Predicting the implications of conservation management: a territorial occupancy model of Bonelli's eagle in Murcia, Spain

Abstract

Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus is a for the species. The model, which assumes demographic stability, estimates an equilibrium proportion of habitat threatened cliC-nesting raptor mainly distributed in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. The European occupancy as a function of life history parameters, dispersal behaviour and habitat suitability. In spite of population has declined and the species is considered Vulnerable in Spain. Before eCective conservation pro- some limitations the model identified the most important conservation measures required for an increase in the grammes can be proposed the causes of this decline need to be considered. In a monitoring programme of the proportion of territories occupied: the improvement of the survival of both territorial and non-territorial birds, population of Bonelli's eagle in Murcia carried out since 1983 we observed a marked decline, followed by a period and an increase in the proportion of suitable habitat. of stability that began in 1990. Using demographic data (territorial bird survival, non-territorial bird survival, Keywords Bonelli's eagle, demography, Hieraaetus fasciatus, management, Mediterranean, Spain, survival, and fecundity) for 1990-1998 we applied a territorial occupancy model to evaluate management alternatives territorial occupancy model.