Figure - available from: Ecology and Evolution
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
Overview of agriculture‐crane interactions identified in the reviewed articles and categorization of agricultural impacts on cranes (orange), crane impacts on agriculture (gray), crane responses (green), and societal responses (blue). Crane species are sorted based on the categorization of the IUCN Red List for endangered species: LC = least concern, VU = vulnerable, EN = endangered, CR = critically endangered
Source publication
While agricultural intensification and expansion are major factors driving loss and degradation of natural habitat and species decline, some wildlife species also benefit from agriculturally managed habitats. This may lead to high population densities with impacts on both human livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Cranes are a group of 15 species...
Citations
... Shooting, live trapping, habitat damage, and disruption are some examples of such risks. [12,13]. ...
... Pakistan is home to 650-700 resident and migratory bird species due [13]to its diverse range of environments. Among them, cranes are the most significant [27]. ...
The crane is a large, beautiful animal with long necks, legs, and life expectancy. Like a few other wild wildlife, this group of birds has the potential to lift people's emotions. The current study was carried out from September 2019 to June 2022 in District Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to check the hunting rate of Demoiselle crane. Different sites were visited and the data was collected in the form of questionnaires. The entire hunting area was visited, along with the rivers Kurram and Kashu, and the hunters were observed and interviewed during that time. The River Kurram, River Kashu, and River Gambilla, which are located in the Bannu and Lakky Marwat Districts, respectively, are the well-known locations for hunting in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. Out of the seventy-one hunter groups, group 1 (comprising sixty-three people) reported that there were sixty-five hunting sites along the Kurram River; group 2, comprising thirty-seven members, reported that there were fifty-two hunting sites along the same river. The majority of hunters (70%) felt that early spring (March) was the ideal time to hunt. Majority of hunters (80%; 56/70) found that late night was the optimum time to hunt Demoiselle cranes, with the remaining 10% hunting in the early morning (07/70 and daytime 5.7% (04/70). When hunting Demoiselle cranes, the majority of hunters employed both soya and gun shooting (54/70; 77%), followed by twenty percent (14/70) who used only soya, and three percent (one out of seventy) who exclusively employed gunfire. The selected area is one of the better significant places for Demoiselle crane, which is significantly impacted by a number of risk factors that are in charge of the species' limited migration and population. The best methods for conservation are legislative protection through prohibitions on gaming and rearing, where it is removed from the Red List of Endangered Species.
... Their decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss (Amulike et al., 2020;Austin et al., 2018;Harris & Mirande, 2013) with numerous species struggling to obtain successful breeding outcomes as a result of breeding site loss or degradation (e.g., Fakarayi et al., 2016;Su & Zou, 2012). Yet, other crane species have shown greater resilience and noticeable population growth following increased foraging opportunities in agricultural landscapes (e.g., Fox et al., 2019;Hemminger et al., 2022;Lacy et al., 2015;van Velden et al., 2017). While the revival of these populations can be seen as a success, an increased dependence of cranes on croplands has also led to a conflict between farmers and cranes, presenting its own set of challenges (Austin et al., 2018;Hemminger et al., 2022;Nilsson et al., 2019;van Niekerk, 2018). ...
... Yet, other crane species have shown greater resilience and noticeable population growth following increased foraging opportunities in agricultural landscapes (e.g., Fox et al., 2019;Hemminger et al., 2022;Lacy et al., 2015;van Velden et al., 2017). While the revival of these populations can be seen as a success, an increased dependence of cranes on croplands has also led to a conflict between farmers and cranes, presenting its own set of challenges (Austin et al., 2018;Hemminger et al., 2022;Nilsson et al., 2019;van Niekerk, 2018). This poses a particular concern for South Africa's endemic, small-ranging Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) and the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum, hereafter GCC), Sub-Saharan Africa's most endangered crane species (Beilfuss et al., 2007;Harris & Mirande, 2013). ...
