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Due to its abundance, bird cherry–oat aphid is the most important vector in Poland of the complex of viruses causing barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). These viruses infect all cereals. During the growing season, cereal plants are exposed to many species of agrophages, which can limit their growth, development and yield. As observed for many years, global warming contributes to changes in the development of many organisms. Aphids (Aphidoidea), which are among the most important pests of agricultural crops, respond very dynamically to these changes. Under favorable conditions, their populations can increase several-fold within a few days. The bird cherry–oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) is a dioecious species that undergoes a seasonal host shift during its life cycle. Its primary hosts are trees and shrubs (Prunus padus L.), while secondary hosts include cereals and various grass species. R. padi feeds directly on bird cherry tree, reducing its ornamental value, and on cereals, where it contributes to yields losses. The species can also damage plants indirectly by transmitting harmful viruses. Indirect damage is generally more serious than direct feeding injury. Monitoring aphid flights with a Johnson suction trap (JST) is useful for plant protection, which enables early detection of their presence in the air and then on cereal crops. To provide early detection of R. padi migrations and to study the dynamics of abundance, flights were monitored in 2020–2024 with Johnson suction traps at two localities: Winna Góra (Greater Poland Province) and Sośnicowice (Silesia Province). The aim of the research conducted in 2020–2024 was to study the dynamics of the bird cherry–oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) population in relation to meteorological conditions as recorded by a Johnson suction trap. Over five years of research, a total of 129,638 R. padi individuals were captured using a Johnson suction trap at two locations (60,426 in Winna Góra and 69,212 in Sośnicowice). In Winna Góra, the annual counts were as follows: 5766 in 2020, 6498 in 2021, 36,452 in 2022, 5598 in 2023, and 6112 in 2024. In Sośnicowice, the numbers were as follows: 6954 in 2020, 9159 in 2021, 49,120 in 2022, 3855 in 2023, and 124 in 2024. The year 2022 was particularly notable for the exceptionally high abundance of R. padi, especially in the autumn. Monitoring crops for the presence of pests is the basis of integrated plant protection. Climate change, modern cultivation technologies, and increasing restrictions on chemical control are the main factors contributing to the development and spread of aphids. Therefore, measures based on monitoring the level of threat and searching for control solutions are necessary. Full article

Rising numbers of wolf (Canis lupus) populations make traditional, resource-intensive methods of wolf monitoring increasingly challenging and often insufficient. This study explores how wolf howls can be used as a new monitoring tool for wolves by applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to detect and classify wolf howls from acoustic recordings, thereby improving the effectiveness of wolf population monitoring. Three AI approaches are evaluated: BirdNET, Yellowstone’s Cry-Wolf project system, and BioLingual. Data were collected using Song Meter SM4 (SM4) audio recorders in a known wolf territory in Klelund Dyrehave, Denmark, and manually validated to establish a ground truth of 260 wolf howls. Results demonstrate that while AI solutions currently do not achieve the complete precision or overall accuracy of expert manual analysis, they offer tremendous efficiency gains, significantly reducing processing time. BirdNET achieved the highest recall at 78.5% (204/260 howls detected), though with a low precision of 0.007 (resulting in 28,773 false positives). BioLingual detected 61.5% of howls (160/260) with 0.005 precision (30,163 false positives), and Cry-Wolf detected 59.6% of howls (155/260) with 0.005 precision (30,099 false positives). Crucially, a combined approach utilizing all three models achieved a 96.2% recall (250/260 howls detected). This suggests that while AI solutions primarily function as powerful human-aided data reduction tools rather than fully autonomous detectors, they represent a valuable, scalable, and non-invasive complement to traditional methods in wolf research and conservation, making large-scale monitoring more feasible. Full article

Sunflower meal (SM) is an economically important, inexpensive, and locally abundant alternative protein source in the Eurozone. The study aimed at investigating the effects of feeding two forms of SM on the production traits, carcass composition, nutrient digestibility, and some gut parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 600-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were fed five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Besides the control diet (C), the high- and low-fibre SMs (HFSM and LFSM) were fed at 20% (HFSM20 and LFSM20) and 30% (HFSM30 and LFSM30). Compared to the C, feeding the SM-containing diets did not affect the feed intake (FI) of birds. In the finisher phase, the HFSM30 treatment resulted in significantly higher, while the LFSM30 diet in significantly lower body weight gain. All SM treatments impaired FCR, but the difference was significant only in the grower phase. In comparison with the C, the SM treatments failed to modify carcass composition. The fat digestibility and the AMEn content increased, while the starch digestibility decreased when SM was fed. Except the LFSM30 treatment in the grower phase, the Nitrogen retention of birds was not affected. The SM-containing diets reduced the urinary N excretion, and the total N excretion of growers. Furthermore, the HFSM30 reduced the jejunal viscosity during the grower and finisher phases. The treatments did not modify the short-chain fatty acid contents of the caeca. In conclusion, SM can be used even at 20 and 30% in the nutrition of broiler chickens. However, the responses are affected by the age and the fibre content of SM. Full article

