Conflicts between Lesser Kestrel Conservation and European Agricultural Policies as Identified by Habitat Use Analyses

摘要: European pseudo-steppes have suffered from extensive changes in agricultural practices during the past decades with disappearance of field margins and fallow systems increase biocide treat- ments. The negative effect on wildlife has led to adoption by Union policies more compat- ible environmental conservation, but decisions about optimal land use are difficult make because lack information. We studied habitat Lesser Kestrel ( Falco naumanni ), a globally vulnerable spe- cies, Spanish pseudo-steppe (Los Monegros) where traditional agro-grazing still being prac- ticed, we compared results those another modern intensive agriculture been implemented. focused Kestrels habitats subject pro- voked recent policies. Habitat availability was determined 3-km radius around 11 colo- nies, 23 were radio-tracked chick-rearing stage. selection deter- mined through compositional analysis. rank selected similar for all kestrels, considering both surveyed kestrels hunted. cereal fields rejected abandoned crops scrubland. This selectivity seemed be due prey availability. In in- tensively cultivated areas used only small foraging patches ob- tained smaller than systems, probably irregular distribu- tion resources as result treatments. Consequently, intensively had larger home ranges (63.65 km 2 ) (12.36 ). These differences reflected productivity population trends populations. Thus, best strategy conserving seems maintainance cultures low treatments numerous margins. Both intensification marginal abandonment (with subsequent scrubland invasion) detrimental consequences this other species. Positive management steps can encouraged agro-environmental regulations such 2078/92 Reglament, which favors creation programs accord conservation.