Predators and livestock reduce bird nest survival in intensive Mediterranean farmland

摘要: High nest predation is one of the factors potentially driving farmland bird declines, particularly in case ground-nesting species. Accordingly, recent calls have been made to address agri-environment schemes, but this hindered by limited understanding how processes operating at different scales affect patterns and additional such as livestock trampling contribute reduced survival. Using an artificial experiment, we assessed field management, landscape composition configuration, abundance potential avian predators mammalian carnivores affected rates grassland fields (pastures fallows) embedded intensive Mediterranean farmland. Mean per were 0.18 ± 0.23 SD 0.12 0.17 SD, respectively. However, there was strong spatial variation, with high losses (>50 %) occurring about quarter fields. Variation failure mainly related grazing predator abundances, while effects context negligible. Predation highest short swards. rate positively Egyptian mongooses dogs. To increase survival, schemes designed for birds should maintaining low stocking density. Further evaluation required on need controlling populations fast-expanding generalist mongooses.