Habitat-based distribution modelling of agricultural steppe birds in South Portugal - a multi-scale approach. Bird numbers 2004: monitoring in a changing Europe.

Leitao, P.J., Osborne, P.E. and Moreira, F. (2004) Habitat-based distribution modelling of agricultural steppe birds in South Portugal - a multi-scale approach. Bird numbers 2004: monitoring in a changing Europe. 16th International Conference of the European Bird Census Council, Kayseri, Turkey. 05 - 10 Sep 2004.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Other)

Abstract

The aim of this poster is to present an ongoing PhD project on Steppe-birds in the Baixo Alentejo (South Portugal), as well as some preliminary results. This area, being dominated by cereal steppe landscapes, holds significant numbers of several threatened bird species. The study focuses on the selection of habitat by the Great Bustard (Otis tarda), the Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) and the Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) at various scales(namely regional, landscape and patch scale). This is done by making use of modern statistical approaches (GLM’s and GAM’s) embedded within a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment, combining field data with satellite imagery and map data. Expected results include potential (habitat-based) distribution models of these species in the study area, and a series of scale-dependent management recommendations for the conservation of the species and their habitats. Some preliminary results regarding the regional scale study are presented.

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