Irrigation canals in a semi-arid agricultural landscape surrounded by wetlands: Their role as a habitat for birds during the breeding season

摘要: Abstract Traditional water supply systems in semi-arid agrarian ecosystems, mainly irrigation canals, contribute to the diversity of landscape and influence composition species. To evaluate their effect on bird communities breeding season, we selected a rural area southeastern Spain, where an intricate extensive network canals cultivated areas is located between two wetlands declared as Natural Parks. Birds were counted at representative points distributed throughout canal which recorded several variables related physical features, vertical horizontal structure associated vegetation, reed development (Phragmites australis) land use neighboring areas. We detected 37 species, most also nearby. used Hierarchical Partitioning analyses identify strongly probability presence species richness. Vegetation cover height close together with development, important types explaining found that current management practices for reeds are not well-suited biodiversity conservation. therefore propose alternatives could be implemented cooperation stakeholders.