Habitat preferences of diurnal raptors in relation to human access to their breeding territories in the Balkan Mountain Range, Bulgaria

Nadejda Djorgova,Valko Biserkov,Dimitar Ragyov,Jordan Biserkov,Boris P Nikolov

doi:10.1186/s40657-021-00265-6

Nadejda Djorgova, Valko Biserkov + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00265-6

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Abstract

BackgroundIn 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 Buzzard (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.MethodsData about the nest locations were collected. Analyses and maps were created using ArcGIS. The “least cost path” was defined using the Cost Path tool.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThe 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 intermediate position compared to the other two species, but closer to Golden Eagle.

Highlights

In this study we examined the habitat preferences of three diurnal raptors in relation to human access
In the context of ecology, “the least cost path” analysis is traditionally employed mainly to assess the functional connectivity of landscapes for species and determine sites that are potentially used as dispersal routes or that should be conserved as biological corridors (Schadt et al 2002; LaRue and Nielsen 2008; Jobe and White 2009)
We aim to identify the selection of breeding habitat by the Golden Eagle, the Long-legged Buzzard, and the Peregrine Falcon in response to site accessibility by humans, and to compare the response of these species to human presence

Summary

Introduction

In this study we examined the habitat preferences of three diurnal raptors in relation to human access. Identifying the factors governing the nesting habitat selection of raptors with high conservation status may be of primary importance in determining the conservation objectives. Accessibility models can be used to analyze the impact of tourism as well as other human impacts on protected areas in order to identify more appropriate management and protection measures (Esteves et al 2011). They reduce costs and increase efficiency in conducting environmental studies (Greenwood 1996)

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