Habitat selection of the Ring Ouzel<i>Turdus torquatus</i>in the Western Carpathians: the role of the landscape mosaic

Ciach, Michał; Mrowiec, Wojciech

doi:10.1080/00063657.2012.745463

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Yet, as solar radiation increases with elevation ( r S = 0.44; see Figure ), its effect probably underpins the species association with high elevations rather than with sun‐exposed areas. Despite their lower relative importance, habitat variables were also high‐ranked, corroborating former findings regarding species’ preferences for a forest‐grassland mosaic (Barras et al., 2020; Ciach & Mrowiec, 2013; von dem Bussche et al., 2008). The most important grassland type was the fraction of low‐productivity pastures in the home range, a proxy for extensively‐managed pastures characterized by low nutrient inputs (Weber et al., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Predictive models of distribution and abundance of a threatened mountain species show that impacts of climate change overrule those of land use change

Barras

Braunisch

Arlettaz

2021

Diversity and Distributions

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Predictive models of distribution and abundance of a threatened mountain species show that impacts of climate change overrule those of land use change

Barras

Braunisch

Arlettaz

2021

Diversity and Distributions

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“…In central and southern Europe, where the subspecies T. t. alpestris breeds in a rather different habitat, in semi‐open coniferous forests at the timberline, studies on its ecology are scarce (von dem Bussche et al . , Ciach & Mrowiec ). Over the whole distribution range, the current population trend appears stable (BirdLife International ) but the well‐monitored population in Switzerland, which represents around 13% of the European population (Knaus et al .…”

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confidence: 97%

“…UK uplands represent the exception, as the sharp decline of the subspecies T. t. torquatus in the last 50 years and its status of high conservation concern (Wotton et al 2002) have prompted some studies on its autecology and population dynamics (Burfield 2002, Beale et al 2006, Sim et al 2013. In central and southern Europe, where the subspecies T. t. alpestris breeds in a rather different habitat, in semi-open coniferous forests at the timberline, studies on its ecology are scarce (von dem Bussche et al 2008, Ciach & Mrowiec 2013.…”

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confidence: 99%

The importance of seasonal environmental factors in the foraging habitat selection of Alpine Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus alpestris

Barras

Marti

Ettlin

et al. 2019

Ibis

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Species inhabiting mountain ecosystems are expected to be particularly vulnerable to environmental change, yet information on their basic ecology is often lacking. Knowledge from field‐based empirical studies remains essential to refine our understanding of the impact of current habitat alterations and for the consequential development of meaningful conservation management strategies. This study focuses on a poorly investigated and vulnerable mountain bird species in Europe, the Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus. Our aim was to identify the species’ key ecological requirements during the crucial period of nestling provisioning in the context of environmental change. We radiotracked and observed Alpine Ring Ouzels in a high‐density population, investigating their pattern of foraging habitat selection in 2015 and 2017, and evaluated the transferability of these results over a wider geographical range across the SW Swiss Alps. Foraging birds selected, consistently in space and time, short grass swards (< 10 cm) with interspersed patches of accessible and penetrable soils, at intermediate moisture levels (around 40–65% volumetric water content). In Alpine ecosystems, this microhabitat configuration is typically widespread during the spring snowmelt, but extremely seasonal, with a rapid decrease in its availability over the course of the breeding season. This underlines the high vulnerability of the Ring Ouzel to environmental change: an earlier snowmelt could generate a temporal mismatch between the peak of the breeding effort and optimal foraging conditions; however, abandoning grazing activities on semi‐wooded Alpine pastures may further decrease foraging habitat suitability through taller and denser grass swards, and subsequent woody vegetation encroachment. This study provides a mechanistic appraisal of the challenges Ring Ouzels will face in the future, as well as initial guidelines for targeted habitat management within timberline ecotones.

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“…Alpine Ring Ouzels build their nests in coniferous trees. Feeding, however, mainly takes place in open habitats (Glutz von Blotzheim & Bauer 1988, Ciach and Mrowiec, 2013, Barras et al 2019. We frequently observed hunting Ring Ouzels in grasslands with short-growing, sparse vegetation; high-growing grasslands were avoided.…”

Section: Et Al 2019) a Strong Dependence Of Foraging Ringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and land‐use change drive habitat loss in a mountain bird species

Fumy

Fartmann

2021

Ibis

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Mountain areas still feature remnants of traditional land use and consequently constitute a large proportion of the remaining species-rich habitats in Central Europe. However, their biodiversity is increasingly threatened by changes in climate and land use. The Alpine Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus alpestris is a typical mountain bird that has recently declined in most of its breeding range. In this study we compared the historical (1986)(1987) and recent (2017) distribution of breeding Ring Ouzels in 62 randomly selected 750 × 750 -m plots and analysed local colonization and extinction patterns in 558 subunits (= 'grid cells') in the southern Black Forest (south-western Germany). Our study revealed that habitat occupancy has decreased by about one-third, mainly at lower elevations and in depressed landforms, during the past three decades. Local colonization amounted to 25% and extinction to 66% of the previously vacant or occupied grid cells, respectively. Habitat occupancy and local colonization and extinction were driven by climate and habitat parameters. The Ring Ouzel preferred convex landscape formations such as mountain peaks and ridges with long snow-cover duration for breeding. Sites with high proportions of deciduous forest and abandoned pasture were avoided. Local colonization was higher at convex landscape formations and by high coniferous forest coverage and forest-edge length. Local extinction, on the other hand, was lower at convex landscape formations and high-elevation sites. Our results suggest that shorter persistence of snow fields caused by climate change and degradation of feeding grounds through land-use abandonment might severely deteriorate food availability for the species, which is likely to have contributed to the observed decline. For conservation of the Alpine Ring Ouzel, we recommend adopting measures to mitigate the negative effects of climate warming and improve habitat quality. The creation of small-scale mosaics of sparse conifer forests and regularly grazed pastures, especially on north-and east-facing slopes on the lee sides of hills, mountain peaks or ridges, should be supported.

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Habitat selection of the Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusin the Western Carpathians: the role of the landscape mosaic

Cited by 7 publications

References 19 publications

Predictive models of distribution and abundance of a threatened mountain species show that impacts of climate change overrule those of land use change

Predictive models of distribution and abundance of a threatened mountain species show that impacts of climate change overrule those of land use change

The importance of seasonal environmental factors in the foraging habitat selection of Alpine Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus alpestris

Climate and land‐use change drive habitat loss in a mountain bird species

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