EU protected area network did not prevent a country wide population decline in a threatened grassland bird.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few studies have assessed the effectiveness of the Protected Area networks on the conservation status of target species. Here, we assess the effectiveness of the Portuguese Natura 2000 (the European Union network of protected areas) in maintaining a species included in the Annex I of the Bird Directive, namely the population of a priority farmland bird, the little bustard Tetrax tetrax.

Methods

We measured the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 by comparing population trends across time (2003-2006 and 2016) in 51 areas, 21 of which within 12 Special Protection Areas (SPA) that were mostly designated for farmland bird conservation and another 30 areas without EU protection.

Results

Overall, the national population is estimated to have declined 49% over

SUBMITTER: Silva JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5786059 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature