PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is a small species of lark. The Spanish metapopulation is the only one in Europe. Biometry, genetics and behaviour suggest that North African populations are a different subspecies, though this still needs confirmation. The Spanish metapopulation is composed of around 3 800 males, though the male-biased sex ratio dramatically reduces the effective population size. The distribution range in Spain is approximately 1 315 km2, though fragmented and spread over 23 populations and 100 subpopulations. Subpopulations in marginal areas are at an extremely high risk of extinction. Isolation is the main driver of risk, since natural steppes are dispersed, fragmented and immersed in an inhospitable matrix. Recent data showed relatively independent subpopulations presenting their own extinction probabilities, though dispersive movements connecting them and some gene flow occurred between subpopulations. There is evidence of recolonisation events of previously extinct nuclei. Recent work highlighted the role of extensive grazing by sheep in the maintenance of the Spanish population, through effects on vegetation structure and droppings that feed beetles, which are part of the Dupont’s lark diet. This relationship between larks and sheep makes the bird extremely vulnerable to extensive grazing abandonment and land use change. In summary, the small size of the Spanish population, the irregular and highly fragmented distribution, with numerous populations being highly isolated, and its dependence on extensive grazing, indicate that Dupont’s lark is one of the most threatened birds in Europe. The intensity of the extinction drivers is not likely to reduce in the coming years. Dupont’s lark is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive and in the list of priority birds. In Spain it is listed as “Vulnerable”, and a request for relisting to “Endangered” is underway.
The Basic Scientific Guidelines for the National Conservation Strategy established priorities and lines of actions for its conservation. In the Guidelines, maintenance and improvement of the connectivity of the Iberian metapopulation is a priority to be achieved through: i) increase of high-quality habitat in key areas (structural connectivity), and ii) population reinforcement/rescue of nuclei in high risk of extinction and/or critical for the metapopulation connection (assisted connectivity).
OBJECTIVES
The general goal of LIFE CONNECT RICOTI is to improve the conservation status of the Iberian metapopulation of Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) by increasing its structural and functional connectivity, through actions involving several key subpopulations. This will be addressed through two main lines of action: i) increasing high-quality habitat for the species (structural connectivity) in three Spanish regions; and ii) reinforcing high extinction risk subpopulations with wild birds from donor localities. Increasing high-quality habitat will allow an expansion of fragmented habitat of high conservation interest, which is home to Dupont’s lark and other relevant bird species. Connecting source and destination localities will delay local extinction in marginal subpopulations, while not affecting persistence of donor subpopulations and the whole metapopulation. Dupont’s lark is a species paradigm of population decline. The Iberian population still comprises a few thousand individuals, but presents a trend that is clearly negative, so this is the appropriate moment to act before the metapopulation collapses.
Specific objectives are:
- Improvement of the structural connectivity through the increase of high-quality habitat, by means of direct habitat restoration measures, maintenance and promotion of extensive grazing in areas critical for connection in Cataluña, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León;
- Evaluation of the translocation of wild birds as a key factor for reinforcing/rescuing (assisted connectivity) areas where the species is already extinct, nearly extinct, with extremely negative population trends, and/or which are critical for connectivity in Castilla-La Mancha. Individuals will be provided from source subpopulations in good conservation status in Castilla-La Mancha;
- Reduction of the genetic losses already found in marginal peripheral subpopulations of Dupont’s lark in Castilla-La Mancha;
- Implementation of measures for Dupont’s lark conservation (habitat management and translocation), which are included in the Scientific Guidelines for the National Spanish Conservation Strategy of the species;
- Drafting and approval of the Regional Conservation Plan of the species in Castilla-La Mancha;
- Improvement of awareness and social valorisation of the species in local stakeholders, who currently do not value the species;
- Provide demonstrative value of the effect of extensive grazing management for habitat conservation in natural steppe areas.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Improvement of structural connectivity of Iberian metapopulation through restoration of about 603 ha of habitat currently unsuitable or of low quality for the Dupont's lark, but located in critical areas for metapopulation connectivity, within and between Natura 2000 network. This is equivalent to 67-151 potential territories. Considering an occupancy rate of 50% in these territories, this could mean a population increase of 33-75 territories. This will be implemented along 9 key areas for the Iberian metapopulation connectivity, within Natura 2000 network, in three different regions (Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Catalonia). However, due to the small size of the Catalonian population, realistic expected results would be around 22-50 new territories;
- Improvement of structural connectivity of Iberian metapopulation by promoting and improving sheep grazing to maintain high-quality habitat in about 747 ha (in addition to 600 ha above), located in critical areas for connectivity, within and between Natura 2000 network sites. These 747 ha are equivalent to another 83-187 potential territories, and a potential population increase of 41-94 reproductive pairs. This will be implemented along 9 key areas for the Iberian metapopulation connectivity, within Natura 2000 network, in three different regions (Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Catalonia). As before, realistic expected results would be around 27-62 new territories;
- Improvement of functional (assisted) connectivity by reinforcement of populations by translocation of wild birds from donor to destination areas. Around 72 birds (3 males + 3 females at 3 destination sites for 4 years) will be translocated. This will allow the rescue or reinforce of at least three key areas in Castilla-La Mancha, and the improvement in connectivity of core and marginal areas, within and between Natura 2000 network sites;
- Definition of management criteria for the conservation of the species and its habitat. These measures are expected to be included in the Regional Conservation Plan for the species, to be legally approved in Castilla-La Mancha, and the Recovery Plan, in Catalonia. Castilla y León expects to draft a corresponding Plan, though legal approval is not included in this project due to time-schedule issues. Such measures include promotion of extensive livestock and techniques for steppe habitat restoration;
- Enhancement and improvement of the social perception of the presence of Dupont's lark in its core areas in three Autonomous Communities, which comprise 53.2% of the European population of Dupont’s lark.
