To breed or not to breed: Territory occupancy is predicted by reproductive performance and habitat heterogeneity.

ABSTRACT: Species life history and anthropogenic influence are important drivers of population performance and viability in human-dominated ecosystems. How these factors affect habitat selection and occupancy in long-lived species is an important topic for their conservation. Long-term datasets are needed for establishing the underlying drivers of this process. In this 22 year-long study, we conducted annual surveys of Bonelli's eagle in the east of the Iberian Peninsula. During this period, 42.8% of the known territories remained unoccupied. Territories with a higher likelihood of raising two chicks over time were stable, evidenced by a lower coefficient of variation in productivity, and were more likely to remain occupied. Moreover, territories with lower habitat diversity, dominated by coniferous

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Peinado A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11610647 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature