Local habitat and landscape influence predation of bird nests on afforested Mediterranean cropland

摘要: Abstract Afforestation programs such as the one promoted by EU Common Agrarian Policy have contributed to spread tree plantations on former cropland. Nevertheless these afforestations may cause severe damage open habitat species, especially birds of high conservation value. We investigated predation artificial bird nests at young and farmland adjacent in central Spain. Predation rates were very both (95.6%) (94.2%) after two three week exposure. Plantation edge/area ratio development canopy decreased plantation area magpie (Pica pica) abundance increased within plantations, which also affected land use types around plantations. The nearby (positive effect), distance edge (negative type (mainly attributable location vineyards) explained habitat. conclude that particularly rapid or large with numbers magpies low development, located homogenous landscapes dominated herbaceous crops pastures no remnants semi-natural woody vegetation. Landscape planning should not favour ones studied here Mediterranean agricultural areas are highly valuable for ground-nesting species.