Freshwater availability is one of the most pressing environmental concerns in arid ecosystems. The use of free-standing water by raptors has been little studied, and in the context of climate change has become increasingly important as extended droughts are expected to become more frequent. We analyzed digital images from camera traps captured in the freshwater springs of Sierra El Mechudo, during summer to early autumn of 2023 and 2024 in Baja California Sur, Mexico. We recorded 165 detections of four raptor species. The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) was the most frequently detected (n = 55), followed by the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) (n = 50), the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) (n = 45), and the Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii), which was observed only in early autumn 2024 (n = 15). The Great Horned Owl exhibited a distinct detection pattern (mainly crepuscular, with the highest peak at 6 a.m.), in contrast with the other three species, which were detected mainly at midday and in the afternoon, during the hottest hours of the day. All raptors were recorded drinking water; however, species differed in the proportion of behaviors they exhibited at the freshwater springs. The Turkey Vulture showed the highest drinking activity (76.3%), whereas both hawks exhibited the same lowest proportions (26.6%) among all species detected. The proportion of behaviors remained constant across years. The time spent at the freshwater springs did not differ across species or years. The Red-tailed Hawk, the Great Horned Owl, and the Turkey Vulture increased their detections at the springs in 2024, when a severe and prolonged drought affected the southern peninsula. The results showed that the importance of freshwater springs for raptors extends beyond their use for drinking only; the surrounding habitat as a refuge and availability of prey in the area are evidently essential for these birds of prey. Further studies should extend research into the diverse use of springs and home ranges of raptors in the southern Baja California peninsula. Full article

In recent times, field crop damage caused by birds, such as corvids and pigeons, has become crucial for many farmers. Damage can be as serious as the loss of a large part of the harvest. Several solutions have been proposed, but none are effective. An example is the use of scarecrows, but birds eventually adapt to them over time, and so they become ineffective. To study bird behavior and to propose a bird deterrent that would adapt to the presence of birds, we set up an experimental image-taking system on several plots of land over a period of 4–5 years. Around fifteen terabytes of images taken in the field were acquired. Our aim was to automatically detect these birds using deep learning methods and then to activate a real-time scarer. This work meets two challenges: the first is agroecological, as bird damage has become a major issue, and the second is IT, as it is difficult to detect birds in the field: the individuals are small because they are far from the camera lens, and field conditions are often less than optimal: darkness, confusion between the pigeons’ colors and the ground, etc. The Mask-RCNN in its original configuration is not suited to detecting small individuals. We mainly focused on the model’s hyperparameters to better adapt it to our study context. As a result, we improved the detection of small individuals using, among other things, appropriate anchor scales design and image processing techniques. At the same time, we built an original dataset focused on small individuals called BirdyDataset. The model can detect corvids and pigeons with an accuracy of 78% under real field conditions. Full article

