Open Access

Lady Johanna Esguerra Montaña

• The ongoing population reduction of northern lapwings across Europe has raised serious conservation concerns. One of the primary drivers of this trend is the continuous transformation of their habitats. Land-use changes, particularly the expansion of agricultural fields and intensively managed pastures, have altered the species’ breeding environments, significantly affecting reproductive success. Eggs and chicks are especially vulnerable, facing increased risks due to habitat modifications. To investigate how landscape structure influences habitat selection, this study, conducted in collaboration with Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, analyzed tracking data from 13 northern lapwings alongside land use and land cover and elevation data. A spatial complexity assessment was performed using landscape metrics, which were then integrated into step-selection function (SSF) models to quantify habitat preferences. Findings from the SSF models indicate that, under the tested scenarios, habitats characterized by homogeneous resource diversity and spatial configuration increase the relative probability of habitat selection. These results provide key insights into how northern lapwings interact with their environment, offering a foundation for designing more effective conservation strategies tailored to their ecological needs.