Protecting biological niches

Description

Protecting biological niches involves identifying, preserving, and restoring the unique habitats and ecological conditions that support specific species and communities. This strategy aims to prevent habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation by implementing conservation measures such as protected areas, sustainable land management, and habitat restoration. By maintaining the integrity of these niches, it safeguards biodiversity, supports ecosystem services, and mitigates threats from invasive species, pollution, and climate change, ensuring long-term ecological resilience.

Context

A particular feature of olive groves is the many small niches found in the old trees themselves and in the stone walls which support the traditional terraces. These niches harbour a variety of reptiles and invertebrates, and provide nesting sites for several bird species which thrive in the open 'parkland' habitats of old, widely-spaced olive groves. The olives themselves provide an important food resource for overwintering birds, whilst the ground, undisturbed by man for most of the year, supports orchids, ground-nesting birds, and many butterflies which enjoy these open, sunny habitats. Alongside these species live a variety of predators, such as the scops owl, foxes and stoats, together with other mammal species, including badgers, hedgehogs, porcupines and dormice.