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PloS one2008; 3(8); e3006; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003006

Habitat-specific population growth of a farmland bird.

Abstract: To assess population persistence of species living in heterogeneous landscapes, the effects of habitat on reproduction and survival have to be investigated. Results: We used a matrix population model to estimate habitat-specific population growth rates for a population of northern wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe breeding in farmland consisting of a mosaic of distinct habitat (land use) types. Based on extensive long-term data on reproduction and survival, habitats characterised by tall field layers (spring- and autumn-sown crop fields, ungrazed grasslands) displayed negative stochastic population growth rates (log lambda(s): -0.332, -0.429, -0.168, respectively), that were markedly lower than growth rates of habitats characterised by permanently short field layers (pastures grazed by cattle or horses, and farmyards, log lambda(s): -0.056, +0.081, -0.059). Although habitats differed with respect to reproductive performance, differences in habitat-specific population growth were largely due to differences in adult and first-year survival rates, as shown by a life table response experiment (LTRE). Conclusions: Our results show that estimation of survival rates is important for realistic assessments of habitat quality. Results also indicate that grazed grasslands and farmyards may act as source habitats, whereas crop fields and ungrazed grasslands with tall field layers may act as sink habitats. We suggest that the strong decline of northern wheatears in Swedish farmland may be linked to the corresponding observed loss of high quality breeding habitat, i.e. grazed semi-natural grasslands.
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Publication Date: 2008-08-20 PubMed ID: 18714351PubMed Central: PMC2500169DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003006Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The researchers used a population model to understand the habitat-specific growth rates of northern wheatears, a farmland bird species. They found that habitats with tall field layers showed negative growth rates compared to those with short field layers. Based on their findings, the team suggests that survival rates and habitat quality play key roles in population growth, with grazed grasslands and farmyards possibly serving as crucial habitats for the bird population.

Matrix Population Model Utilization

  • The researchers made use of a matrix population model to evaluate habitat-specific population growth rates for northern wheatears, a bird species that exists in farmland.
  • This method supports the calculation of growth rates across varying land use types observed in their habitat.

Population Growth Rates findings

  • Habitats characterized by tall field layers such as fields sown in spring or autumn and ungrazed grasslands revealed negative stochastic population growth rates, making them less conducive for population growth.
  • On the other hand, habitats with permanently short field layers such as farmlands grazed by cattle or horses and farmyards showed greater growth rates.

Survival Rates and Habitat Quality

  • This study reinforces the importance of survival rates when assessing habitat quality. The differences in habitat-specific growth were largely due to variations in adult and first-year survival rates.
  • The life table response experiment (LTRE) used in this study further emphasized this factor.

Habitats as Source and Sink

  • Results from the research suggest that grazed grasslands and farmyards could act as source habitats, contributing positively to the bird population growth.
  • In contrast, fields with tall field layers (crop fields and ungrazed grasslands) could potentially act as sink habitats, reducing or negatively impacting the bird population.

Decline of Northern Wheatears in Swedish Farmland

  • The serious decline of northern wheatears in Swedish farmland may be attributed to the observed loss of high-quality breeding habitats.
  • Thus, the preservation of grazed semi-natural grasslands could be essential in helping improve the population numbers of this bird species.

Cite This Article

APA
Arlt D, Forslund P, Jeppsson T, Pärt T. (2008). Habitat-specific population growth of a farmland bird. PLoS One, 3(8), e3006. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003006

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 8
Pages: e3006
PII: e3006

Researcher Affiliations

Arlt, Debora
  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Debora.Arlt@ekol.slu.se
Forslund, Pär
    Jeppsson, Tobias
      Pärt, Tomas

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Demography
        • Ecosystem
        • Kinetics
        • Life Tables
        • Passeriformes / physiology
        • Population Growth
        • Territoriality

        Conflict of Interest Statement

        The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 19 times.
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