Early-succession secondary forests following agropastoral abandonment are key winter habitats for the conservation of a priority bird in the European Alps

Abstract In contrast to old-growth forests, early-successional stands remain understudied despite potentially harbouring species of conservation interest. With this work, focused on hazel grouse Tetrastes bonasia , a cryptic and indicator known select for close-to-natural we evaluated winter densities, home range, microhabitat selection diet, combining DNA-based mark-recapture metabarcoding from faecal samples. total, 216 droppings, collected over 2 years along forest transects in the Italian Alps, were successfully genotyped 43 individuals identified. Density estimates similar values reported by other studies Alps with an average 4.5 2.4 individuals/km first second study year, respectively, mean ranges estimated at 0.95 km . According habitat models eDNA-based diet analysis, selected early-succession secondary-growth forests formed after abandonment traditional agropastoral activities. These mostly composed Corylus avellana, Norway spruce Picea abies Sorbus spp., provided food resources shelter. The analysis also highlighted arthropods as non-negligible source food. Birds avoided areas subject intensive browsing ungulates; small roads seasonally closed traffic had positive influence (i.e. higher abundance droppings), while open no effect. Importantly, high coverage mature habitats Community Interest (53% our area), droppings more abundant non-listed secondary plant composition. Our results suggest that succession may be beneficial some birds interest, acknowledging its negative effects previous grassland biodiversity. Graphical abstract