Ursachen der Gefährdung von Biotoptypen in Deutschland

Rieken, Uwe; Finck, Peter; Raths, Ulrike; Schröder, Eckhard; Ssymank, Axel

doi:10.17433/5.2010.50153018.181-186

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In June 2012, we recorded habitat types based on the German habitat classification scheme (Riecken et al 2003) (see Appendix). According to the area requirements of the Ortolan Bunting (see above), the cover of habitat types was mapped on two spatial scales, i.e.…”

Section: Landscape Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of landscape heterogeneity and vegetation structure for the conservation of the Ortolan BuntingEmberiza hortulana

Löffler

Fartmann

2023

Bird Conservation International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary Over the last decades, European farmland birds have strongly declined, mainly driven by agricultural intensification. The Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana has suffered one of the most severe declines among farmland specialists. In order to maintain viable populations of the species in the long run, there is a vital need for evidence-based conservation measures. The main goal of this study was to detect the key drivers of breeding-territory selection and mating success of the species in an agricultural landscape in central Europe. We found that the landscape structure within the territories of Ortolan Bunting breeding pairs strongly varied from the overall habitat availability in the study area on both the territory and home-range scales. However, the environmental conditions also differed between the territories of breeding pairs and those of unpaired males. While landscape structure played an important role in breeding-territory selection, it had only weak effects on mating success. In contrast, crop type and vegetation height at potential nesting sites were important drivers of mating success. Overall, our study revealed that Ortolan Bunting has very complex breeding-habitat requirements. Only heterogeneous agricultural landscapes where (1) suitable song posts, (2) appropriate nesting sites, and (3) sufficient foraging habitats occur in close proximity are suitable for breeding. According to the findings of our study, agri-environmental schemes should primarily facilitate low-intensity farming practices that promote landscape heterogeneity, provide suitable nesting sites, and sustain a high abundance of invertebrate prey in farmlands.

show abstract

Section: Landscape Structurementioning

confidence: 99%