EU protected area network did not prevent a country wide population decline in a threatened grassland bird

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have assessed the effectiveness of the Protected Area networks on the conservation status of target species. Here, we assess the effectiveness of the Portuguese Natura 2000 (the European Union network of protected areas) in maintaining a species included in the Annex I of the Bird Directive, namely the population of a priority farmland bird, the little bustard Tetrax tetrax.MethodsWe measured the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 by comparing population trends across time (2003–2006 and 2016) in 51 areas, 21 of which within 12 Special Protection Areas (SPA) that were mostly designated for farmland bird conservation and another 30 areas without EU protection.ResultsOverall, the national population is estimated to have declined 49% over the last 10–14 years. This loss was found to be proportionally larger outside SPA (64% decline) compared to losses within SPA (25% decline). However, the absolute male density decline was significantly larger within SPA .DiscussionIn spite of holding higher population densities and having prevented habitat loss, we conclude that Natura 2000 was not effective in buffering against the overall bustard population decline. Results show that the mere designation of SPA in farmland is not enough to secure species populations and has to be combined with agricultural policies and investment to maintain not only habitat availability but also habitat quality.

Opposing population trajectories in two Bustard species: A long-term study in a protected area in Central Spain

“…These results for the Spanish Great Bustard population are consistent with those reported at different geographical scales and temporal periods in the last two decades, that have shown an overall, albeit irregular increase, depending on the area: populations located in Madrid have decreased recently (Palacín and Alonso 2018) and although the Extremadura population seems to have also suffered a decrease, recent trends for Badajoz province between 1988 and 2011, show than this population is holding stable (Sanchez and Garcia-Baquero 2012). By contrast, Little Bustard populations have suffered a generalised sharp decline across all their south-west European range (Alonso et al 2005a, SEO/BirdLife 2016, Silva et al 2018; Table 1). However, this synopsis also highlights the lack of accurate information for Great Bustards in Castilla-La Mancha.…”

Male post‐breeding movements and stopover habitat selection of an endangered short‐distance migrant, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

“…Ribeiro et al 2014). This widespread change in agricultural systems is affecting grassland bird populations all over Europe (Donald et al 2006) and Little Bustards have declined by c. 50% in Portugal, possibly linked to habitat loss and degradation (Silva et al 2018). The preservation of open habitat areas between their main breeding and post-breeding areas is a key conservation measure to ensure the availability of adequate stopover sites and guarantee connectivity, and should be considered in future management and conservation plans.…”

“…The species has a Vulnerable conservation status in Europe, where it is mainly threatened by habitat loss and degradation (Silva et al . ), illegal killing and collision with power lines (Marcelino et al . ), and recent trends indicate a severe decline in breeding numbers in parts of their range (Silva et al .…”

“…Spain and Portugal are the stronghold of its western distribution, where the main breeding populations are mostly concentrated in the Extremadura, Castilla La Mancha (Spain) and Alentejo (Portugal) regions (De Juana & Mart ınez 1996, Garc ıa de la Morena et al 2006, Equipa Atlas 2008. The species has a Vulnerable conservation status in Europe, where it is mainly threatened by habitat loss and degradation (Silva et al 2018), illegal killing and collision with power lines (Marcelino et al 2017), and recent trends indicate a severe decline in breeding numbers in parts of their range (Silva et al 2018). Although Iberian Little Bustards have been considered mostly sedentary (e.g.…”

Changes in grassland management and linear infrastructures associated to the decline of an endangered bird population

“…At each point location, little bustard males were counted within a 250 m radius during 5 min within the first three hours after dawn or three hours before dusk, during April and May. For further details on little bustard surveys see Moreira et al 35 and Silva et al 37 .…”