How avifauna changes: forty years of observations on the status of birds in a representative area of Sicily (Roccapalumba, Pa)

Abstract

Over the last 40 years, we have been regularly conducting observations in a typical hinterland area of Sicily around the inhabited centre of Roccapalumba. The heterogeneity of the territory made up of strips of natural woods, reforestation, cultivated areas (especially arable lands and small orchards), pastures, bushy areas, isolated rocks, a river and many small artificial lakes has created suitable habitats for almost all species of hilly environments in Sicily. During the study period, no substantial changes have occurred in the landscape at the level of land‐use macro‐categories, with the exception of new pine afforestation. Major changes have been observed, however, within agro‐ecosystems (with the disappearance of almond groves) and in the management of agro‐ecosystems and marginal areas. Changes in birdlife are due either to changes in the status of a given species at local or global level, or to the above‐mentioned reasons.