The importance of habitat mosaic for the preservation of declining bird species in the Vikos-Aoos National Park

Three mountain plains near Vikos-Aoos National Park, where a mosaic of traditional pasturelands and agricultural areas still coexist, have been studied for those special habitat characteristics that are selected by breeding bird species known to have declined rapidly in Europe during the last two decades. Data collection during the breeding season concerned special macro-habitat features, such as habitat structure and present day land use, that has been measured in 50 meters radius plots. It has been found that in 192 plots of the 7 most frequent such bird species, open pasturelands with scattered trees or bushes was the most preferable habitat, as also those areas with several types of hedges. In addition, agricultural areas were not used, if were not in adjustment with pastureland. The results saw the importance of traditional extensive livestock rearing for the maintenance of such special habitat structure as also the importance of the mosaic diversity within agricultural areas. Intensification, abandonment or urbanization of these mountain plains due to recent tourist developments is likely to affect negatively in the near future those birds of special conservation importance, which live in the Mediterranean cultural landscapes.