Klein, Ákos and Szentirmai, István and Dobos, Zsófia and Laczi, Miklós (2020) Analysis of landscape structure, habitat selection and urbanisation in edge populations of Scops Owls Otus scops in Central Europe. ORNIS HUNGARICA, 28 (2). pp. 24-36. ISSN 1215-1610
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Analysis-of-landscape-structure-habitat-selection-and-urbanisation-in-edge-populations-of-Scops-Owls-Otus-scops-in-Central-Europe.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (680kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The habitat selection of Scops Owl Otus scops has not been studied in Hungary so far. The population in the Carpathian Basin can be considered as a range edge population. Yet, studying and conserving breeding population at the edge of the species’ range is important for the evolutionary potential of the species. In the present study, we examined Scops Owl populations situated on both sides of the Hungarian-Slovenian border. Although breeding density is significantly higher in Slovenia than in Hungary, we found no difference in the ecological diversity of the Goričko Nature Park (GNP), Slovenia and Vas County, Hungary. We found that both the proportion and total edge length of dry grasslands and intensively managed mesic grasslands were lower in Hungary. Similarly, market gardens were present in a larger proportion in GNP. These landscape features all indicate that the complex cultivation is still pronounced in GNP, favouring the Sops Owl as less intensive cultivation modes, like rural market gardens and grasslands play a key role in its habitat selection. Points with Scops Owl observations appeared to be closer to settlements than randomly generated points. They also were observed farther from primary roads than from secondary roads. This is in accordance with other studies revealing that these nocturnal birds avoid noisy roads. We briefly discuss why conserving range edge populations is important, and how time and effort optimised species conservation measures should accompany landscape protection at the political level.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | The Barn Owl Foundation, Temesvári utca 8, Orosztony, 8744, Hungary Orség National Park Directorate, Városszer 57, Oriszentpéter, 9941, Hungary Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary Cited By :1 Export Date: 4 July 2023 Correspondence Address: Klein, A.; The Barn Owl Foundation, Temesvári utca 8, Hungary; email: barnowlfoundation@gmail.com |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | range edge population, farmland bird, common agriculture policy, predation, Tawny Owl |
Subjects: | Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH540 Ecology / ökológia Q Science / természettudomány > QL Zoology / állattan |
SWORD Depositor: | MTMT SWORD |
Depositing User: | MTMT SWORD |
Date Deposited: | 03 Oct 2024 08:09 |
Last Modified: | 03 Oct 2024 08:09 |
URI: | https://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/206761 |
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