Commentary: The Past, Present, and Future of the Global Raptor Impact Network

Christopher J.W. McClure, David L. Anderson, Ralph Buij, Leah Dunn, Michael T. Henderson, Jennifer McCabe, Brian W. Rolek, Sarah E. Schulwitz, D. Paul Spurling, F. Hernan Vargas, Munir Z. Virani, Richard T. Watson, Diego Méndez, Cesar Marquez Reyes, Everton B.P. Miranda, Lyle Glowka, Sofi Hinchliffe, Bryce W. Robinson, James R. Belthoff, Julie A. HeathAndré Botha, Robert A.G. Davies, Andrew P. Rayner, Simon R. Trice, Laurie Goodrich, Jean François Therrien, M. David Oleyar, Steven J. Slater, Evan R. Buechley, Sandesh Gurung, Tulsi R. Subedi, Petra Sumasgutner, Luke J. Sutton, Franziska Loercher, W. Louis Phipps, José Tavares

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Most raptor populations are declining and nearly a fifth are threatened with extinction; thus there is a need to increase collaboration to ensure efficient and effective research, management, and conservation. Here, we introduce the Global Raptor Impact Network (GRIN; www.globalraptors.org), a tool to enhance collaboration and conservation impact of the raptor research community. We provide an overview of the history and current state of GRIN, including plans for expansion. Predecessors to GRIN include The African Raptor DataBank, which was launched in 2012 to ascertain the conservation status of raptors across Africa; and the Global Raptor Information Network, which was launched in the late 1990s as a website to provide information regarding diurnal raptors and facilitate communication among researchers. GRIN expands the data collection and storage capabilities of the African Raptor DataBank to a global scale via mobile application. We have implemented data-sharing rules to ensure the safety of sensitive species, and users of the GRIN mobile app can designate their records as confidential. GRIN staff and partners are developing analyses of species' population trends and geographic distributions to aid in conservation assessments. GRIN is also developing systematic reviews, detailed bibliographies, and online accounts that will summarize the state of knowledge for each raptor species. We hope that GRIN will benefit the entire raptor research community and aid in the collaboration necessary to help raptor populations thrive in the Anthropocene.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)605-618
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Raptor Research
Volume55
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • bird of prey
  • conservation technology
  • literature review
  • monitoring
  • population trend
  • range
  • raptor

EGS Disciplines

  • Biology

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