Elevation and landscape change drive the distribution of a montane, endemic grassland bird.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Tropical montane habitats support high biodiversity and are hotspots of endemism, with grasslands being integral components of many such landscapes. The montane grasslands of the Western Ghats have seen extensive land-use change over anthropogenic timescales. The factors influencing the ability of grassland-dependent species to persist in habitats experiencing loss and fragmentation, particularly in montane grasslands, are poorly known.

Objectives

We studied the relationship between the Nilgiri pipit Anthus nilghiriensis, a threatened endemic bird that typifies these montane grasslands, and its habitat, across most of its global distribution. We examined what habitat features make remnant grasslands viable, which is necessary for their effective management.

SUBMITTER: Lele A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7391316 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature