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Correlates of the change in Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus abundance in Scotland from 1988-91 to 1999
CapsuleThe change was correlated with environmental, habitat and management variables. Aims To identify factors correlated with a population decline and range contraction between 1988-91 and 1999. Methods Regression models are used to describe the variation in Ring Ouzel abundance in 1988-91, and th...
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Published in: | Bird study 2003-07, Vol.50 (2), p.97-105 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | CapsuleThe change was correlated with environmental, habitat and management variables.
Aims To identify factors correlated with a population decline and range contraction between 1988-91 and 1999.
Methods Regression models are used to describe the variation in Ring Ouzel abundance in 1988-91, and the change in Ring Ouzel abundance between 1988-91 and 1999.
Results The abundance of Ring Ouzels in 1988-91 was negatively correlated with improved pasture, but positively with heather/smooth grass mosaic and Nardus/Molinia grassland. There was also a positive quadratic correlation with rock cover. A decline in Ring Ouzels between 1988-91 and 1999 was most likely on tetrads with shallow gradients, and outside of a 350-750 m altitudinal range. The change in ouzel numbers was also negatively correlated with both the initial area of conifer forest and heather/smooth grass mosaic. The rate of loss was greatest in those areas with a low Ring Ouzel abundance in 1988-91, although this effect was non-significant once habitat was accounted for.
Conclusions The abundance of Ring Ouzels was linked to heather-grass mosaics, while declines were greater in tetrads lacking topographical features known to be selected by nesting ouzels. The negative relationship between forestry and population change suggests that large-scale afforestation of the uplands is a cause of concern. |
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ISSN: | 0006-3657 1944-6705 |
DOI: | 10.1080/00063650309461300 |