Impact of habitat management of small game species on bird communities in French Mediterranean scrublands

Abstract

In the French Mediterranean region, the progressive abandonment of traditional activities has led to the expansion of scrubland and landscape encroachment, thereby driving biodiversity loss. Hunters participate in habitat management mostly by opening scrubland to increase the habitat of small game species. The aim of our study was to evaluate the contribution of such management to the conservation of non-targeted bird species. In three 30-hectare managed (MA) and unmanaged (UMA) areas we monitored birds in spring using the progressive frequency sampling method (EFP). Species richness (a proxy of alpha diversity) and beta diversity indexes were estimated to compare bird communities in MA and UMA neighbouring areas. We also studied the presence of priority species and the response of bird species along a gradient of management. Our results showed that habitat management of small game species was associated with higher bird species richness, including open-habitat specialists. Most of the Mediterranean bird species detected were present in managed areas, with coexistence of bird species from open and closed environments. Hunters' management of scrubland environments can result in areas of high conservation value for non-targeted bird species. This study could support guidelines for opening scrubland in order to preserve bird diversity.