The effects of resprouting natural forest on reproductive traits of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in a stone pine afforestation

作者：Maicas R^*; Bonillo J C; Fernandez Haeger J

来源：Forest Ecology and Management, 2014, 326: 117-124.

DOI：10.1016/j.foreco.2014.04.018

• Habitat quality
• Reproductive performance
• Neighbour density
• Nest box type
• Spatial distribution
• Pine forests

The reproductive performance achieved by blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in a low-quality habitat with a regular grid of nest boxes during a 6-year period (2007-2012) was tested. The variables used as sources of variation for analysis were the habitat quality (resprouted holm oak abundance) in the territories, the spatial distribution of territories (peripheral or interior nest boxes), the entrance-hole size of available nest boxes, the social context around the nesting territories (breeding neighbour density: conspecific or Great tits Parus major) and temporal pattern of reproduction (laying date). For whole breeding population, the proportion of successful nests and the breeding success were dependent on the location of territories and entrance-hole of nest boxes. The prediction concerning the relationship between habitat quality and reproductive performance is supported only for clutch size. This trait, but not the hatching and breeding success, clearly depended on resprouted holm oak abundance in the territories, increasing with the abundance of trees. Blue tits exhibited a clustered territoriality and the conspecific and Great tit P. major densities around blue tit territories were mutually influenced in a negative way. The breeding success variation in successful nests is positively associated to the conspecific density: individuals with more conspecific neighbours achieved best breeding success. For all nests pooled (successful and unsuccessful), reproductive performance was not dependent on the great tit density. Reproductive failure was higher in the large-holed nest boxes than in the small-holed ones. The clutch size also showed a significant gradient as a function of the egg-laying date: females laying eggs earlier in the season had larger clutch sizes than those who did later. From these results, we draw some implications for the management strategies of hole-nesting passerines using nest boxes in large areas of stone pines plantations.

• 出版日期2014-8-15