The first national Corncrake Crex crex survey in Slovenia was performed in 1992/93, followed by further five in 1999, 2004, 2010, 2015 and 2020. In 2004, annual monitoring of eight most important ...Corncrake Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) began. Both datasets showed a moderate population decline since 1992. After Slovenia’s accession to the EU in 2004, Corncrake population steeply declined at SPA Breginjski Stol and moderately declined at SPA Dobrava - Jovsi due to scrub encroachment, whereas moderate decline at SPA Ljubljansko barje can be attributed mostly to intensive grassland management and the conversion of grasslands to arable land, resulting in nest and habitat destruction. In 2020, the number of calling males in Slovenia was smaller by 55 % compared to 1999, when the highest number ever was recorded (683). The highest average number of Corncrakes in the 1992–2021 period was counted at SPA Ljubljansko barje (139 calling males/year), whereas the smallest number was recorded at SPA Snežnik - Pivka (8 calling males/year). A comparison of target values for Corncrake population size on individual SPAs from the national Natura 2000 management programme for the 2015–2020 period with counted population sizes showed that, with the exception of SPA Lake Cerknica, all SPAs are falling behind the target values by 32–90%, depending on the site. Likewise, the majority of sites are far from reaching target values for the enrolment of agri-environmental measure VTR (first cut after 1 Aug). The article also discusses the weaknesses of current VTR, its reform in 2021, as well as other potential measures and financial sources for Corncrake conservation.
The first national Corncrake
survey in Slovenia was performed in 1992/93, followed by further five in 1999, 2004, 2010, 2015 and 2020. In 2004, annual monitoring of eight most important Corncrake ...Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) began. Both datasets showed a moderate population decline since 1992. After Slovenia’s accession to the EU in 2004, Corncrake population steeply declined at SPA Breginjski Stol and moderately declined at SPA Dobrava - Jovsi due to scrub encroachment, whereas moderate decline at SPA Ljubljansko barje can be attributed mostly to intensive grassland management and the conversion of grasslands to arable land, resulting in nest and habitat destruction. In 2020, the number of calling males in Slovenia was smaller by 55 % compared to 1999, when the highest number ever was recorded (683). The highest average number of Corncrakes in the 1992–2021 period was counted at SPA Ljubljansko barje (139 calling males/year), whereas the smallest number was recorded at SPA Snežnik - Pivka (8 calling males/year). A comparison of target values for Corncrake population size on individual SPAs from the national Natura 2000 management programme for the 2015–2020 period with counted population sizes showed that, with the exception of SPA Lake Cerknica, all SPAs are falling behind the target values by 32–90%, depending on the site. Likewise, the majority of sites are far from reaching target values for the enrolment of agri-environmental measure VTR (first cut after 1 Aug). The article also discusses the weaknesses of current VTR, its reform in 2021, as well as other potential measures and financial sources for Corncrake conservation.
•Patch diversity was smaller on consolidated sites, with arable fields prevailing.•Bird diversity and abundance of most species were higher on non-consolidated sites.•Only Eurasian Skylark and Common ...Stonechat were more abundant on consolidated sites.•Land consolidation negatively affects birds’ European conservation value.•Land consolidation should not be performed at Natura 2000 sites.
Land consolidation can negatively affect biodiversity, as it is usually followed by the expansion of arable land, a decrease in crop and land cover diversity, and an increase in the application of agrochemicals. The aim of our study was to compare the species’ composition and abundance of farmland birds, as well as habitat structure, on consolidated and non-consolidated sites in Goričko, NE Slovenia. Habitat diversity was much lower on consolidated sites compared to non-consolidated ones, with arable fields and associated habitats (e.g. grass field margins, field tracks) prevailing on the former. Non-consolidated sites held higher proportions of different types of meadows, hedgerows, solitary trees, succession and traditional orchards. Farmland bird diversity and the abundance of a majority of farmland bird species were higher on non-consolidated sites. The only two exceptions to this were the Eurasian Skylark and the Common Stonechat, which were more abundant on consolidated sites. Both of the species suffered population declines at Goričko in the period 1997–2016, bringing into question the suitability of intensively managed arable fields as their breeding and foraging habitat. Individual species’ regression analysis revealed that the most influential positive explanatory variable for the presence of Red-backed Shrike, Tree Sparrow and Common Whitethroat was non-consolidated, extensively managed mosaic landscape, whereas for the Yellowhammer this explanatory variable was superseded only by forest islands without traditional orchards. Land consolidation, as performed in Slovenia, negatively affects farmland bird diversity and its European conservation value, which is why it should not be performed on Natura 2000 sites, designated for nature conservation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We studied the effects of different land uses on conservation value and bird diversity in a Northern Adriatic karstic landscape. Our research area was situated in SW Slovenia and was covered with dry ...pastures and meadows in different stages of forest sucession and with different grazing intensities. We surveyed birds in 2007 and 2012 using the line transect method, with 50.4 km being covered each year. In the analysis we divided the survey transects into 200 m tiles which were used as statistical units in the analysis. We then modelled conservation value, bird diversity and bird abundances with different land uses; we used boosted regression trees as a modelling tool. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that a distinct group of birds occurred on tiles with higher grazing intensity. The species in this group also had significantly higher abundances in 2012 than in 2007. Forest succession was the most important predictor of SPA conservation value (Special Protected Areas according to the Directive on the conservation of wild birds of the European Union) and had negative effect on it; grazing intensity had a unimodal positive influence on conservation value and was most beneficial at low intensity. The model for the European conservation value showed a rather low predictive power. Farmland bird diversity was also negatively affected by forest and positively by grazing intensity. For the four Natura 2000 species—protected species in the SPA Kras (Woodlark
Lullula arborea
, Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurio
, Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandra
and Skylark
Alauda arvensis
), forest cover also had a negative effect. Grazing intensity had a positive effect for Woodlark, Red-backed Shrike and Skylark. The highest SPA conservation value and farmland bird diversity could therefore be achieved in a landscape with as low a forest succession as possible and grazing present but at low intensity. We recommend inclusion of appropriate measures in the agri-environment schemes (CAP pillar II) of Rural Development Programmes of the countries in the region with similar areas. The payments should be sufficiently stimulative to reopen the large areas subject to forest encroachment in the Northern Adriatic hinterland.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
•The Scops Owl population is declining.•Main causes are linked to human activity.•Landscape dynamics reveal its potential fate.•Spatial results serve as decision support for proper environmental ...planning.
Biodiversity is declining across Europe. Modern agricultural practices, habitat fragmentation, land abandonment and climate change are key factors causing current trends in environmental change. Mobile organisms such as raptors, positioned high in the food chain, are good indicators of negative or positive landscape dynamics, since their response is fast. This assumption was tested by investigating the Scops Owl (Otus scops) population in a traditional Central European cultural landscape (Goričko Nature Park GNP) in Slovenia. The negative trend in male calling Scops Owls was correlated with static and dynamic environmental change variables derived from remotely sensed or field-based, multi-temporal data sources. Key geospatial predictors were identified and used for bird calling and breeding (C&B) suitability modelling. All geospatial models developed predicted a decline in C&B suitability (even by 33%) in almost all areas where the bird is currently active. However, the NE part of the GNP could achieve better C&B conditions for theScops Owl in the coming years (a potential 36% increase in suitability). Predictions indicate that more effort and action, to conserve the Scops Owl in the study area should be implemented in the N, NE and E part of the hilly GNP. Our results are thus highly applicable not just for decision makers in this protected area but rather in all areas across the Scops Owl’s continental population, since the methodology is easily replicable and transferable.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Farmland birds in the European Union have declined by 57% in the past 35 years, raising the need for efficient, large-scale conservation measures to halt and reverse their negative trends. The ...Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops is an indicator of extensively managed agricultural landscapes, typical of areas of high biodiversity. Its breeding biology is poorly known, but central to understanding the drivers of its marked decline in different European countries, including Slovenia. We used GPS-loggers to study home range size and habitat use of breeding individuals in NE Slovenia. Kernel home ranges (95%) of three females were estimated and their habitat use was analysed by spatial logistic regression models with Moran's Eigenvectors. Individual home range sizes ranged from 2.2 to 48.2 ha. In general, the females preferred to forage close to their nests. One female had a much larger home range than the other two, because of her exploitation of presumably highly profitable foraging grounds far away from her nest. In a mosaic of different agricultural habitats, the females showed a clear preference for extensively managed areas, such as hedges, meadows, abandoned vineyards and traditional orchards. Based on our findings several conservation measures are proposed, aimed at enhancing insect diversity and abundance as well as prey accessibility.
In 2008, the IUCN uplisted the Curlew to near-threatened (NT) on its Red List. The bird's population in Slovenia is localised and small, thus making it very important to be surveyed every year. Using ...the point count method, we recorded 9-12 breeding pairs in 2011 and 9-10 pairs in 2012 at Ljubljansko barje. Most of them were distributed in the eastern part of the area between the village of Lipe and the river Iscica, whereas only two occupied territories were discovered in 2011 and one in 2012 in the western part of the area. In a ten-year period, the area underwent agricultural intensification, with lowland non-intensive meadows declining by 50%. As a minimal requirement, meadows within the extent of the Curlew's current distribution at Ljubljansko barje should be non-intensively managed (late first cut, no fertilizing or sowing of grass mixtures) and all other human activities prohibited from the beginning of March till the end of June (dog walking and training, ballooning, aircraft modelling). Based on the results of 2011 survey, Ljubljansko barje was designated an IBA for breeding Eurasian Curlews under the IBA criteria A1 and C1.
Habitat selection of the Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops was studied in Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia, 180 km2) where abiotic conditions, especially climate, could be considered suboptimal for ...this xerothermophilic species. Data on the number and distribution of calling males were gathered in May and June 2004–06 using the playback method. A total of 137 calling males were counted (29 in 2004, 66 in 2005, 42 in 2006). To avoid pseudo-replication, 72 non-overlapping sites were selected for habitat analysis. Habitat within 250-m radius plots surrounding owl sites was compared with 136 unoccupied and non-overlapping sites. Within plots, 14 habitat variables were measured. Discriminating variables between occupied and non-occupied sites were identified with stepwise logistic regression. Scops Owl occupation was positively associated with the number of tree lines, and slightly negative with the surface area of woodland and settlements. Scops Owls preferred sites with a higher than average proportion of traditional orchards, tree lines, scrub, unimproved meadows, and tree plantations. Tree plantations were only used by owls during 2005, when the number of calling males was highest. All males were unpaired, perhaps indicating inexperienced or late-arriving males outcompeted to marginal habitat. Conservation actions needed to maintain this population of Scops Owl at the northern border of its breeding range include: (1) preserve and rejuvenate traditional orchards and isolated trees in farmyards, (2) encourage renovation of old houses and their farmyards and discourage high density housing, (3) protect and restore tree lines and copses, (4) enlarge the proportion of unimproved meadows, and (5) limit the increase of cropland and the use of biocides.
Abstract Due to numerous bird surveys in the past 20 years, the avifauna of Goričko is relatively well known. For some species, the very first national ecological researches were conducted in this ...area. The article summarizes all bird surveys so far. It presents population trends of farmland species which is one of the most threatened bird groups in Europe. Most of the qualifying species of this habitat that are protected within the Natura 2000 network have suffered a decline at Goričko, specifically Quail Coturnix coturnix , Scops Owl Otus scops , Hoopoe Upupa epops , Woodlark Lullula arborea and White Stork Ciconia ciconia . The number of breeding pairs of the latter has not changed, but its fecundity has decreased. Furthermore, populations of other farmland bird species have decreased, for example Skylark Alauda arvensis , Stonechat Saxicola rubicola , Serin Serinus serinus and Common Linnet Linaria cannabina , as well as butterfly populations and tracts of grassland habitat types. National agricultural and nature conservation policies are evidently inefficient in protecting the biodiversity of Goričko. The most probable cause for bird population decline is agricultural intensification, which manifests itself at Goričko as disappearance and intensification of meadows, land consolidation, degradation of traditional orchards and use of pesticides. As a result of land consolidation hedges, uncultivated strips between fields, individual trees and bushes and minority habitat types are disappearing, whereas the surface of arable fields is increasing. Nature conservation measures performed by the Public Institute Goričko Nature Park with the support of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia volunteers seem to be efficient, but are spatially and temporally constrained. For this reason, they cannot serve as a substitute for insufficient systemic financing which could be improved by substantive and financial reform of the agri-environmental scheme. Currently, a negligible percentage (1% in 2016) of Goričko is covered by agrienvironmental scheme measures with positive influence on qualifying species and habitat types. As a consequence, only an insignificant share of subsidies from the Rural Development Plan is used for nature protection at Goričko. If the system of agricultural subsidies remains unaltered, no improvement of the conditions for bird conservation at Goričko can be expected.
From 4 to 31 May 2010, raptor migration was monitored daily between 9.00 and 17.00 hrs CET at Breginjski Stol (NW Slovenia). In all, 2,385 raptor passes were counted, belonging to at least 17 species ...that were divided into resident and migratory birds. Residents (n = 875 passes) foraged, bred or daily migrated over the area. Among them, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus was the most frequent species (n = 575 passes) with the largest observed group of 35 individuals on 26 May. In the morning, Griffon Vultures were flying from west to east in search of food, whereas in the afternoon they were returning in the opposite direction to their colony in Forgaria nel Friuli (Italy). Their numbers increased after 15 May, when Croatian Griffons joined those from Italy. Altogether, 1,510 individuals of migratory raptors were counted, belonging to at least nine species. Among them, Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was the most common (1,368 ind., 90.6% of migratory raptors). The migration peak was reached on 14 May, with 552 individuals. Most raptors were seen migrating solitarily or in small flocks (2-4 ind.), whereas on five days (4, 7, 11, 13, 14 May) over 20% of all observed flocks were either medium-sized (5-15 ind.) or large (> 15 ind.). Raptors mostly migrated between 9.00 and 13.00 hrs. Taking into consideration several factors - short observation period and limited number of observation hours per day, overlooked raptors due to human- and topography-related causes, movements of observers between observation points, extremely bad weather and night migration of raptors - we estimate that the actual number of migratory raptors that passed Breginjski Stol in spring 2010 was 3,060-4,660 individuals. Thus, Breginjski Stol is the first confirmed bottleneck site of European importance for migratory raptors in Slovenia, as defined by BirdLife International IBA criterion B1iv, and a natural continuation of migratory pathways from northern Italy.
Popis selečih se ujed na Breginjskem Stolu (SZ Slovenija) - prvo potrjeno ozko grlo v Sloveniji
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