The European Turtle Dove in the ecotone between woodland and farmland: multi-scale habitat associations and implications for the design of management interventions

Abstract The European Turtle Dove (turtle dove) is globally threatened after undergoing a sustained and generalised decline across its breeding range, with habitat loss suggested as the main driver. Here, we reviewed scientific literature on associations in relation to distribution, numbers, nesting substrates, food foraging habitats, identify optimal management measures. Large-scale distribution seemed related availability, but not dominance, of woodland landscapes; abundance was generally higher than farmland. However, increased additional structural diversity proximity farmland, farmland greater availability non-farmland features. Nesting occurred most frequently trees (secondarily bushes) found geographical differences type substrate, thorny bushes being used more north, open canopy south. doves fed wide spectrum seeds predominance wild, particularly early-flowering, plants; could single plant species whose determined turtle dove numbers. Across shift from wild cultivated season progressed. interventions should favour access seeds. Efficient depend dominant habitat; overall, seek augment landscape heterogeneity by increasing mixing woodland. Combined forestry agricultural policies must provide right conditions for ecotone like dove.