Crane populations are declining worldwide, with anthropogenically exacerbated habitat loss emerging as the primary causal threat. The endangered Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is the least studied of the three crane species that reside in southern Africa. This data paucity hinders essential conservation planning and is primarily due to ineffective monitoring methods and this species' use of inaccessible habitats. In this study, we compared the behavioural responses of different Grey Crowned Crane social groupings to traditional on-foot monitoring methods and the pioneering use of drones. Grey Crowned Cranes demonstrated a lower tolerance for on-foot monitoring approaches, allowing closer monitoring proximity with drones (22.72 (95% confidence intervals-13.75, 37.52) m) than on-foot methods (97.59 (86.13, 110.59) m) before displaying evasive behaviours. The behavioural response of flocks was minimal at flight heights above 50 m, whilst larger flocks were more likely to display evasive behaviours in response to monitoring by either method. Families displayed the least evasive behaviours to lower flights, whereas nesting birds were sensitive to the angles of drone approaches. Altogether, our findings confirm the usefulness of drones for monitoring wetland-nesting species and provide valuable species-specific guidelines for monitoring Grey Crowned Cranes. However, we caution future studies on wetland breeding birds to develop species-specific protocols before implementing drone methodologies.
... This is the case in Sweden, where large carnivore populations have recovered from near extinction to favourable conservation status and now share land with various types of farming practices (Wabakken et al. 2001(Wabakken et al. , 2022. The Swedish case is not unique and conflicts between conservation and other land use objectives are increasing globally (Woodroffe et al. 2005;Redpath et al. 2015;Hemminger et al. 2022). Unless interventions are successfully implemented, increasing numbers and expanding distribution of large carnivores can lead to an increasing number of carnivore attacks on livestock. ...
Wildlife managers and livestock owners can choose from a multitude of interventions to prevent carnivore attacks on domestic animals, ranging from light and sound deterrents to fencing and lethal control. To guide management and make the best and most cost-effective choice of interventions, knowledge about where and when these measures are needed the most is important. By identifying spatiotemporal patterns of carnivore attacks, resources can be used more efficiently to prevent such attacks. We used a Swedish nationwide, long-term data set to identify inter- and intra-seasonal variation in probability, number, and severity (number of killed or injured per attack) of large carnivore attacks on sheep. Our results show that there are specific “times of trouble”, regarding the number of attacks from golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in late spring, and from brown bears (Ursus arctos), lynx (Lynx lynx), and wolves (Canis lupus) in late summer. Additionally, for brown bears and wolves, the severity of attacks varied throughout the grazing season with a peak in the latter part of the summer. The results can be used for guidance of temporal prioritisation of preventive interventions to reduce the probability, number, and severity of large carnivore attacks on sheep.
... In recent years, traditional low-intensity agricultural practices have changed to modern mechanized practices to meet ever-increasing demands arising from human population growth, leading to a change in cropping patterns [62]. In the present study area (Gujarat), 54% of the land is utilized for agriculture, accounting for the 12.8 million hectares of cropped area in Gujarat [63]. ...
... Croplands provide predictable and highenergy food resources that are particularly important during the long-distance migration often undertaken by cranes. A systematic review of crane interactions with agriculture indicated that crops constitute an important component of their diet, with maize and wheat being consumed more frequently [62]. It has been argued that the degree to which cranes can adapt to the changing cropping pattern and use cereal grains as food may explain their population responses [62]. ...
... A systematic review of crane interactions with agriculture indicated that crops constitute an important component of their diet, with maize and wheat being consumed more frequently [62]. It has been argued that the degree to which cranes can adapt to the changing cropping pattern and use cereal grains as food may explain their population responses [62]. ...
Using satellite telemetry, it is possible to track long-distance migrant birds with high accuracy and greater spatial coverage. However, prior to 2014, less than 1% of bird species in India had been monitored using this technology. Between January and February 2022, we deployed leg-mounted solar GPS/GSM satellite transmitters to Common Cranes and Demoiselle Cranes (two each) to study home ranges, movement, migration patterns, and habitat use. We used 95% kernels to define the total home range size and 50% kernels to delimit the core areas. The winter habitat use was assessed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). The average home range of Common Cranes and Demoiselle Cranes was estimated as 161.22 ± 172.08 km2 and 971.40 ± 1023.57 km2, respectively. During migration, Common Crane-1 and Common Crane-2 traveled an average of 471.19 ± 442.42 and 176.97 ± 24.82 km per day, and Demoiselle Crane-1 and Demoiselle Crane-2 covered an average daily distance of 168.10 ± 203.77 and 192.97 ± 250.72 km, respectively. Water bodies and croplands were the most important habitat variables influencing crane presence positively. In recent years, the share of food grain crops within the study area has declined from 43% in 1994–1995 to 36% in 2014–2015, while the share of cotton crops has doubled from 11% to 20%, indicating a probable cause of concern in the near future.
