SP 4 - Plant-bird interactions
SP4 will examine the effects of sustainable land use on the diversity of breeding and staging birds in coastal areas. Changes in land use of agricultural fields and the availability of fresh water might increase avian vulnerability to disturbance or environmental stochasticity. In cooperation with SP3, we will be able to relate habitat parameters such as food availability and vegetation structure to the number and diversity of breeding birds, and study interactions between wintering waterfowl and the vegetation. In addition, we will investigate conflicting nature conservation targets due to different habitat requirements of different avian guilds.
