Patterns of abundance reveal evidence of translocation and climate effects on Houbara bustard population recovery

Population reinforcement, through translocations of individuals, aims to restore populations threatened species. The increase in population size or geographic distribution is often used as positive facts when assessing the recovery a species, making abundance monitoring major criterion. Based on 8-year reinforced North African Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata), over an area 50 170 km² eastern region Morocco, we assessed success management actions by spatial and temporal variation well factors driving this variation. We count data estimate spatialize abundance. then environmental (climate) covariates (release effort hunting management) associated with overall study was 16 918 individuals (95% CI = 13 629–21 027) our period, strong between years (range 10 409–32 401). Our results highlighted heterogeneity area, linked local climate conditions. Local abundances were negatively temperature, higher than non-hunting areas, positively influenced number birds released around focal point. In addition describing spatio-temporal species large scale, estimated two proxies its conservation status: trend. determination these comparison counterfactual state confirms beneficial impact restoration protection program dynamics bustard, while underlining dependence ongoing management.