Titre du document / Document title

Managing landscapes for the little bustard Tetrax tetrax: lessons from the study of winter habitat selection

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

SILVA Joao Paulo ⁽¹⁾ ; PINTO Marcia ⁽¹⁾ ; PALMEIRIM Jorge M. ⁽²⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Insiituto da Conservação da Natureza, Rua General Conde Jorge de Avilez, n° 22, 1°, 7300-185 Portalegre, PORTUGAL
⁽²⁾ Departamento de Biologia Animal e Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, PORTUGAL

Résumé / Abstract

More than half of the world's population of the little bastard Tetrax tetrax lives in the Iberian Peninsula, where it is mostly dependent for survival on extensive agricultural areas. The species has declined dramatically, chiefly due to changes in agricultural practices, and is now globally 'Near Threatened'. Knowledge of its habitat requirements is crucial to reverse the trend of habitat deterioration. Winter habitat preferences were studied in a region dominated by extensive cereal farming in Southern Portugal, comparing the characteristics of sites used by 54 flocks with those of randomly selected sites within the study area. The birds preferred recent fallows and grassy vegetation of mid-size (about 11-20 cm) and mid-density (about 11-50% cover). They tended to concentrate on the tops of hills and to avoid disturbed areas near roads and houses. Overall, the observed preferences suggest that predator avoidance is a significant factor in habitat selection. To improve habitat suitability for little bustard, managers of key wintering areas should minimize permanent sources of human disturbance, encourage rotations with frequent fallows, and favour moderate levels of grazing to manipulate vegetation height and cover. Particular attention should be given to the upper parts of the hills.

Revue / Journal Title

Biological conservation   ISSN 0006-3207   CODEN BICOBK 

Source / Source

2004, vol. 117, n^o5, pp. 521-528 [8 page(s) (article)] (36 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Elsevier, Oxford, ROYAUME-UNI  (1968) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Vertebrata ; Aves ; Europe ; Iberian Peninsula ; Environmental management ; Environmental protection ; Habitat ; Avoidance ; Predation ; Agriculture ; Habitat selection ; Landscape ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Otididae ; Vertebrata ; Aves ; Europe ; Tetrax tetrax ; Otis tetrax ; Péninsule Ibérique ; Gestion environnement ; Protection environnement ; Habitat ; Evitement ; Prédation ; Agriculture ; Choix habitat ; Paysage ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Vertebrata ; Aves ; Europa ; Península ibérica ; Gestiòn medio ambiente ; Protección medio ambiente ; Habitat ; Evitación ; Rapiña ; Agricultura ; Selección alojamiento ; Paisaje ;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

Tetrax tetrax ; Extensive cereal agriculture ; Habitat selection ; Predation avoidance ; Habitat management ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 14169, 35400011713337.0070