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of extensive husbandry on slaughter characteristics and turkey meat quality in two utility types. The experiment was divided into two stages: for the first 6 weeks, 200 medium-heavy (MH) and heavy (H) turkey females were kept in intensive rearing conditions and then divided into a control (MHC/HC) and an extensive group (MHE/HE), with five replications in each group (10 birds per replication) for 10 weeks. In E groups, the balanced mixtures were gradually replaced with wheat at 30, 50, and 70% in subsequent feeding periods. Additionally, birds received green fodder (nettles, clover, and alfalfa) and steamed potatoes. After 16 weeks of rearing, birds were slaughtered, their carcasses were dissected, and the meat was assessed for technological traits (pH, L*a*b*, WHC, and tenderness), chemical composition (protein, ash, and fat), fatty acid profile, and sensory analysis. A higher proportion of liver and gizzard and a lower proportion of abdominal fat were found in the E groups, which resulted from more intensive mobility. Meat from these birds was less tender than that from females in the C groups, but it also contained considerably more protein and less fat. Lower values of fatty acid indices such as PI and AI, as well as a higher content of MUFA and a narrower n-6:n-3 ratio in meat from MH birds, indicate a stronger response of these birds to the extensive rearing system and confirm the health-promoting properties of their meat. The sensory evaluation of the meat meets the expectations of modern consumers regarding both the origin and taste of poultry meat. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global challenge that is exacerbated by extensive antibiotic use in livestock farming. Identifying effective alternatives to widely used human antibiotics in animal production is vital to safeguard vital human medicines and ensure sustainable food systems. Here we describe studies identifying nitroxoline (NTX) as a promising antimicrobial candidate for use in poultry production. Methods: The antibacterial activity and resistance potential of NTX were assessed in vitro. In vivo studies in chickens evaluated tolerance, therapeutic efficacy in Salmonella-infected birds, pharmacokinetics, tissue residue depletion, growth performance, and effects on caecal microbiota. NTX was administered in-feed at different dose levels. Pharmacokinetic parameters and withdrawal periods were determined, and caecal microbiota composition was analysed using ribosomal RNA 16S sequencing. Results: NTX exhibits potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in vitro and low levels of resistance. NTX is well-tolerated in chickens at 500 mg/kg in-feed for 7 days and substantially reduces liver bacterial loads at 100 mg/kg in Salmonella-infected chickens. Pharmacokinetic and residue analyses reveal NTX manifests rapid absorption and distribution, high oral bioavailability (86%), and efficient tissue clearance with a 17-day withdrawal period required for skin-plus-fat clearance. NTX supplementation is associated with increased weight gain and improved feed efficiency compared to the control group, with performance comparable to chlortetracycline. Microbiota analysis indicates modulation of caecal bacterial communities, including increased Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: These results indicate that NTX is a viable alternative to important human antibiotics widely deployed in poultry production, offering a potential approach to minimise antimicrobial resistance whilst maintaining animal health and food biosafety. Full article

Converting agricultural solid waste into porous biochar for HCHO adsorption is considered as a “two birds with one stone” strategy, which can achieve the environmental goal of “treating waste with waste”. Unfortunately, the HCHO adsorption performance of pristine biochar is generally unsatisfactory, which is derived from its poor surface activity and insufficient number of pores. In this study, a series of nitrogen-doped porous biochars with adjustable N-containing groups and porosity were synthesized by one-step pyrolysis of melamine and waste jujube pit in different mass ratios (NBC-x, x represented the mass ratio of melamine to waste jujube pit, x = 4–12) for HCHO adsorption. The HCHO adsorption tests indicated that the insertion of nitrogen-containing species improved the adsorption capacity of pristine biochar (BC). However, after the insertion of excessive nitrogen-containing species, the porosity of the samples significantly decreased due to the blockage of pores, which could be disadvantageous for HCHO adsorption. DFT calculation results showed that N doping (especially pyrrolic-N) significantly increased the maxima of absolute ESP values of the carbonaceous models and consequently enhanced the affinity between polar HCHO and carbonaceous models (varied from −20.65 kJ/mol to −33.26 kJ/mol). Thus, the NBC-8 possessing both substantial nitrogen content (19.81 wt. %) and developed porosity (specific surface area of 223 m²/g) exhibited the highest HCHO uptake of 6.30 mg/g. This was approximately 6.4 times larger than that of BC. This work not only deepens the understanding of the HCHO adsorption mechanism at molecular scale, but also concurrently offers a facile and eco-friendly route of N-doped porous biochar preparation, an efficient technology with high-value utilization of waste biomass resources, and a sustainable method of pollution remediation. Full article

In the global context of biodiversity loss, increased demand for natural resources, and major efforts to restore ecosystems altered by human activities, the widespread use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and acoustic recording devices allows for the collection of enormous amounts of data for monitoring the health of ecosystems. BirdNET Analyzer is a freely accessible machine learning tool that has had a great impact on the scientific community due to its apparent ease of use for identifying animals by sound. However, the literature shows some gaps regarding the influence of certain BirdNET configuration parameters on the results of its predictions. This study applies PAM and uses BirdNET in a real acoustic monitoring project and analyzes the potential impact of the configuration parameters Overlap and Sensitivity on the results of the bird inventory of a wetland created on the site of a former limestone quarry in Spain. Our results guide other researchers in the optimal combination of configuration parameters at the community level. Higher Sensitivity configuration values provided the optimal solution for minimizing the loss of species in the bird inventory. On the other hand, we identified that Recall is the best indicator to identify all combinations of BirdNET configuration parameters that cause the lowest species loss, in line with the goal of this monitoring program. Full article

Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) is a major foodborne pathogen with chickens serving as the reservoir host. This study investigated the efficacy of linalool, a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) phytochemical, as an in-feed intervention to reduce CJ colonization in broiler chickens. Three independent trials were conducted using 212-day-old Cornish Cross chicks per trial. Of these, 192 birds were randomly allocated to eight treatment groups (n = 24/group): negative control, linalool-only controls (1.0%, 1.5%, and 1.8%), positive control (CJ only), and CJ-challenged birds supplemented with linalool at 1.0%, 1.5%, or 1.8%. Linalool supplementation commenced on day 0, and birds were orally challenged with approximately 9 log₁₀ CFU of CJ on day 7. Cecal CJ populations were enumerated on days 14, 24, and 34. Positive control birds harbored approximately 6–7 log CFU/g of CJ in the ceca, whereas linalool supplementation significantly reduced CJ colonization (p < 0.05) by 2–3 log on day 14 and by 3–5 log on days 24 and 34. No adverse effects of linalool were observed on body weight, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio. Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated downregulation (p < 0.0001) of key CJ virulence and colonization-associated genes. These findings suggest that dietary linalool is a potential strategy to reduce CJ colonization in broiler chickens; however, large-scale studies under field conditions are warranted. Full article

Airport airspace safety is increasingly threatened by small, unmanned aircraft systems and wildlife that traditional radar cannot detect. While earlier reviews addressed general counter-UAS techniques, individual sensors, or the detection of single objects such as birds or drones, none has systematically reviewed airport-based, multi-sensor surveillance strategies through a safety-theoretical lens. A systematic review, performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement, synthesized recent research on fixed, ground-based aerial detection capabilities for small aerial hazards, specifically unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and avian targets, within operational airport environments. Searches targeted English-language, peer-reviewed articles from 2016 through 2025 in Web of Science and Scopus. Due to methodological heterogeneity across sensor technologies, a narrative synthesis was executed. The review of thirty-six studies, analyzed through Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model and Endsley’s Situational Awareness framework, found that only layered multi-sensor fusion architectures effectively address detection gaps for Low-Slow-Small (LSS) threats. Based on these findings, the review proposes seamless integration with Air Traffic Management (ATM) and UAS Traffic Management (UTM) systems through standardized data-exchange interfaces, complemented by theoretically grounded risk-based deployment strategies aligning surveillance technology tiers with operational risk profiles, from basic Remote ID receivers in low-risk rural environments to comprehensive multi-sensor fusion at high-density hubs, major airports, and urban vertiports. Full article

Obtaining reliable estimates of population sizes and their temporal trends is essential for assessing the conservation status and guiding the management of threatened species. Parrots (order Psittaciformes) are among the most diverse yet most threatened groups of birds worldwide, but information on their population sizes remains scarce. Their ecological traits and low densities complicate the application of widely used distance sampling methods for estimating population densities, which correct for declining detectability with increasing distance. Researchers have proposed simple encounter rates—the number of birds or groups detected per hour of observation during casual walks—as an alternative approach to address these limitations when estimating the abundance of rare species. Previous studies of the globally endangered African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) demonstrated that encounter rates derived from walk transects serve as reliable surrogates for densities estimated using distance sampling models. In this study, we evaluated whether car surveys and point counts, two other commonly used methods for estimating bird abundance, produce encounter rates comparable to those obtained from walk transects, thereby allowing greater methodological flexibility. To this end, we conducted a nationwide survey of African grey parrots in Equatorial Guinea using walk transects, car transects, and point counts (199 surveys, 1973 km, 192 h), which yielded 1166 encounters and 2972 recorded individuals. Three aspects of parrot detectability (the frequency of aural and visual detections, whether birds were perched or in flight, and detection distances) did not differ among the three survey methods. Encounter rates and the number of individuals observed per hour varied among sampled regions but did not differ among survey methods. These findings support the use of the three methods, either individually or in combination, to estimate the abundance of this globally endangered species and provide a basis for testing and applying this approach to other parrot species and geographic regions. Full article

