Breeding habitat selection of three sympatric species of Mediterranean warblers in eastern Spain

Abstract

Understanding habitat selection patterns in congeneric species has raised special interest due to its importance when designing conservation strategies for the species. We analysed reproductive habitat selection of three coexisting warbler species in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. We detected the individuals by their vocalizations at 40 listening points in two study areas (Carcaixent and Alcoy). We used satellite images to identify different vegetation types and their availability. Reproductive habitat selection was analysed by the Ivlev selectivity index and a compositional analysis. In addition, we determined the effect of different habitat variables (dominant vegetation, vegetation height, cover and site) on the presence of the species fitting a binomial GLM with logistic linking function. We found that the Sardinian Warbler ( Curruca Melanocephala) selected scrub-dominated areas; while the Dartford Warbler ( C. undata) preferred areas with low (<50%) vegetation cover; and the Subalpine Warbler ( C. cantillans) was present in areas with scrubs and low (<50%) vegetation cover, avoiding crops. The compositional analysis showed that the species used different vegetation types, in relation to their availability and that the selection differed between species. The Sardinian Warbler was the only species which showed spatial variation in reproductive habitat selection. Our results evidence that the studied warbler species select and avoid different types of vegetation in relation to their specific requirements and the present habitat structure. This represents valuable information to understand the composition of local communities and the reproductive habitat selection of the studied species.