Extensive dune grasslands largely lacking human disturbance are an important refuge for a vole-dependent raptor
Agricultural intensification and abandonment have led to a dramatic decrease of semi-natural grasslands such as low-intensity pastures and hay meadows.The Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a ground-nesting raptor of open grasslands that has severely suffered from these changes.We studied the habitat preferences of this umbrella species of open gra