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Depredación Incidental de los Nidos y la Conservación de las Alondras Ibericas en los Arbustos Esteparios Semiaridos
Author(s) -
Yanes Miguel,
Suárez Francisco
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10030881.x
Subject(s) - predation , nest (protein structural motif) , geography , ecology , biology , biochemistry
Steppe larks are rare species in Europe, and several reserves have been established in Spain to promote their conservation. Little is known, however, about the benefits these reserves provide for Iberian larks. At Las Amoladeras Bird Reserve predation of lark nests was high according to the Mayfield method: 68–99% of nests were preyed upon, primarily by red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) and feral dogs. A negative correlation between canid abundance and daily nest survival was detected, but there was no relationship between predator abundance and lark density. There was a positive correlation between canid track abundance and rabbit density. Evidence indicated that lark nest predation in the Iberian shrubsteppes was an example of incidental predation (Vickery et al. 1992), which nevertheless has caused serious conservation problems for the larks. Lark densities in some areas decreased 80% during the 3 years of our study. Incidental predation, which is determined by rabbit abundance, is a complicating factor for the conservation of these ground‐nesting birds and should be taken into account in the management of reserves for steppe birds.