Background:In this study we examined the habitat preferences of three diurnal raptors in relation to human access.We aimed to identify the selection of breeding habitat by the Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos),the Long-...Background:In this study we examined the habitat preferences of three diurnal raptors in relation to human access.We aimed to identify the selection of breeding habitat by the Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos),the Long-legged Buz-zard(Buteo rufinus),and the Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)in response to site accessibility by humans,and in turn,the response of these species to human presence.Methods:Data about the nest locations were collected.Analyses and maps were created using ArcGIS.The“least cost path”was defined using the Cost Path tool.Results:The lowest values of the Cost Path were established for Long-legged Buzzard and the highest values were estimated for Golden Eagle.Intermediate Cost Path values for Peregrine Falcon were found.Conclusions:The Long-legged Buzzard could be considered as the most tolerant to human presence in its breeding territories.The Golden Eagle have the lowest degree of tolerance and the Peregrine Falcon is ranked in an intermedi-ate position compared to the other two species,but closer to Golden Eagle.展开更多
Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species...Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species—Boreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)and Pygmy Owl(Glaucidium passerinum)—have been studied in refugial montane populations in the western Rhodopes,South Bulgaria.Data on owl presence and forest stand attributes recorded in situ have been used to identify significant predictors for owl occurrence.The results revealed Boreal Owl’s preference for comparatively dense forests(high canopy closure values),big trees(diameter at breast height≥50 cm)and large amount of fallen dead wood in penultimate stage of decay.For Pygmy Owl the only significant explanatory variable was the total amount of fallen dead wood.Results suggest preference of both owl species for forests with structural elements typical of old-growth forests(i.e.,veteran trees,deadwood),the Pygmy Owl being less prone to inhabit managed forests.Being at the rear edge of their Palearctic breeding range in Europe both Boreal and Pygmy Owls are of high conservation value on the Balkan Peninsula.Hence,additional efforts are needed for their conservation in the light of climate change and resulting alteration of forest structural parameters.Current findings can be used for adjusting forest management practices in order to ensure both,sustainable profit from timber and continuous species survival.展开更多
文摘Background:In this study we examined the habitat preferences of three diurnal raptors in relation to human access.We aimed to identify the selection of breeding habitat by the Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos),the Long-legged Buz-zard(Buteo rufinus),and the Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)in response to site accessibility by humans,and in turn,the response of these species to human presence.Methods:Data about the nest locations were collected.Analyses and maps were created using ArcGIS.The“least cost path”was defined using the Cost Path tool.Results:The lowest values of the Cost Path were established for Long-legged Buzzard and the highest values were estimated for Golden Eagle.Intermediate Cost Path values for Peregrine Falcon were found.Conclusions:The Long-legged Buzzard could be considered as the most tolerant to human presence in its breeding territories.The Golden Eagle have the lowest degree of tolerance and the Peregrine Falcon is ranked in an intermedi-ate position compared to the other two species,but closer to Golden Eagle.
文摘Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species—Boreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)and Pygmy Owl(Glaucidium passerinum)—have been studied in refugial montane populations in the western Rhodopes,South Bulgaria.Data on owl presence and forest stand attributes recorded in situ have been used to identify significant predictors for owl occurrence.The results revealed Boreal Owl’s preference for comparatively dense forests(high canopy closure values),big trees(diameter at breast height≥50 cm)and large amount of fallen dead wood in penultimate stage of decay.For Pygmy Owl the only significant explanatory variable was the total amount of fallen dead wood.Results suggest preference of both owl species for forests with structural elements typical of old-growth forests(i.e.,veteran trees,deadwood),the Pygmy Owl being less prone to inhabit managed forests.Being at the rear edge of their Palearctic breeding range in Europe both Boreal and Pygmy Owls are of high conservation value on the Balkan Peninsula.Hence,additional efforts are needed for their conservation in the light of climate change and resulting alteration of forest structural parameters.Current findings can be used for adjusting forest management practices in order to ensure both,sustainable profit from timber and continuous species survival.
