Can quarries provide novel conditions for a bird of rocky habitats?

Abstract

Highly degraded habitats such as quarries often require active restoration efforts, but classical reclamation practices may undermine the occurrence of species that are locally rare or of conservation concern. We argue that some species can benefit from quarry landform whenever the presence of certain elements in the surroundings is preserved. We uncover the role of quarry landforms as providers of artificial habitat for the establishment of a bird of rocky habitats—the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros). We identified and monitored the location of territories of this species in seven quarries and their surroundings, over an entire breeding season. A multiscale approach was applied in order to take into account optimal spatial scales of response of the species to each habitat descriptor. We found this species mainly associated with quarried areas embedded within an inhospitable landscape. Mean slope, built-up area, and number of habitats were important descriptors for Black Redstart territory location. Black Redstart territories are constrained at two scales. Core areas (0.25 ha) are mainly defined by optimal conditions for nest site location, where inaccessible rocky slopes provide safer places for nesting. At a larger scale (>2.00 ha) territories must enclose other land uses that deliver access to food supplies and offer good display positions to signal the limits of territories, allowing control of possible intruders. Localized actions aiming to maintain novel elements may result in the preservation of species such as the Black Redstart.