How Forest Biodiversity rather than Desertification Can Endanger Some Vulture Species

Abstract

Vultures are currently recorded as icons of conservation, biodiversity and political ecology, due to the diclofenac epidemic in Asia; the urban invasion of North American cities by Black and Turkey Vultures; and the reintroduction of California Condors into the previous habitats [1-8]. Resultant actions, acknowledgements and plans for vulture conservation exist in Europe (mainly concerning the rare Griffon and Cinereous Vultures), Asia (mainly concerning the Gyps Griffon Vultures), the Americas (mainly concerning the Andean Condor); and more widely on different types of vulture health problems [9-15]. A relevant question is; does higher ecosystem biodiversity contribute to increased vulture presence? As a partial answer to this complex question, vulture habitation in two biomes of maximum and minimum biodiversity; the forest and the desert is examined.