The decline of Cantabrian capercaillie: How much does habitat configuration matter?

摘要: The endangered Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) has undergone a severe decline during recent decades. Capercaillies require large tracts of mature forest, and are thus sensitive to landscape-level habitat alteration. high degree fragmentation anthropogenic disturbances in the suggested that patterns may be related population decline. To evaluate this we developed predictive suitability models. We used geographic information system (GIS) integrate environmental variables spatial context into two logistic models, comparing (a) presence vs. pseudo-absence units (General model) (b) abandoned (Decline model). obtained low overall poor connectivity between high-suitability areas. found evidence is indirectly process decline, relationship configuration goes beyond local scale average size forest fragments. suggest combination these modelling procedures provides deeper insight process, differentiating optimal suboptimal areas predicting direction eventual extinctions