... Regarding the protection of Red-crowned Cranes in China, studies have suggested that the focus should be on preventing habitats from being destroyed (Wang et al., 2020;Xu et al., 2020b;Hemminger et al., 2022). Suitable habitats and optimal environmental conditions are important to support the survival of threatened species, and the availability of food resources within the habitat are one of the most important indicators of habitat suitability . ...
Understanding the diet of threatened wildlife is vital for species-specific conservation and habitat managementmeasures. The Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) is a vulnerable bird distributed in Northeast Asia. Previousdietary studies of this bird focused mainly on its plant food composition based on field observations andmicrohistological identification. Herein, a total of 45 fecal samples were collected in November, December andJanuary (15 fecal samples each month) from wintering cranes, and then subjected to a high throughputsequencing meta-barcoding approach to determine the primary plant (rbcL) and animal (COI) food items in theirdiet. A total of 230 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of plant foods and 371 OTUs of animal foods wereobtained. The main plant foods in the wintering period were Miscanthus, Zea, and Hordeum genera, which weresimilar to those in the breeding and the migration periods. Both agricultural and natural plants were detected,indicating a relatively broad dietary niche for this crane species. However, the main animal foods were repre-sentatives of Theridiidae, Megascolecidae, and Agelenidae, in sharp contrast to previous studies. The highernumber of small terrestrial arthropods in animal foods might be due to the indirect intake of plants. Thecomposition of both plant and animal foods in the diet showed the highest diversity in December, while it washomogeneous in January. The plant of Zea genus became the main source of nutrition in late winter, as sup-plementary feeding was performed in the reserve, which could help Red-crowned Cranes to get through the coldseason. The results obtained in this work would contribute to the development of effective conservation stra-tegies for the Red-crowned Crane.
... sharing with other human interests and practices in multiuse landscapes [1,2]. One of the main conservation challenges when humans and wildlife co-occur is the mitigation of negative impacts that wildlife can have on human property, referred to as wildlife damage [3][4][5]. Wildlife damage, often captured under the umbrella-term Human-Wildlife Conflicts (HWC), occurs on all continents with permanent human settlements and involves wildlife species of conservation concern that have negative impacts on human interests in both marine and terrestrial environments [6,7]. In the terrestrial context impacts include damage caused by birds and mammals (such as elephants, primates, wild boar, geese) on agricultural crops, which is the basis for human food production [6]. ...
... Evaluations of interventions' effectiveness are usually limited to specific wildlife species, taxonomic groups, or geographical regions (e.g., [15,19]) and meta-analyses are rare [3,20]. Although the effect of interventions can be species or situation specific, it is also possible that management practices for one species or situation can draw learnings from other contexts. ...
Background An important conservation challenge is to mitigate negative impacts that wild birds and mammals can
have on human practices and livelihoods, and not least on agricultural crops. Technical interventions to limit the number
and severity of damages are available, but evaluations of intervention effectiveness are usually limited in scope,
and meta-analyses are rare. This protocol describes a systematic review that seeks to answer the following question:
How effective are evaluated interventions in reducing damage from herbivorous wild birds and mammals on agricultural
crops?
Methods The literature searches are made in the databases Scopus and Zoological Record. The search string is based
on a Population-Intervention-Comparator-Outcome (PICO) formatted research question, and search terms fall
within five categories: Wildlife type (Population), Damage object (Population), Counteraction (Intervention), Evaluation
(Comparator), and Damage (Outcome). Initial scoping searches informed amendment of the search string. A set of 19
benchmark articles were used to estimate the ability of the scoping search to capture relevant literature. To be eligible
for inclusion in the review, original articles should study cases where settings of exposure to interventions (measures
implemented to reduce damages on agricultural crops caused by terrestrial birds and mammals) are compared
to a control setting without exposure to interventions. Eligible studies will be subject to data extraction, systematically
documented in an Excel spreadsheet. Associated risk of bias will be critically appraised for the included articles
according to seven criteria: 1. risk of confounding biases, 2. risk of post-intervention selection biases, 3. risk of misclassified
comparison biases (observational studies only), 4. risk of performance biases (experimental studies only), 5. risk
of detection biases, 6. risk of outcome reporting biases, and 7. risk of outcome assessment biases. The results will be
reported in narrative and, if possible, quantitative syntheses. The quantitative synthesis will include a summary statistic
calculated based on the data of each study and illustrated graphically in a forest plot. If possible, meta-regression
analyses will be conducted.
... It was confirmed that corn is the most commonly consumed food for all 15 species of cranes, followed by wheat and kaoliang (Sorghum bicolor (Linnaeus) Moench) [24]. Corn, including sweet corn for humans and dent corn for dairy cows, is grown more or less throughout the crane habitat. ...
... We cannot conclude at present whether red-crowned cranes eat rice or not because redcrowned cranes in Korea and Hooded cranes and White-naped cranes in Kyushu, Japan, feed on sprouts of rice [27] and other poaceae plants (Job's Tears Coix lacryma-jobi) [28]. Additionally, it was reported that cranes showed high adaptability to foraging on different kinds of agricultural crops depending on their availability in the landscape [24]. Since rice is the largest crop in all areas of Japan except southeastern Hokkaido, we should take this propensity into account. ...
... Like other cranes, red-crowned cranes have adapted to changes in the environment [28]. For example, the expansion of agricultural land in China has led to the shrinkage of wetlands in red-crowned cranes' breeding and stopover areas [24]. Similarly, in Hokkaido, the area of wetlands continues to shrink due to the development of agriculture and other industries [17], making red-crowed cranes dependent on dairy farmers and corn supplied by humans [4]. ...
Simple Summary
The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), which is an endangered and highly protected bird species, is distributed in two populations: a mainland population in far eastern Eurasia and an island population in Hokkaido, Japan. Red-crowned cranes in Japan are resident birds mainly in the eastern part of Hokkaido. As omnivores, they feed on plants, grains, insects, and fish. Most cranes spend the winter around feeding stations in southeastern Hokkaido, where people provide corn. Since most of the cranes in Hokkaido now live near areas inhabited by humans, cases of crop damage caused by cranes have recently been reported. This study showed that the cranes feed on various crops of human origin, mostly outside farmlands.
Abstract
Total DNA extracts from the intestinal contents of 60 flying red-crowned cranes (juveniles, subadults and adults) found dead in 2006–2021, and the feces of 25 chicks collected in June and July of 2016–2018, were used for PCR reactions with primers specific for 16 crops, followed by high-throughput sequencing. The most predominant crop detected was corn in adult and subadult cranes (61.7%). Other grains (barley, wheat, soybean) (5.0–8.3%) and vegetables (tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, etc.) (1.7–6.7%) were also detected in flying cranes. Surprisingly, some of the detected crops were not grown in the Kushiro and Nemuro regions. There was no significant difference in crop intake status in winter and that in other seasons for most of the crops. Corn (28.0%), soybeans (8.0%), wheat and beet (4.0%) were detected in crane chicks in summer, though the detection rates were generally lower than those in flying cranes. Alfalfa, which is not grown in eastern Hokkaido but is used in some cattle feed, was detected in some cranes. Rice, buckwheat, adzuki beans, common beans, potatoes and carrots were not detected at any life stage, indicating the preferences of red-crowned cranes. The results suggest that red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido are dependent on dairy farmers for their feed supply.
... In Zimbabwe, Grey Crowned-Cranes were reported to cause significant damage to maize (Fakarayi et al. 2018). A study by Hemminger et al. (2022) documented that maize was frequently found in large amounts in all species of cranes, which includes the Grey Crowned-Cranes. ...
