Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11000/6001

How to fit the distribution of apex scavengers into land-abandonment scenarios? The Cinereous vulture in the Mediterranean biome

Title:
How to fit the distribution of apex scavengers into land-abandonment scenarios? The Cinereous vulture in the Mediterranean biome
Authors:
García Barón, Isabel
Cortés Avizanda, Ainara
Verburg, Peter H.
Marques, Tiago A.
Moreno Opo, Rubén
Pereira, Henrique M.
Donázar, José Antonio  
Department:
Departamentos de la UMH::Biología Aplicada
Issue Date:
2018-06-16
URI:
http://hdl.handle.net/11000/6001
Abstract:
Aim Farmland abandonment or “ecological rewilding” shapes species distribution and ecological process ultimately affecting the biodiversity and functionality of ecosystems. Land abandonment predictions based on alternative future socioeconomic scenarios allow foretell the future of biota in Europe. From here, we predict how these forecasts may affect large‐scale distribution of the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), an apex scavenger closely linked to Mediterranean agro‐grazing systems. Location Iberian Peninsula. Methods Firstly, we modelled nest‐site and foraging habitat selection in relation to variables quantifying physiography, trophic resources and human disturbance. Secondly, we evaluate to what extent land abandonment may affect the life traits of the species and finally we determined how potential future distribution of the species would vary according to asymmetric socioeconomic land‐abandonment predictions for year 2040. Results Cinereous vultures selected breeding areas with steep slopes and low human presence whereas foraging areas are characterized by high abundance of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and wild ungulates. Liberalization of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could potentially transform positively 66% of the current nesting habitat, favouring the recovery of mature forest. Contrarily, land abandonment would negatively affect the 63% of the current foraging habitat reducing the availability of preferred food resources (wild European rabbit). On the other hand, the maintenance of the CAP would determine lower frequencies (24%–22%) of nesting and foraging habitat change. Main conclusions Land abandonment may result into opposite effects on the focal species because of the increase in nesting habitats and wild ungulates populations and, on the other hand, lower availability of open areas with poorer densities of European rabbits. Land‐abandonment models’ scenarios are still coarse‐grained; the apparition of new human uses in natural areas may take place at small‐sized and medium‐sized scales, ultimately adding complexity to the prediction on the future of biota and ecosystems.
Keywords/Subjects:
Aegypius monachus
logical rewilding
European Union
farmland
land abandonment
socioeconomies
Knowledge area:
Biología general y teórica
Type of document:
application/pdf
Access rights:
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
DOI:
https://doi.org/ DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12743
Appears in Collections:
Artículos Biología Aplicada



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