Rewinding the invasion history of monk parakeets in Barcelona city: 1976-2022

• DOI: 10.32800/abc.2024.47.0101
• Publication Date: 2024-06-07T15:18:08Z
• Authors: N. A. Borray-Esca...; Z. Nuñez-Tobajas; X. Batllori; D. Santos; J. Clavell; J. Domènech; L. Arroyo; F. Uribe; R. Rodriguez-Pastor; J. Pascual; J. G. Carrillo-Ortiz; B. Molina; J.C. del Moral; T. Montalvo; L. Cardador; B. J. Hatchwell; J. C. Senar
• Keywords: Parakeet

Predicting the future abundance and distribution of introduced alien species is crucial to mitigate their impact on ecosystems, but this has been shown be highly challenging. A good approach obtain clues root causes behind dynamic changes over time space invasive historical resurveys. Barcelona holds one largest densities in Europe monk parakeets Myiopsitta monachus, a successful avian species. In study, we evaluate population size, growth rates range expansion across city, performing periodic nest chamber counts from detection first 1976 2022. Population estimates during study period showed steady increase, reaching 6,444 ± 449 individuals The exhibited exponential with mean rate r = 0.19 per year, which means doubling 3.7 years. Furthermore, two phases were evident: 1994 0.37 1.9 years; second 1999 2022 0.08 double nine Moreover, document our through colonisation new areas, fitted diffusion model for whole period. Currently, parakeet does not appear limited by resources, availability, disease, or predators expect them continue increasing expanding if no control measures are taken.