Main Research Axes
1. Euphrates migratory corridor: an intensive and standardized survey of migration.
This is one of the central tasks of the IFOSS. As soon as the IFOSS takes place in Syria, an important field migratory station -including a ringing station- will be erected directly on the Euphrates River. Great importance will be attributed to the choice of this important field location. A precise protocol with a selection of complementary field techniques will be used to assess the phenology of postnuptial migration. A permanent team will be working at this field station every day of the IFOSS to ensure continuous sampling. Moreover it will be here that the IFOSS' main camp will be based.
2. Prospection of target spots with great conservational significance.
A small group of specialists will be equipped to work away from the main base in order to accomplish this objective. It will have the necessary equipment for efficient implementation of various field sampling methods at several locations across the country. The aim of this group will be to prospect a large number of potentially important bird areas across the country. Prospection protocols will be not as standardized as at the main station on the Euphrates River given the different aims and sampling contexts. Here, the plan will be to build a precise map of a maximum of important bird areas and to acquire a maximum of ornithological information on those specific areas. Therefore, prospection techniques will be variable in order to fit with each situation and to optimize the number of species and individuals detected. The choice of the area prospected will be determined on the basis of existing reports, satellite imagery studies and on information derived directly from the local people. Prospection duration will be determined by the team and will be directly related to the area prospected and to its potential richness.
3. Collection of defined particular data
The aim at this point will be to focus on species or taxa previously selected due to their conservation status (e.g. Sociable Lapwing, Black-winged Pratincole, White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Basra reed Warbler), scientific relevance (according to scientific collaborations), or ornithological relevance (e.g. to study new identification tools). In these cases, targeted studies, prospection and/or capture will be accomplished. When it will be required, specific data will be logged (e.g. particular morphological measurement or standardized photographic protocol).
4. Molecular data bank & biodiversity
Biodiversity is generally plotted as taxonomic richness, but from a conservationist's view, measurement of biodiversity should allow the assurance of continued possibilities for adaptation. As a consequence, a more meaningful biodiversity measure is likely to be associated with the variety of genes. Since it cannot always be established which genes are more likely to prove beneficial, the best choice for conservation is to ensure the persistence of as many genes as possible (i.e. genetic diversity). This kind of data combined with more traditional measurements (e.g. richness, abundance) should allow for an accurate view of the actual biodiversity of a prospected area. It will also be of primary importance when you are interested in the evolution of a population over time. Given the now widespread use of molecular ecology techniques, we plan to help to set up the first avian molecular data bank in the area. Later on in the project, we intend to make this data available to scientists and/or institutions interested in conservation issues. For example, feathers can be used for isotopic analyses which can help discriminate between breeding areas. Blood samples (i.e. DNA) can be used to measure population diversity and to determine the phylogenetic status of particular taxa. Feather removal and blood sampling are easy to do in the field, inexpensive and safe for individuals. Acquiring this type of biological data opens the door to many opportunities for future analyses with potentially amazing results.
5. Enhancement of Knowledge & Information
All data will be geo-referenced and recorded under an informatics database as the IFOSS progresses. Such a systematic filing will facilitate subsequent data analyses and ensure the rapid publication of the IFOSS results.
6. Blog
In order to document the IFOSS, a log will be regularly updated and published to a blog. At first the blog will be used to introduce the IFOSS and its objectives. During the IFOSS, it will be used to link staff in the field and people all over the world interested by the project itself and/or by its findings.
7. Staff & Organisation
Field tasks will be completed by volunteer birders from a range of different countries. Volunteers will mainly be involved in mist netting activities and other counting and sampling methods. They will also take part in the everyday tasks at the field station (e.g. operation planning, data entry and/or cooking). The IFOSS will have the capacity to receive a maximum of 20 people at any given time. The permanent team will take responsibility for providing the supervisory control and the management of the team.