Breeding habitat selection of the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius L. in Mediterranean forests

Southern Italy's Black Woodpecker populations are highly dependent on beech-dominated forests, unlike their northern counterparts. A study in the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park—Italy's first investigation of this species—revealed that 18.56 (± 6.19) breeding pairs were concentrated in beech-dominated woods, contrasting with other sympatric woodpecker species. Using playback surveys to detect occurrences and analyzing environmental factors like tree species and stand age, researchers found that the Black Woodpecker's habitat preferences in Mediterranean forests are narrower than those in northern Europe. This dependency on beech forests, which are threatened by climate change, underscores the vulnerability of southern populations. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these critical habitats.

De Rosa, D., Andriuzzi, W. S., & Di Febbraro, M. (2016). Breeding habitat selection of the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius L. in Mediterranean forests. Avocetta, 40(2). https://doi.org/10.30456/avo.2016202