Empirical data are essential to assess the outcomes of management decisions in the context of adaptive management. We used flyway-level population indices of a declining game bird to assess population changes after introducing hunting management measures as part of the European Union (EU)-wide Adaptive Harvest Management mechanism (AHMM). In one flyway, a full hunting ban led to the start of population recovery; numbers increased by 25% in 2 years and the 10-year population trend improved from “moderate decline” to “stable.” In the other flyway, harvest was only reduced (allegedly by 60% although statistics from key countries were incomplete), and numbers continued to fall (−15% decline). Our study shows positive results of the leading AHMM for a landbird in Europe and provides empirical evidence of the speed of population response and the timeframe needed for change to occur and to be detected. It showcases the successful application of policy mechanisms underpinned by science.

中文翻译：

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种群对先前过度捕捞的濒危陆鸟的狩猎禁令的快速反应


实证数据对于在适应性管理背景下评估管理决策的结果至关重要。作为欧盟 （EU） 范围内的适应性收获管理机制 （AHMM） 的一部分，我们使用了一种下降猎禽的迁徙路线级别的种群指数来评估种群变化。在一条迁徙路线上，全面的狩猎禁令导致了种群恢复的开始;数量在 2 年内增加了 25%，10 年种群趋势从“适度下降”改善到“稳定”。在另一个迁徙路线上，收成只减少了 60%（据称减少了 60%，尽管主要国家的统计数据不完整），数量继续下降（下降 -15%）。我们的研究表明了欧洲陆鸟领先 AHMM 的积极结果，并为种群反应的速度以及发生和检测变化所需的时间提供了经验证据。它展示了以科学为基础的政策机制的成功应用。