New publication: Urdaibai Bird Center publishes an article about the effect of the Groundel bush on the comnunity and on the behaviour of migratory birds linked to the reedbed

The article, which is going to be published in the next volume of the "Animal Biodiversity and Conservation" magazine, analyses thoroughly the difference of the structure of birds community between a marsh area affected by the invading plant Baccharis hallimifolia and another area with little presence of this plant in Urdaibai. And on the other hand, it analyses also the behaviour (time of stay and the fuel increase rate) of a model species, Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), linked to the reedbeds during the migration.

Marsh area affected by the Groundel bush

The results of the study show a significant effect on both aspects. Concerning to the community, the reedbed affected by the Groundel bush is occupied by forest species damaging the marsh vegetation. And related to the behaviour, the Sedge Warblers (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) of invaded reedbeds remained less time and they put on less weight than those ones that occupied well conservated reedbeds.

Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)  Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) 

In conclusion, the Groundel bush has a negative effect on the community and on the behaviour of the migratory birds linked to reedbeds.