<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The paper presents the results of a 5-year study on the population size of the white stork (<italic>Ciconia ciconi</italic>a L.) as one of the indicator species used to assess a biodiversity level in agricultural areas. The study was carried out in Masurian Landscape Park situated in Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The results demonstrated that the white stork population size was closely linked to agricultural areas, in particular, the extensively managed permanent grassland. In the years 2014–2018, even if minor changes were observed in the land use structure, the white stork population size showed a slight upward trend within the study area. In order to maintain this status, efforts should be made to preserve open landscapes (first and foremost – meadows and pastures), which are preferred feeding grounds of white stork. Consequently, potential decision as regards afforestation and housing should be made considerately.</p></abstract>

The paper presents the results of a 5-year study on the population size of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) as one of the indicator species used to assess a biodiversity level in agricultural areas. The study was carried out in Masurian Landscape Park situated in Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The results demonstrated that the white stork population size was closely linked to agricultural areas, in particular, the extensively managed permanent grassland. In the years 2014–2018, even if minor changes were observed in the land use structure, the white stork population size showed a slight upward trend within the study area. In order to maintain this status, efforts should be made to preserve open landscapes (first and foremost – meadows and pastures), which are preferred feeding grounds of white stork. Consequently, potential decision as regards afforestation and housing should be made considerately.

White stork (<italic>Ciconia ciconia</italic> L.) as an indicator of natural environment status in agricultural areas, illustrated with an example of Masurian Landscape Park

Environmental Protection and Natural Resources

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

White stork ( L.) as an indicator of natural environment status in agricultural areas, illustrated with an example of Masurian Landscape Park

The paper presents the results of a 5-year study on the population size of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) as one of the indicator species used to assess...

White stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) as an indicator of natural environment status in agricultural areas, illustrated with an example of Masurian Landscape Park

Published Online: Mar 29, 2019

Page range: 1 - 6

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oszn-2019-0001

Keywords
Biodiversity of agricultural areas, white stork, permanent grassland, Masurian Landscape Park

© 2019 Wojciech Gotkiewicz, Krzysztof Wittbrodt, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

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White stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) as an indicator of natural environment status in agricultural areas, illustrated with an example of Masurian Landscape Park

Published Online: Mar 29, 2019

Page range: 1 - 6

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oszn-2019-0001

KeywordsBiodiversity of agricultural areas, white stork, permanent grassland, Masurian Landscape Park

© 2019 Wojciech Gotkiewicz, Krzysztof Wittbrodt, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Keywords
Biodiversity of agricultural areas, white stork, permanent grassland, Masurian Landscape Park