Laboratory of Avian Ecology
group of geoinformation systems
The main research trends – investigations of global changes in ecosystems and anthropogenic impact on birds (changes in population status, vulnerability, adaptations, microevolution). The laboratory maintains close scientific relations with scientific research centres of foreign countries, conducts contractual scientific research projects commissioned by various international and national organizations and foundations, fulfils applied scientific research projects and offers experimental development services to various branches of economy and organizations.
The Laboratory of Ornithology, established in 1973, was renamed the Laboratory of Avian Ecology in 1999. Currently it is headed by Corresp. Member of the Lithuanian Ac. of Sci. Dr Habil. M.Žalakevičius (since 1984) who was preceded in this position by Dr Habil. M.Valius and V.Skuodis. At present the staff of the laboratory numbers 12 employees.
During its lifetime the laboratory has been exploring diverse research themes: adaptation of birds in a cultural landscape, problems of domestication and synantropization, investigations and theory of seasonal bird migrations, migration regularities and mechanisms of their control, problems of aviational ornithology, regularities and mechanisms of habitat selection by birds, anthropogenic impact, formation regularities of bird migrational accumulations and wintering grounds, mechanisms of their management, significance of climatic parameters and global climate change impact on various bird life processes, investigations of the ratio between anthropogenic activities and global change in their integrated impact on animate nature, scientific fundamentals and strategy of bird protection.
During the years of the laboratory existence three of its researchers maintained Habilitation theses and 14 employees – Doctoral theses. The cycle of research works ‘Mechanisms of Bird Migration Control’ by M.Žalakevičius won Lithuanian Science Award of 1996.
Mindaugas Dagys, Dr - Head of Laboratory, Senior Researcher
Mečislovas Žalakevičius, Dr Habil. – Chief Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 92 57, e-mail: zalakevicius@ekoi.lt
Climate change impact on ecosystems, environment protection strategies and policy, aviational ornithology, investigations and control of bird migrations
Saulius Švažas, Dr. – Senior Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 92 96, e-mail: svazas@ekoi.lt
Ecology of waterbirds, investigations of shallow waters and wetland ecosystems
Vitas Stanevičius, Dr – Senior Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 92 96, e-mail: vitas@ekoi.lt
Ecology of waterbirds: abundance, distribution of biotopes in natural and artificial wetlands, the impact of eutrophication and urbanization on communities of waterbirds
Galina Bartkevičienė, Dr – Senior Researcher
Tel. +370 8615 35248, e-mail: galina@ekoi.lt
Synoptical climatology, hydrometeorology, climatic effects of the NAO impact in Lithuania, the impact of climate fluctuations on ecosystem functioning
Liutauras Raudonikis – Junior Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 93 54, e-mail: liutauras@ekoi.lt
First spring arrival of birds, phenology, population investigations, abundance estimate methods, monitoring, investigations of the ornithofauna, environment management
Rimgaudas Treinys - Researcher
Research Services
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Preparation of environment protection projects, management plans of natural areas, action plans and consulting.
- Population monitoring of breeding, migrating and wintering birds, development of monitoring programmes, analysis of the long-term monitoring data.
- Bird strike hazard assessment, development of hazard mitigation recommendations and strategies.
- Supervision of doctoral students.
- Supervision of Master and Bachelor Degree Theses at universities.
Projects
Preparation and publishing of the Third and Fourth National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Requirements of Kioto Protocol (M. Žalakevičius)
Establishment of Long Term Ecological Research Network in Lithuania (S.Švažas)
International Conference on Long Term Ecological Research in the Baltic Region (S.Švažas)
Monitoring of Wintering Waterbirds (M.Dagys)
Monitoring of Breeding Waterbirds (V.StaneviĿius)
Development of the Species Management Plan for the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) (L.Raudonikis)
The Impact of Cormorants on Commercial Fishery and Fish Stock Resources in the Curonian Lagoon and the Lower Reaches of the Nemunas River and Cormorant Population Control Measures (L.Raudonikis)
The Comparative Ecological and Genetic Analysis of Migratory and Sedentary Populations of Model Bird Species (S.Švažas)
Biodiversity Assessment in Nature Reserves of Lithuania (2001–2002) (M.Žalakevičius)
Enhancing Conservation of the Critical Network of Sites Required by Migratory Waterbirds on the African/Eurasian Flyways (2002–2003) (M.Žalakevičius, S.Švažas)
Demonstrative project of Lithuania the Nemunas delta – part of the GEF/UNEP project ‘Migratory Waterbirds on the African/Eurasian Flyways’ (2001) (S.Švažas)
Lithuania‘s second national communication under the Framework convention on climate change (2002) (M.Žalakevičius)
Investigations of Important Transboundary Wetlands (2001–2002) (M.Dagys)
Specification of the Boundaries of the Selected Special Protected Areas under the EU Bird Directive (79/409/EEC), Annex I and Updating of the Information on the Abundance and Distribution of the Qualifying and other Important Bird Species (L.Raudonikis)
Publications
Žalakevičius M., Bartkevičienė G., Raudonikis L., and Janulaitis J. 2005. Spring arrival response to climate change in birds: a case study from eastern Europe. Journal of Ornithology. Online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-005-0016-6
ŽalakeviĿius M. (ed.) 2001. Fauna and climate change: part I, II. Acta Zoologica Lituanica, 11 (2,3), Vilnius, 340 pp.
ŽalakeviĿius M. 2002. Biophysical impacts of climate change on bird populations and migration in Lithuania. GeoJournal. 191–201.
Bolshakov C., Žalakevičius M., Švažas S. 2002. Nocturnal migration of thrushes in the Eastern Baltic region. “OMPO Vilnius‿ & Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Vilnius, 118 pp.
Švažas S., Kozulin A. 2002. Waterbirds of large fishponds of Belarus and Lithuania. “OMPO Vilnius‿ & Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Vilnius, 128 pp.
Švažas S., Viksne J., Kuresoo A., Kozulin A. 2003. The Garganey and Shoveler in the Baltic States and Belarus.“OMPO Vilnius", Vilnius, 90 pp.
Švažas S., Kozulin A., Grishanov G., Rašomavičius V., Raudonikis L., Baichorov V., Skuratovich A., Balčiauskas L, Grishanov D. 2003. Important transboundary Belarusian-Lithuanian and Lithuanian – Russian Wetlands. “OMPO Vilnius" & Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Vilnius, 96 pp.
Lehikoinen E., Sparks T., Zalakevicius M. 2004. Arrival and departure dates. A.P.Moller, W.Fiedler and P.Berthold, monografija: „The Effects of Climate Change on Birds. Advances in Ecological Research“. Academic Press.
Raudonikis L. 2004 m. Important bird areas of the European union importance in Lithuania. Lithuanian Ornithological society & Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University. Kaunas: Lututė, Vilnius, 470 pp.