly breeding in some wetlands of Italy. We used the IUCN standardized lexicon for the classification of threats, utilizing a panel of experts to assess a set of regime attributes (extent, severity and magnitude) of each human-induced disturbance. Our aims were: (i) through the TAN approach, to carry out an arrangement and quantification of the main threats acting on our focal species and select the priority ones; (ii) through the TRA approach, to test the effectiveness of an operational project focused on mitigating the threats and improving the breeding success of species (i.e., building rafts and floating islands to encourage their nesting). Using the TAN approach, experts identified the follow...

Research paper thumbnail of Strategie di migrazione di popolazioni di occhione Burhinus oedicnemus dell’Italia continentale e peninsulare: temi comuni e variazioni

Research paper thumbnail of Gli uccelli del Parco Regionale della Maremma

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2019

Vi sono sicuramente buone ragioni per portare a conclusione un progetto come questo. L’occasione ... more Vi sono sicuramente buone ragioni per portare a conclusione un progetto come questo. L’occasione è quella decisiva per ricavarne dalla sua realizzazione quelle informazioni che, in molte circostanze, attendiamo da tempo e che risultano essere essenziali per redigere, ad esempio, elenchi delle specie della flora o fauna delle nostre aree protette. Proteggere significa anche conoscere e l’acquisizione scientifica di base è imprescindibile per garantire la conservazione, valorizzazione e gestione del patrimonio naturale. Gli Uccelli rappresentano il gruppo di vertebrati più numeroso della fauna italiana: ad essi fa riferimento questo lavoro sull’avifauna del Parco Regionale della Maremma e delle zone limitrofe, lavoro che si richiama per ispirazione ad un “modello” di ornitologia ancora oggi indispensabile, di impostazione moltoniana [...].

Research paper thumbnail of Gli uccelli del Parco Regionale della Maremma e aree limitrofe (Grosseto, Toscana, Italia)

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2019

Il Parco Regionale della Maremma è una area protetta di 8902 ha nel settore costiero centrale del... more Il Parco Regionale della Maremma è una area protetta di 8902 ha nel settore costiero centrale della provincia di Grosseto, Toscana meridionale. Gli habitat che rappresentano l’area protetta possono essere così brevemente descritti: foce del fiume Ombrone e zone umide della Palude della Trappola; Monti dell’Uccellina (cima più elevata: Poggio Lecci, 417 m s.l.m.); un ampio comprensorio interno e pianeggiante dove coesistono attività zootecniche e coltivazioni agricole. Lo sviluppo costiero raggiunge i 25 km circa. Sono presenti 6 Siti della Rete Natura 2000 classificati come ZSC − Zona Speciale di Conservazione − secondo la Direttiva “Habitat” 92/43/ CE e/o come ZPS − Zona di Protezione Speciale − secondo la Direttiva “Uccelli” 2009/147/CE. La maggior parte dell’area presenta una scarsa rete viaria e limitati insediamenti umani con copertura boschiva in larga parte dovuta a formazioni vegetali sclerofilliche mediterranee. In questo lavoro viene presentato un elenco commentato degli u...

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal and geographical variations of mercury and selenium in eggs of Larus michahellis and Larus audouinii from central Mediterranean islands

Chemistry and Ecology, 2018

In this study, we determined mercury and selenium levels in abandoned unhatched eggs of the yello... more In this study, we determined mercury and selenium levels in abandoned unhatched eggs of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) and Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii) collected during 2004-2005 from the Tuscan archipelago and Sardinia (Italy). The different feeding habits of the two species probably determine the different uptakes of trace elements, as the study shows highly significant differences for selenium and mercury levels as well as shell thickness and Hg:Se molar ratio values. Audouin's gulls nesting on the coasts of the Tuscan archipelago showed significantly higher selenium levels than did gulls from colonies from the islands around Sardinia. Comparisons with a similar investigation previously conducted in the same area suggested that mercury and selenium concentrations, although in line with reports in the literature, were significantly lower than levels encountered in gulls in the early 1980s. Mercury (mg/kg d.w.) dropped from 8.631 to 5.030 in Audouin's gulls and from 2.509 to 0.828 in yellow-legged gulls. The regional decline in mercury levels following reduced use of the metal in industry and the probable food depletion effects linked to the overfishing of fish prey of these two gull species are discussed as hypotheses that could explain the decrease in mercury levels found in eggs.

Research paper thumbnail of Roosting behaviour of Stone-curlews Burhinus oedicnemus wintering in central Italy

Wader Study Group Bulletin, Nov 22, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Preferenze Ambientali Dell’Occhione Burhinus Oedicnemus in Periodo Riproduttivo in Toscana e Lazio

Research paper thumbnail of Winter presence of Stone Curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus, in Grosseto province monitored by playback

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 2012

Via del Tino, 244-I-58100 Roselle (GR) 4 Via Estonia, 24-I-58100 Grosseto Riassunto-La presenza i... more Via del Tino, 244-I-58100 Roselle (GR) 4 Via Estonia, 24-I-58100 Grosseto Riassunto-La presenza invernale dell'Occhione in provincia di Grosseto è stata studiata mediante l'uso del playback. È stato stimato il numero di animali presenti, la loro distribuzione e la scelta dell'habitat.

Research paper thumbnail of The Vocal Repertoire of the Eurasian Stone-Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2013

We collected behavioral observations and recordings of adult Eurasian Stone-curlews (Burhinus oed... more We collected behavioral observations and recordings of adult Eurasian Stone-curlews (Burhinus oedicnemus) in central and northern Italy, and of chicks in northern Italy. Eurasian Stone-curlews are highly vocal during spring and summer, and vocalize routinely, but less frequently, during fall and winter nights. Adult Eurasian Stone-curlews have a complex and relatively wide vocal repertoire composed of at least 11 different call types and some subtypes. Two of these calls (Kurlee and Gallop) are the most used and important; the Kurlee call is uttered year-round, while Gallop is uttered usually during the breeding season with a peak in spring. Adult vocalizations are structurally diverse; call syllable duration spans from , 0.1 to. 1.1 sec and average center frequency is between 2,190 to 3,037 Hz. The highest frequency is associated with a high intensity alarm call; some adult vocalizations can be compared to the loud rhythmically repeated calls which often occur in several species of Charadrii and Scolopaci. Five call types are used in well-defined circumstances suggesting specialized functions; the remaining calls are used mostly in combination with other call types, particularly Kurlee and Gallop calls. There are preferred and typical call combinations, which cannot be explained as random choices. We identified two main call types for chicks, which are completely different from adult calls and are developed before hatching. Juveniles up to 70 days of age utter these calls without major changes. We discuss preliminary data on vocal ontogenesis, as well as correspondences and differences between our findings and the existing literature on the adult repertoire.