Changes in density and territory size of the Tawny Owl Strix aluco along an altitude gradient: the effect of forest types and wood cover

摘要: The authors correlated the percentage cover of forested areas with Tawny Owl Strix aluco density and territory size measured in deciduous woodlands along eleva- tion gradient central Italy. They calculated amount wooded per owl on basis four forest types (urban woods, sclerophyllous mesophilous montane beech woods). Breeding differed 3-fold among suggests that wood quality has a direct effect determining spatial patterns. is fairly stable all types, indicates mean requirement ca. 10 ha territory. smallest territories were 5 sized. Minimum habitat may depend locally quality. Management strate- gies based type should be undertaken to protect local high-density popu- lations this owl.