The effects of grazing on ground nesting bird populations on alkaline grasslands in the Hortobagy region

Abstract

We investigated the effects of grazing on ground-nesting bird because of the lack of former studies in our region. Alkaline grasslands provide optimal habitats for several bird species, thus it seemed to be important to determine appropriate management methods in order to help to maintain present breeding densities. We conducted our investigation in two differently grazed areas both laying close to the River Hortobágy, in the middle/eastern part of the National Park. One area (Angyalháza-puszta) is heavily, while the other one (Pentezug) is moderately grazed. In both area we had a 2x2 km sample quadrate, where we counted the singing or territorial males of every bird species in two years (2001 and 2003). During the analyses we compared the densities of different species between the two area and the differences between the two years. We have also prepared habitat maps for both areas, and analysed the habitat preference of all bird species. After analysing these data, our results showed no significant differences in the density of most breeding species, but showed significant differences between the years in the case of several species connected to wetlands, assumably because of the differences in annual precipitation.

Keywords

• birds
• grazing
• impact
• management
• Hortobágy National Park
• Hungary