The endangered Grey Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum) occurs extensively in agricultural areas and grasslands outside of protected areas in Tanzania, posing high potential for conflict with people. This study sought to determine the extent of crop depredation by cranes, extent of illegal crane trade, and attitudes towards and interactions of local people with Grey Crowned-Cranes. We interviewed 570 respondents (44% female) from 42 rural communities across four districts in Tanzania. Most of the respondents were farmers (n = 288), followed by livestock keepers (n = 169), businesspersons (n = 75), government employees (n = 24), and others (n = 14). Overall, 91% of the respondents indicated that Grey Crowned-Cranes were not a pest to crops but, for those reporting damage, farmers with mixed or other types of crops (maize, beans, bananas, tomatoes) reported the highest frequency of damage. The respondents had positive interactions with cranes, with 96% responding that they caused no harm to the cranes and 4% saying they used trapping and chasing of cranes to control crop damage. There was evidence of crane trade, with 6% of the respondents reporting having seen illegal collection of cranes or taking crane eggs or chicks. The reported illegal collection of cranes occurred mainly in the Mbeya Region for use in traditional medicine. Overall, respondents had positive attitudes towards Grey Crowned-Cranes, and we recommend that crane conservation education programs be developed and delivered to rural communities to enhance Grey Crowned-Crane conservation in Tanzania. Connaissances relative à la conservation, interactions et attitudes des populations locales à l'égard de la Grue royale (Balearica regulorum) en Tanzanie RÉSUMÉ. La Grue royale (Balearica regulorum), espèce en danger, fréquente largement les zones agricoles et les prairies en dehors des aires protégées en Tanzanie, ce qui présente un fort potentiel de conflit avec les humains. La présente étude visait à déterminer l'ampleur de la déprédation des cultures par les grues, l'ampleur du commerce illégal de grues, l'attitude des populations locales envers les Grues royales ainsi que les interactions existant entre les deux. Nous avons interrogé 570 personnes (44 % de femmes) issues de 42 communautés rurales réparties dans quatre districts de Tanzanie. La plupart des répondants étaient des agriculteurs (n = 288), suivis par des éleveurs (n = 169), des gens d'affaires (n = 75), des fonctionnaires (n = 24) ou d'autres personnes (n = 14). Dans l'ensemble, 91 % des répondants ont indiqué que les Grues royales n'étaient pas dommageables pour les cultures, mais pour ceux qui ont signalé des dommages, ce sont les agriculteurs ayant des cultures mixtes ou d'autres types de cultures (maïs, haricots, bananes, tomates) qui avaient la fréquence la plus élevée de dommages. Les répondants ont eu des interactions positives avec les grues, 96 % d'entre eux ayant répondu qu'ils n'avaient causé aucune blessure aux grues et 4 % ayant déclaré avoir utilisé le piégeage et la chasse pour lutter contre les dommages que les grues causent aux cultures. Le commerce de grues existerait selon les indications reçues, 6 % des répondants ayant déclaré avoir été témoin de collecte illégale de grues ou de récolte d'oeufs ou d'oisillons de grues. La collecte illégale aurait lieu principalement dans la région de Mbeya à des fins de médecine traditionnelle. En général, les répondants avaient une attitude positive à l'égard des Grues royales et nous recommandons que des programmes d'éducation à la conservation des grues soient élaborés et offerts dans les communautés rurales afin d'améliorer la conservation de la Grue royale en Tanzanie.
... Our study indicated that the tuber collapses greatly influenced the diet composition of swan geese. When tuber abundance was high Lake, wetland degradation worldwide has driven many waterbird populations to shift their diet and foraging habitats (Clausen et al., 2012;Fox et al., 2011;Smart & Gill, 2003), and some have become increasingly dependent on agricultural fields (Alonso et al., 1994;Fox & Abraham, 2017;Hemminger et al., 2022). Since diet shifts of wintering waterbirds can influence fat accumulation, migration dates, subsequent breeding success, and population size (Burnham et al., 2017;Clausen et al., 2012;Newton, 2004), (Burnham et al., 2017;Jia et al., 2013). ...
