Effects of forestry and other land-use practices on the conservation of cinereous vultures

摘要: Managing forests to meet both production and conservation goals is a growing challenge around the world, particularly as forest areas devoid of human intervention continue shrink in area. There general lack information about response long-lived vertebrates silvicultural treatments due difficulty carrying out long-term studies that can disentangle effects forestry from other factors influencing distribution numbers large organisms. We examined responses Cinereous Vulture, Aegypius monachus, two divergent practices colonies where ∼10% European population breeds: (1) exploitation mature high mountains (highland colony), (2) clear-cutting regeneration lower altitude mountain (lowland colony). Distribution patterns Vultures were determined mainly by human-related activities, well orographic variables, whereas structure had lesser influence. Ecological such orography greater influence abundance vultures highland area, variables associated with disturbance was stronger lowland area consistently selected low incidence activity breed. A major fraction variability breeding success not explained considered, although human-caused rainfall during nestling period negative on colony. The activities may persist for long time, even after direct impacts these have diminished. In order effectively conserve areas, it be necessary protect suitable habitat near nests. addition, halting illegal poisoning strict necessity guarantee colonies. Social conflict between conservationists managers who employ local people nonproductive tasks could easily resolved conducting silviculture-related are unimportant directing employment toward related nature conservation.