Abstract The assessment of temporal and spatial availability of food resources is an important prerequisite in developing improved management tools for effective conservation action. It is especially useful in the conservation of avian scavengers inhabiting regions where livestock move on a regular basis (transhumance). Important management decisions can be taken on the basis of theoretical analyses that need to be regularly checked. In this case study, we consider models of Griffon vulture Gyps fulvus, Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus and bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus populations in a part of Spain with one of the highest densities of scavenging birds, and where traditional farming practices remain. We applied bioinspired Population Dynamic P System models (PDP) to assess these species' population trends against the distribution, quantity and availability of carrion for food. We show asymmetries in the availability of food resources, which are substantially higher in summer due to transhumant movements. In the study area, a lack of food resources in winter leads to a seasonal reduction in food supplies to levels unable to meet the energetic requirements of the most abundant vulture species, the Griffon vulture. Our results suggest that regardless of active management (e.g. supplementary feeding sites) and the birds’ use of other potential food resources not included in the model, Griffon vultures are able to find important alternative food resources in more remote areas. We show the importance of variations at spatio-temporal scales in the objective forecasting of population trends, and in the correct application of management actions. Because of the importance of robust assessments for management applications, we discuss the advantages and limitations of ecological modelling for avian scavengers, highlighting the importance of transhumance processes and transboundary approaches.

中文翻译：

---

评估跨人类和跨界管理在欧洲鸟类清道夫保护中的重要性的仿生模型

摘要 评估食物资源的时空可用性是开发改进管理工具以实现有效保护行动的重要先决条件。它对于保护居住在牲畜定期移动（迁徙）地区的鸟类清道夫特别有用。可以根据需要定期检查的理论分析来做出重要的管理决策。在本案例研究中，我们考虑了西班牙食腐鸟类密度最高的地区之一的格里芬秃鹫 Gyps fulvus、埃及秃鹰 Neophron percnopterus 和胡须秃鹫 Gypaetus barbatus 种群的模型，该地区保留了传统的农业实践。我们应用仿生种群动态 P 系统模型 (PDP) 来评估这些物种的种群分布趋势，食物腐肉的数量和可用性。我们在食物资源的可用性方面表现出不对称性，由于跨人类运动，夏季食物资源的可用性要高得多。在研究区，冬季缺乏食物资源导致食物供应季节性减少，无法满足最丰富的秃鹰物种格里芬秃鹰的能量需求。我们的结果表明，无论积极管理（例如补充喂养地点）和鸟类使用模型中未包括的其他潜在食物资源，格里芬秃鹰都能够在更偏远的地区找到重要的替代食物资源。我们展示了时空尺度变化在人口趋势的客观预测和管理行动的正确应用中的重要性。