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394303

Crucial Conservation of Birds and Bats: Providing Ecosystem Services in Egypt

Article

Last updated: 05 Jan 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

Plant protection

Abstract

This study surveyed Egypt's key regions, the Nile Valley and Delta, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula. The 2020–2023 survey was focus on bat and bird reproductive and foraging areas. The study also records keystone species, particularly apex predators. Avian species, known as natural pest controllers, are being assessed to determine if their population has fallen or remained steady and to determine the causes. Egypt has 20 bat species and 501 bird species that naturally control pests. Rousettus aegyptiacus, Rhinopoma microphyllum, Rhinopoma cystops, Asellia tridens, Taphozous perforates, Taphozous nudiventris, Pipistrellus kuhlii, and Plecotus christii were identified from Egyptian bat and bird species. Pharaoh Eagle Owl (Bubo ascalaphus), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus migrans Aegyptius), Black-Winged Kite (Elanus Caeuleus), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), and Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) are also important bird species that reproduce in these areas. This invasive species kills all young and eats eggs, preventing them from performing vital ecosystem services. Since bats are coronavirus reservoirs, the continuous coronavirus campaign in Egypt between 2018 and 2022 eliminated more than ten R. aegyptiacus colonies. Bats and birds have little effect on humans, hence do not justify unjustifiable punishment. It must strictly follow Law 4/1994 (amended by Law 9/2009), which protects all Egyptian bats and birds. It needs government and non-government cooperation to control exotic bird species like the House Crow and Common Mayna.

DOI

10.21608/jpfs.2024.280949.1015

Keywords

Birds, bats, Egypt, pest control, Green-pesticide-free method

Authors

First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Habib

MiddleName

I. M.

Affiliation

Freelance Biodiversity Consultant, Hurghada, Egypt, p.o.box 432.

Email

mrhydro35@hotmail.com

City

Hurghada

Orcid

-

Volume

2

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

51799

Issue Date

2024-12-01

Receive Date

2024-09-01

Publish Date

2024-12-02

Page Start

108

Page End

124

Print ISSN

3009-7487

Online ISSN

3009-7886

Link

https://jpfs.journals.ekb.eg/article_394303.html

Detail API

https://jpfs.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=394303

Order

394,303

Type

Original Article

Type Code

2,955

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Plant and Food Sciences

Publication Link

https://jpfs.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Crucial Conservation of Birds and Bats: Providing Ecosystem Services in Egypt

Details

Type

Article

Created At

20 Dec 2024