Dispersed breeders. In the case of widespread and dispersed breeding species, the protection of nationally or internationally important sites is not an effective conservation strategy because it would require the protection of vast areas in order to protect an adequate proportion of the population. Focusing efforts on maintaining high quality landscapes is more effective (e.g. prairie potholes in North America, Boreal forest in Fennoscandia), because the reproduction of the population fundamentally depends on the extent and quality of breeding habitat, as well as the level of predation and weather. Loss or degradation of breeding habitat has led to the decrease of European meadow bird populations, such as Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), to a level that presents a significant limitation to the harvest potential of these species without jeopardizing the effectiveness of conservation efforts elsewhere26. It follows that the restoration of formerly lost habitat can support sustainable waterbird harvesting by ensuring good reproduction and potentially providing a harvestable surplus. Thus, the management of breeding areas for dispersed species requires maintaining, restoring or creating a network of suitable habitat that meets the breeding and feeding requirements of waterbirds and provides safe conditions for them to raise their chicks. Food and habitat requirements of waterbirds vary widely (see species fact sheets on the BirdLife International DataZone27; examples of management guides: Xxxx et al. 1995, Xxxxx 1996, Xxxxx 1996, Xxxxxxx 1997). A general scheme for planning habitat management includes: Recognising opportunities to protect, enhance or create habitat; Identify broad management goals; Identify and consult people and authorities with a stake in the management of the area; Identify and evaluate the site; Identify constrains; Evaluate and present choices for: Modification of current management; Rehabilitation of degraded habitat; Creation of habitat; Develop detailed management objectives and implementation plans; Implement work; Monitor and evaluate expected benefits and side effects, and Adjust management objectives. A successful worked example from Finland is shown in Box 2.
Dispersed breeders. In the case of widespread and dispersed breeding species, the protection of nationally or internationally important sites is not an effective conservation strategy because it would require the protection of vast areas in order to protect an adequate proportion of the population. Focusing efforts on maintaining high quality landscapes is more effective (e.g. prairie potholes in North America, Boreal forest in Fennoscandia), because the reproduction of the population fundamentally depends on the extent and quality of breeding habitat, as well as the level of predation and weather. Loss or degradation of breeding habitat has led to the decrease of European meadow bird populations, such as Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), to a level that presents a significant limitation to the harvest potential of these species without jeopardizing the effectiveness of conservation efforts elsewhere26. It follows that the restoration of formerly lost habitat can support sustainable waterbird harvesting by ensuring good reproduction and potentially providing a harvestable surplus. Thus, the management of breeding areas for dispersed species requires maintaining, restoring or creating a network of suitable habitat that meets the breeding and feeding requirements of waterbirds and provides safe conditions for them to raise their chicks. Food and habitat requirements of waterbirds vary widely (see species fact sheets on the BirdLife International DataZone27; examples of management guides: Xxxx et al. 1995, Xxxxx 1996, Xxxxx 1996, Xxxxxxx 1997).
