Factors affecting reproduction of Woodpigeons Columba palumbus in North African forests: 1. Nest habitat selection |
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| Authors: | Saad Hanane Aurelien Besnard Abderrahman Aafi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification, Centre de Recherche Forestière , Avenue Omar Ibn El Khattab, BP 763 , Rabat-Agdal 10050, Morocco sd_hne@yahoo.fr;3. E.P.H.E., Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive , U.M.R. 5175 , 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France;4. Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification, Centre de Recherche Forestière , Avenue Omar Ibn El Khattab, BP 763 , Rabat-Agdal 10050, Morocco |
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| Abstract: | Capsule Woodpigeon Columba palumbus nest-tree selection is affected by human disturbance, grazing and tree characteristics. Aims To determine the characteristics of trees used for nesting by Woodpigeons under two levels of grazing and disturbance in a Holm oak Middle Atlas forest, Morocco. Methods Woodpigeon nest-tree selection was investigated in highly disturbed and less-disturbed sites over two years (2010 and 2011). The features of nest-tree characteristics were determined by comparing the characteristics of trees used for nesting to those of randomly selected trees. Results Tree physical characteristics, grazing intensity and level of human disturbance were the main factors determining selection for nest-trees. Woodpigeons chose nesting trees that were greater in height, larger in DBH, lower in base of the live crown, in denser stands and at greater distance from tracks. Conclusions Forest management for Woodpigeon nest habitat selection should focus on controlling the access of vehicles especially trucks, introducing a rotating system of forest utilization for grazing and maintaining (without extending) the cereal crops. These recommendations may assist land managers to plan for continued persistence of this species in Middle Atlas forests. |
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