Whether management for so-called umbrella species actually benefits co-occurring biota has rarely been tested. Here, we studied consequences for multiple invertebrate taxa of two grounddisturbance treatments designed to support an avian umbrella species (Eurasian stone-curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus), and whether analysing ecological requirements across the regional species pool predicted beneficiaries. Responses were assessed for the abundance of five bird species of conservation concern, and the abundance, species richness and composition of carabids, staphylinids, other beetles (non-carabid, non-staphylinid), true bugs and ants, sampling 31258 individuals of 402 species in an extensively-replicated experiment across the UK's largest grassheath. Both treatments provided suitable habitat for the umbrella species, in contrast to controls.Treatment influenced the abundance of only one bird species; but carabid, other beetle and ant richness increased with one or both treatments, while staphylinid richness and abundance increased and true bug richness and abundance decreased with both treatments. Richness of 'priority' (rare, scarce or threatened) invertebrates a priori considered to share ecological requirements with the umbrella species (predicted beneficiaries) increased with both treatments. Resampling and rarefaction showed landscapes diversified by treatment supported a greater cumulative species richness of other beetles, ants and true bugs, and importantly priority invertebrates, than a landscape comprising only untreated controls. Such experiments provide strong evidence to assess co-benefits of umbrella species management, but are costly and time consuming. The systematic examination of the autoecological requirements of co-occurring taxa (the 'Biodiversity Audit Approach') successfully predicted likely beneficiaries. Demonstrating wider biodiversity benefits strengthens the case for avian conservation management.

CapsuleWithin the UKs largest lowland Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata population, Curlew preferentially nested on physically-disturbed (treated) than undisturbed (control) grassland, and low nest survival rates were primarily attributable to Red Fox Vulpes vulpes. AimsTo inform conservation interventions for Curlew within semi-natural lowland drygrassland landscapes. MethodsAcross a 3,700 ha lowland dry-grassland landscape, over two years, effects of grounddisturbance management on Curlew nest placement (n=41) were examined using GLMs controlling for vegetation strata; effects of site and management on nest survival (n=44) were examined controlling for lay date and year. Nest predator identity was investigated using temperature sensors (n=28) and nest cameras (n=10). ResultsCurlews were five times more likely to nest on physically-disturbed than undisturbed grassland. Nest survival (overall mean 0.24 ± 0.07, SE) was not influenced by year or ground-disturbance but declined with lay date and differed markedly between the two sites, consistent with predator control. Predation accounted for 29/32 of failed nests and was predominantly at night (17/23 cases where timing was known, p<0.001), consistent with mammalian predators. Cameras indicated Foxes to be the main predator (4/5 cases). Overall breeding productivity was 0.16 ± 0.01 (SE) chicks per nesting attempt. ConclusionCurlew suffered from unsustainably high rates of nest predation primarily attributable to Foxes. A combination of perimeter fencing and lethal predator control appeared to improve nest success at one site. Ground-disturbance treatment could encourage nesting attempts in areas managed to minimise predator density.

To determine whether ground-disturbance increased Woodlark Lullula arborea abundance, we examined responses over 3 years to four treatments varying in establishment method (shallow-or deep-cultivated) and complexity (homogeneous or 'complex-mosaics' comprising fallow and recently cultivated subplots), plus controls, replicated across the largest lowland grass-heath in the UK. Abundance increased through the study and was higher on plots closer to woodland and across all treatments. Within complex-mosaics, Woodlark preferentially used recently cultivated subplots over 1-or 2year-old fallows. Regardless of treatment detail, providing suitable foraging habitat within c. 45 m of woodland, through annual ground-disturbance, can increase Woodlark abundance within lowland grass-heaths characterized by closed swards.

Effective conservation is often informed by focal species studies to identify beneficial land management interventions. For nocturnal or cryptic species, quantifying habitat use across individually marked animals can allow unbiased assessment of intervention efficacy and identify other important habitats. Here, using a landscape-scale experiment, we examine whether interventions intended to create nesting habitat for the largely nocturnal Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus within semi-natural grassland also provide foraging habitat. GPS loggers were fitted to five adult Stonecurlews during the breeding season within an extensive area of semi-natural grassland (3850 ha, hereafter 'grassland'), surrounded by a mosaic of arable cropland (total study area 118 600 ha). The largely closed-sward grassland was diversified by experimental ground-disturbance plots (the intervention) prior to this study. We used the GPS fixes to identify 1881 foraging locations (510 during nesting and 1371 postbreeding) across the grassland and surrounding landscape. Most foraging locations were close to the nest-site during the nesting period (90% within 1 km) or day-roost during post-breeding (90% within 5 km), but birds travelled up to 4.1 km from these sites during nesting and 13 km post-breeding. Stone-curlews were two-(by night) or three-times (by day) more likely to select disturbed-grassland over unmodified grassland for foraging during nesting, and c. 15 times more likely to do so post-breeding. Spring-sown crops and pig fields or manure heaps were also selected over grassland for nocturnal foraging. Given that central place foraging occurs in this species, conservation efforts that promote breeding attempts through ground-disturbance should ensure suitable foraging habitat is near the nest (<1 km). Creating multiple areas of disturbed-ground close to the edge of large grassland blocks can provide a network of nesting and foraging habitats, while allowing access to foraging habitats on the surrounding arable farmland. Similar interventions may benefit other disturbance associated grassland waders.

Different combinations of reasoning and experience define four "truth strategies"-sets of rules which guide the search for knowledge and the elimination of error-in the modern university. The authors discuss how the presence of multiple truth strategies and shifts in strategies within fields affect the organization and administration of universities.