Little Bustard and Humans: Conservation and Management

Abstract

Despite conservation efforts made over three decades and the improvements in protection status at different levels (global, European, national and regional), the current situation of the little bustard has not improved. Increased knowledge on the species’ biology, and projects aimed at improving its conservation status, such as the designation of protected areas and LIFE projects, have not produced long-lasting positive results in distribution range or population size. In Europe, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been unable to reverse habitat destruction and degradation. Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) within CAP, aiming to promote farming practices compatible with biodiversity conservation, have been insufficient to reverse little bustard declines. A novel perspective for the new post-2020 CAP is needed in order to reverse continuing habitat loss and degradation. This chapter reviews the level of protection of the species in different countries, with a greater focus on Spain, the stronghold of the species in Europe, and evaluates the effectiveness of measures carried out to improve its worrying conservation status.