Responses of medium- and large-sized bird diversity to irrigation in dry cereal agroecosystems across spatial scales

摘要: Abstract Conserving biological diversity under agriculture intensification is a global challenge given that the process erodes biodiversity worldwide. Recently, efforts have begun to move towards conserving in intensified farmland ecosystems, but there little understanding of how some kinds (e.g., irrigation) affect biodiversity. We aimed assess responses bird along an agricultural gradient from dry irrigation across spatial scales. covered 10-km-survey transects by car census medium- and large-sized birds through decreasing ranging irrigated cereal farming systems North-western Spain. evaluated breeding winter using different measures (species richness, abundance, true Shannon diversity), partitioning into components (α, β, γ). used turnover variation species composition. Changes had no effects on (total) total any season. However, led changes composition, severely affecting open-habitat specialist species, most which were threatened steppe birds. Βeta(β)-diversity at landscape scale (between-transects) contributed as much or more than β-diversity regional (between-farming sub-areas with degrees intensification) both seasons (i.e. spring winter). Our study suggests homogenization community driven intensification. Promoting landscape-scale habitat heterogeneity could be effective management measure improve long requirements specialists are met.