Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2020

Total budget:

€90,495.00

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€63,346.50

The barn owl (Tyto alba) and the little owl (Athene noctua), two species of nocturnal birds of prey linked to agricultural environments, are experiencing, according to the entity, an accelerated decline in their populations in the centre of the peninsula due, above all, to agricultural intensification.
Data from the owl census in 2018 shows an estimated population of only 25-34 pairs, which means a decline of close to 70% in the last 20 years. On the other hand, a decade ago the decline of the little owl in Spain was estimated at 40%. Since the main cause of this decline is known, it is vital to optimize the efforts dedicated to the conservation of these species and establish valid criteria, as well as the optimal areas of application of these.
In addition, the entity considers it necessary to adapt the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to new environmental criteria based on studies that establish the limiting factors for declining species.

The main objective is the optimization of conservation efforts in the recovery of the populations of Barn Owl and Little Owl. It has the following specific goals:

• To identify the limiting factors involved in the regression of the populations of these two species through the characterization of habitats used by breeding pairs of both species.
• To know how the occupied habitat influences physiological and reproductive parameters.
• To know the optimal areas for the establishment and survival of both species, optimizing conservation efforts.
• Obtain guidelines for their application in the in situ conservation of these species and in the design of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

• To qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the breeding habitats of both species.
• To carry out a comparative study of physiological and biological parameters, related to stress and body indices, in breeding pairs and their chicks in different habitats.
• To build a predictive model that allows us to know the areas favorable for the conservation of both species, classifying the habitats studied as optimal, suboptimal or unfavorable for each species.
• Transfer information to public and private entities involved in the conservation of these species and in the design of the Community Agricultural Policy (CAP).

• It has been found that the presence of barn owl is favoured by agricultural and crop habitats and by the greater length of the boundaries in these habitats.
• It has been proven that parameters related to the immune system, weight and stress improve their values when the habitat has natural vegetation.
• It has been found that nocturnal birds of prey linked to agricultural environments are experiencing an accelerated regression in their populations in the centre of the peninsula due, above all, to agricultural intensification, which drastically decreases biodiversity.
• The results and conclusions have been transferred to various public bodies.
• Work has been carried out to disseminate activities and results, such as informative talks.