Constraints on raptor distribution at the southwestern boundary of the Palaearctic: implications for conservation

摘要: Populations at the far edges of their ranges tend to be scarce, and they are frequently conservation concern. This paper examines distribution three raptors (Circaetus gallicus, Hieraaetus pennatus Milvus migrans) southwestern boundary breeding range. We modelled species obtain habitat suitability indexes that were validated with extensive fieldwork in Morocco Spain. Our results support a strong effect bottleneck Strait Gibraltar on raptor distribution. However, after controlling for these effects, scarcer than did not find differences between two countries number power lines dangerous or general impacts agricultural intensification bird populations (we assessed more farmland birds Morocco). many people (i.e., shepherds) detected Morocco, whose negative could explain depletion populations. These transboundary used discuss fate peripheral context climate change rural abandonment. They also highlight need strengthening around Gibraltar, where permanent flow converges throughout year.