CAPS (Centre for Avian Population Studies)

CAPS is a collaboration between the Department of Animal Ecology of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, the Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, the Institute for Water and Wetland Research of the Radboud University of Nijmegen and the Dutch BirdLife partner (Vogelbescherming Nederland). It is the knowledge centre for research on bird populations in the Netherlands.

The activities of our growing human population affect many bird species. Some populations are decreasing despite our efforts to protect them, while others increase rapidly and cause damage to crops or vulnerable species.

Birds are appealing and easy to observe and therefore good indicators for ecosystem functioning. Over 8,000 amateur ornithologists count and ring birds, thereby collecting data on numbers, reproduction, survival and migration of birds (citizen science). Scientists study how environmental factors affect population changes. By combining data and knowledge of volunteers and scientists, CAPS aims to explain trends in numbers and distributions of birds. The involvement of BirdLife Netherlands ensures proper prioritization of species and themes and translation of results into effective conservation and management measures.

CAPS in a nutshell: data from bird counts and ringing are combined with data on driving environmental factors and used as input for population models, to answer questions on bird populations.

Organisation

CAPS is managed by a Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from each partner organisation. The Steering Committee is assisted by a coordinator for day-to-day business.