Wetland habitat degradation has become more common in recent decades, leading to an increasing occurrence of food shortages for wild animals. Although the direct effects of food shortages on consumers have been well studied, the cascading effects on interspecific interactions remain poorly understood. Targeted research is required to improve our understanding of the impacts of food shortage on animals and to facilitate the development of conservation plans.
Here, we used DNA metabarcoding and field observations of goose foraging behaviour to assess the cascading effects of collapse of tubers of Vallisneria spp., the dominant submerged macrophytes at Poyang Lake, China, on the diet of the swan goose (Anser cygnoides) and on the interspecific competition among goose species, the swan goose, the bean goose (Anser fabalis), and the greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). The metabarcoding analyses were carried out on faecal samples collected in winter 2016/17 and 2018/19, and behavioural observations were conducted in winter 2021/22.
Our study elucidated the dietary compositions of the three goose species in greater detail than previously known. When Vallisneria tubers became rare, swan geese switched their foraging focus to Carex spp. and other grassland plants. When tuber abundance rebounded, swan geese resumed tuber foraging, suggesting the superiority of tubers as food for swan geese. Swan geese foraging on Carex, the major foods of bean geese and greater white-fronted geese, potentially increased interspecific competition among goose species. Swan geese increased their pecking rates while bean geese increased time spent foraging apparently to cope with interspecific competition.
Given the severe impacts of tuber collapses on waterbirds and the important role of Poyang Lake in waterbird protection, we advocate restoring submerged macrophytes to provide high quality foods for tuber-foraging waterbirds.
Our study emphasises that, in addition to directly influencing consumers, food collapses may also influence other species through changes in interspecific interactions. Our study also illustrates the importance of behavioural plasticity to cope with interspecific competition and to respond to environment change.
... However, they have yet to reclaim a significant portion of their pre-settlement breeding range (Walkinshaw 1949). The abundance of agricultural waste grains likely serves to bolster winter survival and can support SACRs [and Common Cranes (Grus grus)] at densities that likely surpass those of historic populations in some areas (Caven et al. 2019, Hemminger et al. 2022, Zink 2022). In the short term, we would expect most migratory SACR populations to continue growing. ...
Population estimates provide important information for wildlife species management and drive decision-making regarding strategic habitat protection, conservation status (e.g., State Wildlife Action Plans), and hunting regulations. Sandhill Cranes (Grus [Antigone] canadensis) apparently represent the most abundant Gruidae species globally, but few documents integrate abundance estimates and trends for distinct population segments and subspecies. This investigation estimates the minimum population sizes for all six migratory populations and three non-migratory subspecies using 5-year maximum values from existing survey data following Caven et al. (2020). The percent annual growth rate of populations are also estimated using log-transformed bivariate ordinary least squares regression models in the absence of published population trends. The results of this investigation suggest that there are at least 1.45 million Sandhill Cranes in the world, which roughly equals the population of all other 14 extant crane species combined. Despite these impressive numbers, Sandhill Crane populations pale in comparison to those of several other large-bodied waterbirds (e.g., Snow Geese number ~16 million). The Mid-continent Population represents the largest segment and comprises nearly 88% of all Sandhill Cranes globally, while the two smallest populations, the Cuban (G. c. nesiotes) and Mississippi (G. c. pulla) subspecies, respectively account for less than 0.1% combined. Annual population growth rates were apparently low for non-migratory subspecies (mean ≈0%) but relatively high for migratory populations (mean ≈3%). This literature and data review highlights uncertainties regarding the status of the Cuban Sandhill Crane, the Florida Sandhill Crane (G. c. pratensis), and the Central Valley Population (CVP) of Greater Sandhill Cranes (G. c. tabida), which winters in California. Based on small populations and low growth rates, conservation efforts should likely focus on non-migratory populations and the CVP. However, habitat protection and restoration at important wintering and stopover areas for larger populations (e.g., Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, TX; Platte River, NE) also remains important as high Sandhill Crane concentrations could result in significant disease outbreaks and subsequent mortality, especially considering the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1/8).
