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The Griffon Vultures of Sardinia and their precious yet overlooked ecosystem services 

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In the heart of the Mediterranean, Griffon Vultures are more than just an element characterising the agropastoral landscapes of Sardinia. A recent study published on Bird Conservation International investigates the ecosystem services they provide, unveiling their vital role in Sardinia’s environment and the benefits they bring to both nature and people. 

Griffon Vulture in Sardinia feeding_LIFE Safe for Vultures

Ecosystem services are widely recognised as a main pillar for both human well-being and biodiversity conservation. Vultures, as the only obligate scavengers among vertebrates, play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem’s health. By removing carrion, they control pathogen proliferation, reduce the spread of diseases, promote nutrient cycling and prevent the release of the greenhouse gasses originated from carcass incineration. Moreover, vultures hold cultural significance in many communities, and their presence encourages ecotourism and nature conservation initiatives.  

Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) are the most abundant avian scavenger in Europe, providing irreplaceable services through their efficient carcass consumption. The paper “Quantifying the regulation and cultural ecosystem services associated with Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Sardinia, Italy” assesses how people perceive vultures, their economic value and environmental impacts. 

Understanding Ecosystem Services 

Ecosystem services are the multitude of benefits that human receive from healthy ecosystems: clean water and air, climate regulation, pollination and disease control, only to make a few examples. They can be categorized into: 

  • Provisioning Services: resources such as food, water, and raw materials. 
  • Regulating Services: processes like disease control, waste decomposition, and climate regulation. 
  • Cultural Services: non-material benefits including recreation opportunities, cultural identity, and aesthetic enjoyment. 

Recognising and preserving these services is crucial both for biodiversity and human well-being. 

Griffon Vulture in Sardinia © LIFE Safe for Vultures

The Role of Griffon Vultures in Sardinia 

Sardinia is well-known for its agropastoral landscape, and thanks to conservation projects such as LIFE Under the Griffon Wings and since 2021 LIFE Safe for Vultures the local Griffon Vultures population is now healthy and growing. These scavengers provide crucial ecosystem services and have an overall positive impact on the Sardinian landscape and economy. 

Regulating services 

Griffon Vultures Sardinia

By consuming carcasses vultures not only prevent the spread of diseases and pathogens but also reduce the costs and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with carcass disposal. In fact, carcasses must be collected, stored, transported and incinerated in a journey that covers approximately 500 Km, from Sardinia all the way to Bologna! This entire process emits approximately 1 ton of CO2 per ton of biomass incinerated.

The scientists estimated that in 2022 the entire Sardinian Griffon Vultures population consumed 65.5-103.1 tons of biomass, preventing the same amount of CO2 from being emitted in the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of the annual CO2 emissions of 16-34 households in Sardinia.  

Cultural services 

The cultural significance of Griffon Vultures is as striking as their ecological role. Sardinia’s natural reserves, where these birds can be observed, attract ecotourists and nature enthusiasts from across Europe. Griffon Vultures are recognised as part of the agropastoral landscape and culture, reminding us of the long-standing relationship between people and wildlife on the island. 

People have a positive perception of vultures, as it is demonstrated by the survey presented in the study. Most of nature reserves visitors would visit a hide to observe and photograph Griffon Vultures if given the opportunity. 73% of them would be willing to pay to visit it and 80% would join a guided tour to vulture observation places. These results underscore the great ecotourism potential of Griffon Vultures. Ecotourism activities not only contribute to local economies but also foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife. 

Griffon Vultures release in Sardinia_Mauro Sanna
© Mauro Sanna

A future perspective for conservation 

The findings from Sardinia mirror global observations of vultures’ invaluable ecosystem services. In fact, similar results have been shared by the LIFE With Vultures project in Cyprus. These studies offer a powerful reminder of how deeply interconnected we are with nature. 

Griffon Vultures are not only crucial for the ecosystems, but they can also be considered a practical asset to sustainable development. By linking their ecological contributions to tangible benefits like reduced emissions and economic opportunities, the research provides a compelling case for supporting the species conservation efforts.

The LIFE Safe for Vultures project is relentlessly working to support Griffon Vultures population in Sardinia. It focuses on restocking actions, habitat restoration, best practices like the use of non-lead ammunition, farm feeding stations and poison control, and awareness campaigns.  

Griffon Vultures in Sardinia demonstrate the extraordinary benefits wildlife can offer when ecosystems are allowed to thrive. Protecting species like these is not just an act of environmental stewardship; it is an investment in the health of our planet and ourselves. 

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