Grazing improves habitat suitability for many ground foraging birds in Mediterranean wooded grasslands

摘要: Abstract Wooded grasslands, usually grazed, cover vast areas in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. They host rich resident bird communities and, winter, receive large numbers of migrants from Central European woodlands. Many species are partly or entirely dependent on ground foraging since winter food is often the most limiting factor for birds, maintaining suitable habitat crucial. To study how grazing influences suitability we carried out an experiment a wooded grassland Iberia, whereby was controlled 12 purposely fenced two-hectare plots (4 × 15 sheep/ha, 4 × 3 sheep/ha 4 × no grazing). We quantified features, abundance intensity use by ground-foraging birds each these plots. In addition, made focal observations feeding compared 1m2 patches with those nearby control patches. found that virtually all prefer to forage short vegetation high abundance. Measurements parameters experimental showed while shortens it decreases availability, thus has opposing effects important determinants suitability. Nevertheless, indicate that, overall, benefits assemblage ground-feeding presumably because advantages less cluttered habitats more than compensate lower prey. However, arboreal make forays had grazed Most benefited grazing, although they can under broad range levels, some clear preferences along gradient intensity. Such should be taken into consideration managers. general, maintained at level sufficient open up vegetation, increasing area occupied which almost forage. At moderate valuable management tool promote quality Mediterranean economic value threatened landscapes.