The value of remotely sensed vs. field-surveyed habitat structure for predicting bird abundance: a case study in traditional orchards

Abstract Understanding environmental effects on the distribution and abundance of species is central to ecology, biogeography evolutionary biology. This led development models (SDMs) that relate spatial variation in occurrence variables. So far, SDMs rarely considered habitat structure, as a major determinant bird distributions. While remote sensing increasingly provides high-resolution measures certain structural variables affecting still need be measured with field surveys. In this study, we compare value remotely sensed vs. field-surveyed structure for predicting abundance. Specifically, analysed data nine traditional orchards South-Western Germany. ‘Remote SDMs’ related obtained by aerial photogrammetry individual orchard trees. Alternative ‘field survey detailed surveys composition pruning state Additionally, both included climate land use Accounting improved predictions seven study compared only incorporating use. The impact model performance differed between variables: former most ( n = 7) species, whereas latter had more variable impact, decreasing five species. strongest was overall tree density, which positively affected contrast, multiple similar effect strength, found pear showed unimodal response. These analyses have conservation implications since they predict expected responses ongoing changes structure. Moreover, identify will promising measure via future.