Restoring Mediterranean heathlands for declining birds: Initial responses to mosaic cutting and prescribed burning in the Natura 2000 LIFE program

Abstract Globally, loss and degradation of open habitats is causing biodiversity loss. Conserving important open habitats and the animal species that rely on them will require management interventions to reduce tree encroachment and to maintain open vegetation. Effectiveness of interventions will depend on knowledge of how species respond to the spatial and temporal configuration of treatments. Here, we assess short‐term (5 years) responses of open habitat birds of conservation concern to mosaics of cutting and prescribed burning in a Mediterranean heathland Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). In the Pratomagno SAC (central Italy), vegetation structural characteristics and open habitat birds were surveyed from pre‐treatment (only vegetation) to up to 4 years post‐treatment. Birds were monitored each spring along fixed transects (7 reference, 19 treatment). First, we compared post‐treatment trajectories of vegetation structure among treatment types. Then, we built non‐linear mixed‐effects models to assess changes in the abundance of singing individuals of open habitat birds (1) over time in treatment and reference areas; and (2) in response to the extent of treated vegetation within three age categories (1 year since treatment). Within 4 years of treatment, shrubby vegetation was regenerating on a trajectory towards that of untreated vegetation and reduced tree height was reduced. Abundance of the Dartford warbler (Natura 2000 target species) and cirl bunting declined significantly over time in control but not reference areas. Total abundance and that of the Dartford warbler, Moltoni's warbler and common stonechat declined significantly in response to the extent of vegetation 1 year and