Abstract
Multidimensional approaches must be employed when addressing habitat use patterns. In this study, we aim to elucidate the hierarchical nature of space use by species inhabiting fragmented landscapes, using the threatened Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti). The intensity of space use by Dupont’s lark was estimated using the Kernel Density Function on territory locations in 2015. We measured descriptors of habitat quality at metapopulation (connectivity and patch size), landscape (land-use types and anthropogenic disturbance) and microhabitat-scale (plant structure and composition, herbivore abundance and food availability) at 37 sampling stations. We fitted a Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) which yielded two components, accounting for 81% of total variance. Metapopulation-scale factors had the greatest explanatory power (32%), followed by microhabitat (17%) landscape (10%) and spatial predictors (3.6%). Connectivity and patch size were key factors explaining habitat use, and wind farms had a negative effect. At microhabitat-scale, space use was positively associated with Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Araneae and Diptera biomass, but negatively with Formicidae and Blattodea biomass, the cover of Stipa spp, Koeleria vallesiana and moss. This research highlights the hierarchical nature of habitat use in fragmented landscapes. Therefore, conservation measures should ensure connectivity, guarantee a minimum patch size, and improve habitat quality within patches.
Highlights
Multidimensional approaches must be employed when addressing habitat use patterns
Main factors are related with individual requirements[2], whereas landscape structure and factors determining population dynamics are crucial at larger spatial scales[3]
The third component PC3-Flor was negatively associated with the Stipa genus cover (−0.843) and the fourth component PC4-Flor was positively related with Koeleria vallesiana cover (0.695)
Summary
We aim to elucidate the hierarchical nature of space use by species inhabiting fragmented landscapes, using the threatened Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti). We measured descriptors of habitat quality at metapopulation (connectivity and patch size), landscape (land-use types and anthropogenic disturbance) and microhabitat-scale (plant structure and composition, herbivore abundance and food availability) at 37 sampling stations. We employed a multiscale approach to disentangle the hierarchical nature of habitat use by species inhabiting fragmented landscapes. We considered land uses and two sources of anthropogenic pressure: (1) wind farms since they have deleterious impacts on Dupont’s lark populations[14]; and (2) crops due to their fragmentation effect on shrub-steppes[15,16]. Epigean and flying arthropods have been described as important groups in the diet of Dupont’s lark[12,19], and coprophagous arthropods seem to be crucial in Dupont’s lark populations with high livestock density[20]
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