Changes in land cover and bird community composition in a Dutch coastal Dune landscape – a two-decade analysis

Abstract Land cover change (LCC) affects biodiversity at different spatial and temporal scales. Understanding how LCC affects bird populations is relevant for the conservation of avifauna and ecosystems. We examined links between LCC and breeding bird communities in a dune landscape from 1997 to 2022. We predicted that shifts in bird group abundances correspond to changes in area of their preferred habitat. We used remote sensing and bird monitoring data from over two decades to analyze LCC and breeding bird communities within 25 plots, covering 925 ha. Open areas increased, whereas taller vegetation decreased, due to management measures and natural dynamics. Bird abundance declined by 25%. Loss of shrubs and forests were associated with the decline of birds preferring these habitats. Abundance of birds preferring low vegetation was not related to increasing habitat areas. Overall, species diversity and composition remained relatively stable. We conclude that species associated with taller vegetation were affected by habitat loss, whereas species that prefer open vegetation did not benefit from increasing habitat area, possibly due to ecological time lags, specific habitat requirements, inherently low numbers of these species, and predation. It remains essential to monitor effects of dune management on birds and other taxa. Research should focus on combined effects of local habitat and large-scale processes on resident and migrant species.