Burnt forest clear-cuts, a breeding habitat for ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana in northern Sweden?

TL;DRAbstract

The Ortolan Bunting population has decreased in Sweden by about 80 % since 1975. Nowadays, the largest part of the Ortolan Bunting population occurs on the northern coast
\nwhere the majority breeds on clear-cuts. The aim of the study was to describe the Ortolan Bunting breeding habitat characteristics in northern Sweden to provide a basis for
\nmanagement plan. In Phase 1, I investigated if Ortolan Buntings were more present on prescribed burnt clear-cuts than on non-burnt clear-cuts with a presence/absence survey.
\nUnfortunately the occupancy rate in the study area appeared to be very low. As a second step, I extended the study on habitat characteristics within a study area closer to the coast (Phase 2). There was a positive relationship between clear-cut size and Ortolan Bunting presence, but when accounting for random spatial distribution, presences on small clearcuts were as common or even higher as on large ones. Proximity to farmland had no significant effect on pre

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