Abstract
The study was based on an overlay analysis in GIS. Exact locations of 108 nest and layers representing forest types, prevailing tree species, forest age and productivity (bonitet class) were used. The analysis was performed on the level of individual nests (spatial join to point layer), and on the level of buffers with 500m radius around nests. To find the most preferable forest types for Black Stork we compared the frequency of distribution of forest types on the nesting territories with the frequency of distribution of those types in the study area and in 500m buffers around 108 random points. According to the results of our research, the spatial distribution of Black Stork nests to a great extant follows the general structure of forests in the region. We found some selectivity in case of wet forest types with prevalence of oak with pine, as well as with black alder, but the result is not statistically significant. The only statistically significant relation was found in case of forest age. Black Storks prefer old and mature forests. The most important trees for nesting were oak (53,3%) and pine (29,9%).
Highlights
Conservation of any species is usually impossible without protection of habitats important for their breeding, foraging, resting etc
The analysis of Black Stork spatial distribution in relation to forest habitat types was performed in the territories of eight forestry companies in the Rivne region of Ukraine, which overlap with the Polissya nature zone and with the kernel of Black Storks highest population density, as well as with the main part of the breeding range of this species in Ukraine
Usage of forest habitats by Black Stork in Rivne region The results of the analysis show that there is a strong correlation between the Black Stork habitat selection and the general structure of forests in the region, on each of the analysis levels
Summary
Conservation of any species is usually impossible without protection of habitats important for their breeding, foraging, resting etc. Most of them are based on the studies made in Central and East European countries [1, 4, 7, 11, 12 etc.], mostly Baltic countries, which is reasonable, taking into account the species distribution in Europe and the sizes of national populations [2, 10]. Ukraine possesses a significant part of the European Black Stork population [2, 10] and is interesting as a territory of breeding range margin, where European Forest zone borders with steppes. One study [14] was related to habitats and their changes but was mostly analytical and based on expert opinions without appropriate raw numerical data. Current publication aims to fill some of gaps in this area of Black Stork studies using GIS approach
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