Modelling European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur L. 1758) distribution in the south eastern Iberian Peninsula

A. Bermúdez–Cavero,G. M. López–Iborra,J. A. Gil–Delgado

doi:10.32800/abc.2021.44.0279

Abstract

The European turtle dove population and breeding range has declined sharply in Spain. This study reanalyses data from the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Alicante (SE Spain), aiming to identify the main variables related to its occurrence and abundance. We used hierarchical partitioning analysis to identify important environmental variables associated with natural vegetation, farming, hydrological web, anthropic presence, climate, and topography. Analysis combining the most explicative variables of each group identified the mixture of pines and scrubland in the semiarid areas and the length of unpaved roads as the most important variables with a positive effect on occurrence, while herbaceous crops and scrublands in dry ombrotype climate areas had the most important negative effect. Abundance was related only to the availability of water points. We discuss the implications of these findings for habitat management in conservation of this species.

Highlights

The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory species that winters in the sub–Saharan region but breeds from North Africa to the Urals (Cramp, 1985)
According to the hierarchical partitioning (HP) analysis of the occurrence data, the group of human pressure variables explained the highest percentage of deviance, followed closely by natural vegetation and farming variables
Herbaceous crops HP detected a negative effect of the two categories of this crop type that were not mixed with woody crops

Summary

Introduction

The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory species that winters in the sub–Saharan region but breeds from North Africa to the Urals (Cramp, 1985). Its population trend in Spain has been monitored since 1996 when assessment of populations of common birds began (SEO/BirdLife, 2010). A declining trend has been observed (Saenz de Buruaga et al, 2012), leading the species to be listed as vulnerable in the Red Data Book of Birds of Spain (Madroño et al, 2004). The main causes of the decline in turtle dove populations are loss of nesting habitat and reduced food availability (Browne et al, 2005). Another cause is unsustainable hunting during the spring migration and the late breeding season (Boutin and Lutz, 2007)

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