Study

The effects of grassland management using fire on habitat occupancy and conservation of birds at a mosaic landscape

  • Published source details Pons P., Lambert B., Rigolot E. & Prodon R. (2003) The effects of grassland management using fire on habitat occupancy and conservation of birds at a mosaic landscape. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12, 1843-1860.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Employ grazing in natural grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use prescribed burning on grasslands

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Employ grazing in natural grasslands

    A site comparison study in the Pyrénées-Orientales, France, in 1998-1999 (Pons et al. 2003), found that four bird species with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe preferentially used burned hillsides, compared with unmanaged or grazed areas. This study is discussed in detail in ‘Use prescribed burning’.

     

  2. Use prescribed burning on grasslands

    A replicated study in June 1998-1999 in grassland and shrubland on a subalpine hillside in the Pyrénées-Orientales, France (Pons et al. 2003) found that four bird species with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe (rock bunting Emberiza cia, woodlark Lullula arborea, stonechat Saxicola torquata and red-backed shrike Lanius collurio) were found at highest abundances on recently burned grassland with scattered shrubs. A wildfire burned about one half of the hillside in 1980. From 1990 onwards, grassland management comprised prescribed winter burns (on a one-to-seven year rotation) and summer cattle grazing.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust