The effect of environmental variables on owl distribution in Central Europe: A case study from the Czech Republic

Ševčík, Richard; Riegert, Jan; Šťastný, Karel; Zárybnický, Jan; Zárybnická, Markéta

doi:10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101375

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 54 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…When looking at specific temperatures for each species in the current distributions, the Boreal Owl is more sensitive to higher temperatures than the Eurasian Pygmy Owl due to its absence in areas with higher temperatures than 31 °C. Similar results have been reported in a study from the Czech Republic, proving that Boreal owls prefer colder temperatures and higher altitudes [ 86 ], and which provides further evidence that species in southern populations, such as in the Balkan Peninsula, are a postglacial relict. The next environmental variable that contributes the most to spatial distribution for the Eurasian Pygmy Owl was elevation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The next environmental variable that contributes the most to spatial distribution for the Eurasian Pygmy Owl was elevation. The species prefer higher altitudes, which contradicts the results from the study in the Czech Republic [ 86 ]. This is most probably because the Balkan Peninsula has a tree line at higher altitudes than the Czech Republic.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 88%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Environmental Niche Modelling Predicts a Contraction in the Potential Distribution of Two Boreal Owl Species under Different Climate Scenarios

Floigl

Rajković²,

Topić³

et al. 2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studying current and future geographic distribution is essential for conserving endangered species such as the Boreal Owl and Eurasian Pygmy Owl. The main aim of this study was to determine the potential distribution of both species in the Balkan Peninsula by using spatial distribution models (SDMs) in MaxEnt. We used data from field surveys, the scientific and grey literature, and an online database. We considered the current time and two future periods, 2041–2060 and 2061–2080. For future periods, we included different climate scenarios (SSP 126, 245, 370, and 585) in studying the potential geographic distribution of both species. We identified two types of potential future refugia for species: in situ and ex situ. Our study shows the highly suitable area for the Boreal Owl increased during the 2041–2060 period compared with the current area in all scenarios, except in SSP 585. However, during the 2061–2080 period, the highly suitable areas contracted. For the Eurasian Pygmy Owl, highly suitable areas decreased during 2041–2060, but during the 2061–2080 period, it was larger than the current area. Our study is of importance for conservation and preserving areas of potential distribution and refugia for Boreal and Eurasian Pygmy Owls in the face of climate change.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 88%

Environmental Niche Modelling Predicts a Contraction in the Potential Distribution of Two Boreal Owl Species under Different Climate Scenarios

Floigl

Rajković²,

Topić³

et al. 2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Coniferous trees are usually preferred by foresters in managed forests and in higher density. Their presence represents an important parameter for the pygmy and Tengmalm's owl (Pačenovský & Šotnár 2010, Brambila et al 2015, Mestecăneanu & Mestecăneanu 2020, Ševčík et al 2021). The forest management can produce smaller or larger clearings that may provide preferred habitats (Rumbutis et al 2017) or impact fledglings production (Hakkarainen et al 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owls’ responses to forest conservation in the Alps

Nemček,

Kohl

2023

Raptor Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As inhabitants of cavities, some owl species benefit from natural processes, different tree compositions and higher volumes of dead wood. We assumed that protected areas would have a positive impact on the owl community. We compared the abundance of calling owls on 22 lines in managed versus protected forests. Here, we recorded the acoustic communication of owls. The composition of the owl community did not differ between areas. However, we found the impact of forest landscape integrity index and altitude on the diversity of owls. Forests in protected areas probably need time to develop natural and heterogeneous habitat structures. The conservation priority should be to increase the integrity of the forests. Our results also confirmed that managed forests can have a high diversity of owls.

show abstract

“…Second, nest boxes should be distributed preferably in coniferous forest habitats at high and middle elevations (above 600 m a. s. l.), providing optimal climate conditions for the study species 15 , 34 , 69 . Among owls in the Czech Republic, only the boreal owl prefers inhabiting the highest elevations 15 , 34 . Our findings support the elevational preference because the boreal owl was the most abundant owl species in all years on the Ore Mts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Europe, this threatened species (European directive 2009/147/EC, Annex I) exhibits foraging, habitat, and nest-site specialization 14 . It predominantly inhabits coniferous forests in the northern latitudes and coniferous or mixed forests in high altitudes in Central and Southern Europe 4 , 15 . This species is limited by the availability of natural tree cavities excavated by black woodpeckers; however, it also readily breeds in artificial wooden boxes (e.g., 3 , 16 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest structure determines nest box use by Central European boreal owls

Ševčík

Kloubec

Riegert

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nest boxes represent a popular tool to support secondary cavity-nesting species. Surprisingly, the benefits and limitations of nest boxes for target species in different environments are poorly understood. We performed a 3-years experimental study in two different Central European forests to evaluate nest box use and breeding performance of boreal owl (Aegolius funereus) — a species well known for its readiness to occupy nest boxes. Based on territorial vocalisation, two boreal owl populations 200 km apart were similarly abundant in their environments. However, only the boreal owl population in young restored Norway (Picea abies) and blue (Picea pungens) spruce-dominated forests on mountain plateaus readily occupied nest boxes with the occupancy reaching 8–15%. Nest boxes lost their supporting function for the boreal owl in mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)-dominated forests in the lowland, where the nest box occupancy reached 0–1%. As a result, the population of boreal owls that used nest boxes in the young restored forests produced 10 times more fledglings than the population inhabiting mature Scots pine forests. We explain the differences by the contrasting availability of natural tree cavities between the two study areas being much higher in mature Scots pine forests. For the first time, this study documents differences in nest box use despite similar food availability and population size of the target species. The study provides the findings-related recommendations for deploying nest boxes for boreal owls and points out a general lack of practical guides.

show abstract

The effect of environmental variables on owl distribution in Central Europe: A case study from the Czech Republic

Cited by 5 publications

References 54 publications

Environmental Niche Modelling Predicts a Contraction in the Potential Distribution of Two Boreal Owl Species under Different Climate Scenarios

Environmental Niche Modelling Predicts a Contraction in the Potential Distribution of Two Boreal Owl Species under Different Climate Scenarios

Owls’ responses to forest conservation in the Alps

Forest structure determines nest box use by Central European boreal owls

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About