Woodlarks Lullula arborea and landscape heterogeneity created by land abandonment

Capsule Fine-grained landscape heterogeneity may be a major factor in the recent expansion of Woodlark populations. Aim To determine the factors which may have led to the increase in Woodlark populations in the Mediterranean region. Methods Woodlark habitat selection was determined using territory mapping in an area that had undergone widespread land abandonment during the past 50 years. Remote sensing data were used to study landscape changes within the study area between 1978 and 2003. Results Most Woodlark territories included a combination of farmland and shrubland patches. These fulfilled the birds' requirements for territorial display and for foraging. Land abandonment has increased the availability of open shrubland, the dominant land-cover type selected by Woodlarks. Conclusions Increased fine-grained landscape heterogeneity following farm abandonment has created opportunities for habitat use by Woodlarks and may be a major factor in the Woodlark population expansion observed between 1978 and 2003.