Effects of Land Use and Wildfires on the Habitat Selection of Great Bustard (Otis tardal.)—Implications for Species Conservation

A patch-burning management system could significantly enhance optimal habitat availability for great bustards (Otis tarda) by increasing the area burnt annually while maintaining a spatially mosaic structure. This finding stems from a 31-year study in Hortobágy National Park, East-Hungary, where researchers analyzed the effects of land use and wildfires on the spatial distribution of bustard lekking sites. The study, one of the largest datasets on this species, observed 10,118 individuals at 639 points, revealing that increased habitat diversity positively influenced female numbers while the area burnt in previous years was a critical predictor for total bird and male counts. The research suggests that strategic burning practices could serve as an effective conservation tool to support bustard populations.

Végvári, Z., Valkó, O., Deák, B., Török, P., Konyhás, S., & Tóthmérész, B. (2016). Effects of Land Use and Wildfires on the Habitat Selection of Great Bustard (Otis tardal.)—Implications for Species Conservation. Land Degradation & Development, 27(4), 910–918. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2495