Methodological, temporal and spatial factors affecting modeled occupancy of resident birds in the perennially cultivated landscape of Uttar Pradesh, India |
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| Authors: | K S Gopi Sundar Swati A Kittur |
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| Institution: | (1) Conservation Biology Program, University of Minnesota, 187 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA;(2) Present address: International Crane Foundation, E11376, Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447, USA |
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| Abstract: | Biodiversity persistence in non-woody tropical farmlands is poorly explored, and multi-species assessments with robust landscape-scale
designs are sparse. Modeled species occupancy in agricultural mosaics is affected by multiple factors including survey methods
(convenience-based versus systematic), landscape-scale agriculture-related variables, and extent of remnant habitat. Changes
in seasonal crops can additionally alter landscape and habitat conditions thereby influencing species occupancy. We investigated
how these factors affect modeled occupancy of 56 resident bird species using a landscape-scale multi-season occupancy framework
across 24 intensively cultivated and human-dominated districts in Uttar Pradesh state, north India. Convenience-based roadside
observations provided considerable differences in occupancy estimates and associations with remnant habitat and intensity
of cultivation relative to systematic transect counts, and appeared to bias results to roadside conditions. Modeled occupancy
of only open-area species improved with increasing intensity of cultivation, while remnant habitat improved modeled occupancy
of scrubland, wetland and woodland species. Strong seasonal differences in occupancy were apparent for most species across
all habitat guilds. Further habitat loss will be most detrimental to resident scrubland, wetland and woodland species. Uttar
Pradesh’s agricultural landscape has a high conservation value, but will require a landscape-level approach to maintain the
observed high species richness. Obtaining ecological information from unexplored landscapes using robust landscape-scale surveys
offers substantial advantages to understand factors affecting species occupancy, and is necessary for efficient conservation
planning. |
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