Aeroecology meets aviation safety: early warning systems in Europe and the Middle East prevent collisions between birds and aircraft

The aerosphere is utilized by billions of birds, moving for different reasons and from short to great distances spanning tens of thousands of kilometres. The aerosphere, however, is also utilized by aviation which leads to increasing conflicts in and around airfields as well as en‐route. Collisions between birds and aircraft cost billions of euros annually and, in some cases, result in the loss of human lives. Simultaneously, aviation has diverse negative impacts on wildlife. During avian migration, due to the sheer numbers of birds in the air, the risk of bird strikes becomes particularly acute for low‐flying aircraft, especially during military training flights. Over the last few decades, air forces across Europe and the Middle East have been developing solutions that integrate ecological research and aviation policy to reduce mutual negative interactions between birds and aircraft. In this paper we 1) provide a brief overview of the systems currently used in military aviation to monitor bird migration movements in the aerosphere, 2) provide a brief overview of the impact of bird strikes on military low‐level operations, and 3) estimate the effectiveness of migration monitoring systems in bird strike avoidance. We compare systems from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Israel, which are all areas that Palearctic migrants cross twice a year in huge numbers. We show that the en‐route bird strikes have decreased considerably in countries where avoidance systems have been implemented, and that consequently bird strikes are on average 45% less frequent in countries with implemented avoidance systems in place. We conclude by showing the roles of operational weather radar networks, forecast models and international and interdisciplinary collaboration to create safer skies for aviation and birds.     

Birds flee en mass from New Year's Eve fireworks

Anthropogenic disturbances of wildlife, such as noise, human presence, hunting activity, and motor vehicles, are becoming an increasing concern in conservation biology. Fireworks are an important part of celebrations worldwide, and although humans often find fireworks spectacular, fireworks are probably perceived quite differently by wild animals. Behavioral responses to fireworks are difficult to study at night, and little is known about the negative effects fireworks may have on wildlife. Every year, thousands of tons of fireworks are lit by civilians on New Year's Eve in the Netherlands. Using an operational weather radar, we quantified the reaction of birds to fireworks in 3 consecutive years. Thousands of birds took flight shortly after midnight, with high aerial movements lasting at least 45 min and peak densities measured at 500 m altitude. The highest densities were observed over grasslands and wetlands, including nature conservation sites, where thousands of waterfowl rest and feed. The Netherlands is the most important winter staging area for several species of waterfowl in Europe. We estimate that hundreds of thousands of birds in the Netherlands take flight due to fireworks. The spatial and temporal extent of disturbance is substantial, and potential consequences are discussed. Weather radar provides a unique opportunity to study the reaction of birds to fireworks, which has otherwise remained elusive.     

A Computer Model of Spermatogenesis In the Rat; Correlation With Flow Cytometric Data Based On Autoradiographic Cell-Cycle Properties

Abstract. A computer model of rat spermatogenesis was created, based on autoradiographic studies of durations of the phases of the cell cycle (G₁, S, G₂ and mitotic phases) of each germ-cell type. With this model it is possible to predict and to gain insight into the changes of the DNA content occurring during the normal process of spermatogenesis. the relative proportions of haploid, diploid, S phase and tetraploid germ cells with increasing age of the rats were calculated. Calculated and actual experimental flow cytometry data were compared to test the accuracy of the model, and these show good agreement. the present work demonstrates that single-parameter DNA analysis of testicular cells is primarily a reflection of germ cells in the spermatocyte and spermatid stages of development, and of non-germ cells. the FCM single-parameter DNA analysis of testicular cells is relatively insensitive to changes in the stem cell and spermatogonial stages of germ-cell development.     

Can wind help explain seasonal differences in avian migration speed?

A bird's ground speed is influenced by the wind conditions it encounters. Wind conditions, although variable, are not entirely random. Instead, wind exhibits persistent spatial and temporal dynamics described by the general circulation of the atmosphere. As such, in certain geographical areas wind's assistance (or hindrance) on migratory flight is also persistent, being dependent upon the bird's migratory direction in relation to prevailing wind conditions. We propose that, considering the western migration route of nocturnal migrants through Europe, winds should be more supportive in spring than in autumn. Thus, we expect higher ground speeds, contributing to higher overall migration speeds, in spring. To test whether winds were more supportive in spring than autumn, we quantified monthly wind conditions within western Europe relative to the seasonal direction of migration using 30 years (1978–2008) of wind data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis dataset. We found that supporting winds were significantly more frequent for spring migration compared to autumn and up to twice as frequent at higher altitudes. We then analyzed three years (2006–2008) of nocturnal migratory ground speeds measured with radar in the Netherlands which confirmed higher ground speeds in spring than autumn. This seasonal difference in ground speed suggests a 16.9% increase in migration speed from autumn to spring. These results stress the importance of considering the specific wind conditions experienced by birds when interpreting migration speed. We provide a simple methodological approach enabling researchers to quantify regional wind conditions for any geographic area and time period of interest.     

A computer model of spermatogenesis in the rat; correlation with flow cytometric data based on autoradiographic cell-cycle properties

A computer model of rat spermatogenesis was created, based on autoradiographic studies of durations of the phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2 and mitotic phases) of each germ-cell type. With this model it is possible to predict and to gain insight into the changes of the DNA content occurring during the normal process of spermatogenesis. The relative proportions of haploid, diploid, S phase and tetraploid germ cells with increasing age of the rats were calculated. Calculated and actual experimental flow cytometry data were compared to test the accuracy of the model, and these show good agreement. The present work demonstrates that single-parameter DNA analysis of testicular cells is primarily a reflection of germ cells in the spermatocyte and spermatid stages of development, and of non-germ cells. The FCM single-parameter DNA analysis of testicular cells is relatively insensitive to changes in the stem cell and spermatogonial stages of germ-cell development.     

Comparative studies on the microbiological vitamin B12 assay at two laboratories.

The turbidimetric methods in routine use at two laboratories for the microbiological assay of vitamin B12 have been compared. Attempts were made to standardize some major parts of the method, i.e., assay design, test strain (Lactobacillus leichmannii), test medium, and reference standard. The laboratories used different approaches to achieve efficient assay procedures. During a 6-year period four comparative experiments were carried out. In these experiments the vitamin B12 content of five different products was determined in a series of independent assays at each laboratory. A satisfactory degree of agreement (difference less than 5%) was found for four of these products.     

Comparative studies on the microbiological vitamin B12 assay at two laboratories.

The turbidimetric methods in routine use at two laboratories for the microbiological assay of vitamin B12 have been compared. Attempts were made to standardize some major parts of the method, i.e., assay design, test strain (Lactobacillus leichmannii), test medium, and reference standard. The laboratories used different approaches to achieve efficient assay procedures. During a 6-year period four comparative experiments were carried out. In these experiments the vitamin B12 content of five different products was determined in a series of independent assays at each laboratory. A satisfactory degree of agreement (difference less than 5%) was found for four of these products.