LIA COURT LIA COURT Dept. of Natural Resources & Envir. Management, Haifa University & Golan Research inst, Israel YOHAY CARMEL YOHAY CARMEL Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel OFER BAHAT OFER BAHAT Raptor Conservation Project, SPNI & INPA, Israel IDO IZHAKI IDO IZHAKI Dept. of Biology, Haifa University at Oranim, Israel Land-Use Effect on the Foraging and Feeding of Eurasian Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Northern Israel

The Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

EuropeAsia Africa Resident Eurasian Vulture World Distribution Israel

Griffon Vultures are gregarious Roosting Colony

Reproduction High (60-70%) chick mortality

Rickets and Artifacts in Nestlings Lack of Calcium

Feeding Station and Bone Fragments Supplement of crashed bones

Research Goal Identify the effect of land use and other environmental factors on the foraging and feeding patterns of Griffon vultures

Research Area Africa Asia Europe Israel Mediterranean Sea Sea Egypt Jordan Lebanon Syria

Tested Independent Variables SettlementsSettlements RoadsRoads Power linesPower lines Water reservoirsWater reservoirs Army fire zonesArmy fire zones Nature reservesNature reserves Grazing intensityGrazing intensity Planted TreesPlanted Trees II.Land Use III.Environmental factors TopographyTopography VegetationVegetation ClimateClimate Size – length & weightSize – length & weight SpeciesSpecies ageage sexsex ConditionCondition Availability time (since death)Availability time (since death) I.Carcass characteristics The dependent variable was the usage of carcasses by Griffon vultures

Methods Data analysis Locating and characterizing carcassesLocating and characterizing carcasses Observations on usage by vultures and other scavengersObservations on usage by vultures and other scavengers Locating active nesting and roosting sitesLocating active nesting and roosting sites Digital relevant data layers of land usesDigital relevant data layers of land uses Spatial analysis – GISSpatial analysis – GIS Creating a model to predict usage of available food by Griffon Vultures Statistical analysisStatistical analysis

Results Total of 237 carcasses – 83% Cattle Total of 237 carcasses – 83% Cattle The rest - Horses, Sheep, Wild Boars, Gazelles & Dogs The rest - Horses, Sheep, Wild Boars, Gazelles & Dogs

Logistic Regression Model P Value BVariable Food Availability Time Distance from Trees Army Fire Zone Distance Power Lines Nature Reserve *10 -5 Distance from Nest Site Aspect Carcass Length Constant R 2 = 0.494

Food Availability Time (Time since the death of the animal)  2 6 =64.54, P<0.01

Distance from Trees (Plantations & Orchards)  2 3 =10.63, P<0.05

Active Army Fire Zones  2 1 =1.56, P>0.05

Distance from Power Line  2 4 =10.7, P<0.05

Distance from nesting sites  2 3 =13.83, P<0.01

Conclusions We have successfully established a model that predicts the optimal location of 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

Acknowledgements Many 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 tutorsMy devoted tutors The Golan Research Institute and Garelik family for the generous grantThe Golan Research Institute and Garelik family for the generous grant And last but not least, my supportive family that has been touring with me the Golan fieldsAnd last but not least, my supportive family that has been touring with me the Golan fields