| Abstract | Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial to un-
derstand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection. Here, we used a multi-scale approach to study the
year-round habitat selection of the Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in a semi-natural lowland woodland of
northern Italy, analysing different habitat features at each scale. We performed Crested Tit censuses at three
different spatial scales. At the macrohabitat scale, we used geolocalized observations of individuals to compute
Manly's habitat selection index, based on a detailed land-use map of the study area. At the microhabitat scale, the
trees features were compared between presence and absence locations. At the foraging habitat scale, individual
foraging birds and their specific position on trees were recorded using focal animal sampling. Censuses were
performed during both the breeding (March to May) and wintering (December to January) seasons. At the
macrohabitat scale, the Crested Tits significantly selected pure and mixed pine forests and avoided woods of alien
plant species, farmlands and urban areas. At the microhabitat scale, old pine woods with dense cover were
selected, with no significant difference in the features of tree selection between the two phenological phases. At
the foraging habitat scale, the species was observed spending more time foraging in the canopies than in the
understorey, using mostly the portion of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) canopies closer to the trunk in winter, while
during the breeding period, the whole canopy was visited. Overall, breeding and wintering habitats largely
overlapped in the Crested Tit. Based on our findings, lowland Crested Tits can be well defined as true habitat
specialists: they are strictly related to some specific coniferous woodland features. Noteworthily, compared to
other tit species, which normally show generalist habits during winter, the Crested Tit behaves as a habitat
specialist also out of the breeding season. Our study stressed the importance of considering multi-scale (both
spatial and phenological) habitat selection in birds. |
| Authors | Alessandro Berlusconi, Alessio Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters, Giulia Tesoro, Stefania Martini, Erminio Clerici, Gualtiero Guenzani, Gabriele Pozzi, Diego Rubolini, Michelangelo Morganti, Adriano Martinoli |
| Text | 470745 2022 10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100058 Crested Tit Functional Response Habitat Selection Multi scale approach Scots pine Year round multi scale habitat selection by Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus in lowland mixed forests northern Italy Alessandro Berlusconi, Alessio Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters, Giulia Tesoro, Stefania Martini, Erminio Clerici, Gualtiero Guenzani, Gabriele Pozzi, Diego Rubolini, Michelangelo Morganti, Adriano Martinoli a Environment Analysis and Management Unit Guido Tosi Research Group Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy b CNR IRSA National Research Council Water Research Institute, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio, MB, Italy c Gruppo Insubrico di Ornitologia, c/o Civico Museo Insubrico di Storia Naturale di Clivio e Induno Olona, Via Manzoni, 21050, Clivio, VA, Italy d Parco Pineta di Appiano Gentile e Tradate, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 11, 22070, Castelnuovo Bozzente, CO, Italy e Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Universita degli Studi di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy f Conservation Department LIPU Birdlife Italia, Via Udine 3/a, 43122, Parma, Italy g Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20122, Milan,Italy Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial to un derstand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection. Here, we used a multi scale approach to study the year round habitat selection of the Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus in a semi natural lowland woodland of northern Italy, analysing different habitat features at each scale. We performed Crested Tit censuses at three different spatial scales. At the macrohabitat scale, we used geolocalized observations of individuals to compute Manly s habitat selection index, based on a detailed land use map of the study area. At the microhabitat scale, the trees features were compared between presence and absence locations. At the foraging habitat scale, individual foraging birds and their specific position on trees were recorded using focal animal sampling. Censuses were performed during both the breeding March to May and wintering December to January seasons. At the macrohabitat scale, the Crested Tits significantly selected pure and mixed pine forests and avoided woods of alien plant species, farmlands and urban areas. At the microhabitat scale, old pine woods with dense cover were selected, with no significant difference in the features of tree selection between the two phenological phases. At the foraging habitat scale, the species was observed spending more time foraging in the canopies than in the understorey, using mostly the portion of Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris canopies closer to the trunk in winter, while during the breeding period, the whole canopy was visited. Overall, breeding and wintering habitats largely overlapped in the Crested Tit. Based on our findings, lowland Crested Tits can be well defined as true habitat specialists they are strictly related to some specific coniferous woodland features. Noteworthily, compared to other tit species, which normally show generalist habits during winter, the Crested Tit behaves as a habitat specialist also out of the breeding season. Our study stressed the importance of considering multi scale both spatial and phenological habitat selection in birds. 13 Published version Year round multi scale habitat selection by Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus in lowland mixed forests northern Italy pdf del paper 28_Berlusconi et al 2022 AvRes Year Round habitat selection Crested tit.pdf Articolo in rivista Indian Poultry Club. 0970 1273 Avian Research Avian Research Avian Res. BERLUSCONI ALESSANDRO RUBOLINI DIEGO michelangelo.morganti MORGANTI MICHELANGELO |