The small freshwater lakes of Spitsbergen remain poorly studied compared to surrounding marine ecosystems despite their sensitivity to rapid environmental changes. During the short ablation season, these shallow lakes exhibit physicochemical variability influenced by the harsh Arctic climate, local geology, and hydrology. This study analyzed six lakes located on marine terraces, moraine areas, and outwash plains in the Bellsund region to assess how physicochemical variability in their waters affects phytoplankton development. The lakes exhibited local and temporal variations in temperature, conductivity, ion composition, and nutrient levels, with generally low nutrient availability limiting biological productivity. Phytoplankton communities were quantitatively and qualitatively poor, dominated by green algae, either flagellates or mixed communities, including cyanobacteria. Green algae clearly dominated in lakes closest to the fjord shoreline, while dinoflagellates and cryptophytes dominated in inland lakes. Phytoplankton abundance and biomass were extremely low in one of the lakes situated on the raised marine terraces within the tundra vegetation zone (3 × 10³ ind L⁻¹ and 0.004 mg L⁻¹, respectively). In contrast, the much larger lake situated within the tundra zone nearer the fjord shoreline had values that were comparable to fertile lakes in the temperate zone (~30 thousand × 10³ ind L⁻¹ and ~28 mg L⁻¹, respectively). It should be noted that Monoraphidium contortum and Rhodomonas minuta dominated some of the lakes almost entirely. Phytoplankton abundance was related to physicochemical conditions: green algae increased with increasing ion concentrations (Cl⁻, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄²⁻), P_min, Fe, and Mn; flagellates preferred colder waters with higher N_min and low TOC; cyanobacteria occurred in waters with lower COND, TOC, Ca²⁺, Si, Cu, and Zn. Phytoplankton biomass increased in July with increasing water temperature. Bird activity likely facilitated phytoplankton dispersal, increasing taxonomic diversity in frequently visited lakes. Full article

Background/Objective: The poultry industry requires extensive vaccination of chickens against IBV in an effort to prevent the disease in animals and significant economic losses. Current vaccination strategies often lack effectiveness, and the continual emergence of new IBV variants makes disease control increasingly challenging. We have developed an inactivated vaccine for poultry containing nine different antigens (Nobilis Multriva), including two IBDV strains, two ARV strains, one NDV strain, one AMPV strain, one EDSV strain and two IBV strains: M41 (genotype GI-1) and 4–91 (genotype GI-13). In this study, the IB efficacy of this novel inactivated vaccine was investigated against homologous and heterologous IBV strains. Methods: Inactivated IBV vaccine containing the M41 and 4–91 strains (Nobilis Multriva) was administered intramuscularly, either alone or following vaccine priming, in SPF and commercial chickens. Birds were challenged with homologous and heterologous IBV strains at defined ages (peak of lay, mid-lay and end of lay). Vaccine efficacy was evaluated through serological assays, clinical observations, and monitoring of egg production post-challenge. Results: This vaccine provided excellent broad protection against different IBV strains circulating in different parts of the world, including IBV M41, 4–91, QX, Q1 and Var2. Furthermore, the vaccine provided long-lasting IBV serological response against IB M41 and IB 4–91 until at least 96 weeks of age in SPF and commercial layers and breeder birds. This vaccine will allow farmers to reduce the number of vaccination moments, thereby minimizing stress to the birds, while also decreasing labor demands and the risk of human error, ultimately contributing to lower overall vaccination costs. Conclusions: Given its demonstrated broad cross-protection and sustained serological responses, this nine-valent inactivated vaccine (Nobilis Multriva) represents a key component of an effective vaccination regimen for controlling IBV infections in the poultry industry. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a compound probiotic on production performance and antioxidant capacity in post-molting broiler breeders. A total of 6800 healthy 69-week-old Arbor Acres breeders were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups (4 replicates of 850 birds each). Both groups were fed an identical basal diet, whereas the drinking water was supplemented with 75 g/t of the compound probiotic for the Experimental group only. The trial included a 7-day adaptation followed by a 49-day experimental period. Results demonstrated that drinking water supplementation with dietary compound probiotic preparation improved the laying performance rate, fertilization rate, and hatchability compared to the control (p < 0.05). The serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05), while a concurrent trend of reduction in MDA content was also noted (p = 0.086). Significant decreases in serum total protein and globulin levels were observed (p < 0.05). Antioxidant profiles in reproductive tissues were also improved, with increased superoxide dismutase activity in the liver and oviduct, enhanced total antioxidant capacity in the ovary and oviduct, and a concurrent decrease in malondialdehyde content in the oviduct (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum immunoglobulin M, and cecal butyric acid and isobutyric acid contents were higher in the compound probiotic preparation group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing drinking water with the compound probiotic during the post-molting period enhanced production performance, antioxidant status, and immune and gut health in aging broiler breeders, supporting the preservation of valuable poultry genetic resources. Full article