Anthropogenic pressures within the breeding range of the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus in Ireland
Loading...
Files
Accepted Version
Date
2020-03-27
Authors
Caravaggi, Anthony
Irwin, Sandra
Lusby, John
Ruddock, Marc
Mee, Allan
Nagle, Tony
O'Toole, Lorcán
O'Neill, Shane
O'Halloran, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Published Version
Abstract
Capsule: Patterns in the frequency and co-occurrence of anthropogenic pressures associated with suitable breeding habitat for Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus demonstrates the need for specific, focussed management and policy options aimed at mitigating impacts on this threatened population. Aims: To describe anthropogenic pressures and threats in the upland breeding range of Hen Harriers and to explore their potential impacts on the declining Hen Harrier population. Methods: We used text mining, mixed-effects models, principal component analysis and clustering methods to explore anthropogenic pressures on suitable breeding and foraging habitats for Hen Harriers in Ireland, based on the 2015 national breeding Hen Harrier survey data. Results: Mixed-effects models described a strong influence of agriculture, forestry, predator activity, and recreational activities on survey areas that contained Hen Harrier territories. Cluster analyses described three discrete pressure clusters and showed consistent co-occurrence of independent pressures. Conclusions: Areas of suitable habitat for Hen Harriers in the uplands overlap with areas that experience anthropogenic pressures known to negatively impact on this vulnerable bird species. Combined with clear evidence for the co-occurrence of multiple pressures at a regional scale, this demonstrates a clear need for statutory agencies to consider the potential cumulative impacts of individual pressures when developing conservation strategies for Hen Harriers.
Description
Keywords
Raptor , Human impacts , Upland conservation , Bird of prey , Land management , Policy
Citation
Caravaggi, A., Irwin, S., Lusby, J., Ruddock, M., Mee, A., Nagle, T., O'Toole, L., O'Neill, S. and O'Halloran, J. (2020) 'Anthropogenic pressures within the breeding range of the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus in Ireland', Bird Study, 66(4), pp. 461-470. doi: 10.1080/00063657.2020.1725420
Link to publisher’s version
Copyright
© 2020, British Trust for Ornithology. All rights reserved. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an item published by Taylor & Francis in Bird Study on 27 March, 2020, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2020.1725420