Pond characteristics
Each pond was characterized to study the habitat
features preferred by Little Grebes (Table 1). We
defined the vegetation in the pond as present (1) or
absent (0), and estimated four variables: extent of
vegetation on the shore, submerged vegetation, unicellular
algae and reeds. We described two types of
pond most simply according to their construction
design: low-density polyethylene (LDP) ponds
were lined by a layer of gravel to protect the plastic
from solar radiation - this type of lining also led to
the pond having a more natural appearance; highdensity
polyethylene (HDP) ponds did not have
any gravel. In general, LDP ponds had more gradual
slopes, were larger and were more vegetated than
HDP ponds (Sánchez-Zapata et al. 2005). We used
digitized aerial photographs (Vuelo Oleícola 1998,
available at www.mapya.es) and a geographical
information system (GRASS 5.0) to estimate the size
of each pond.
The risk of predation could be a factor influencing
pond selection by Little Grebes. However, the ponds
are fenced and therefore predation by mammals
can be considered low. In addition, Grebes have
never been found in dietary studies of their possible
predators within our study area (raptors and foxes;
J.A. Sánchez-Zapata). We thus do not include any
measure of predation risk in our analyses.
Statistical analyses
To assess whether territories were occupied at
random and independent of previous history
Table 1. Averaged characteristics of irrigation ponds in
southeast Spain censused from 2002 to 2006 inclusive
(n = 57) for Little Grebes, as well as the characteristics of a
subset of these ponds used to estimate reproductive
performance and sequential settlement (n = 36).
Characteristic 5-year census
Reproduction and
settlement
% LDP ponds 43 64
Area (ha) 0.65 0.63
Algae 0.86 ± 0.03 0.46 ± 0.06
Submerged vegetation 0.19 ± 0.03 0.71 ± 0.05
Shoreline vegetation 0.20 ± 0.03 0.43 ± 0.06
Reeds 0.13 ± 0.03 0.20 ± 0.05
The mean ± 1 sd is shown for each variable. The presence of
algae, submerged vegetation, vegetation along the shore, and
reeds were measured as binomial variables: 1 = presence;
0 = absence.
LDP ponds, ponds constructed with low-density polyethylene.
Pond characteristics
Each pond was characterized to study the habitat
features preferred by Little Grebes (Table 1). We
defined the vegetation in the pond as present (1) or
absent (0), and estimated four variables: extent of
vegetation on the shore, submerged vegetation, unicellular
algae and reeds. We described two types of
pond most simply according to their construction
design: low-density polyethylene (LDP) ponds
were lined by a layer of gravel to protect the plastic
from solar radiation - this type of lining also led to
the pond having a more natural appearance; highdensity
polyethylene (HDP) ponds did not have
any gravel. In general, LDP ponds had more gradual
slopes, were larger and were more vegetated than
HDP ponds (Sánchez-Zapata et al. 2005). We used
digitized aerial photographs (Vuelo Oleícola 1998,
available at www.mapya.es) and a geographical
information system (GRASS 5.0) to estimate the size
of each pond.
The risk of predation could be a factor influencing
pond selection by Little Grebes. However, the ponds
are fenced and therefore predation by mammals
can be considered low. In addition, Grebes have
never been found in dietary studies of their possible
predators within our study area (raptors and foxes;
J.A. Sánchez-Zapata). We thus do not include any
measure of predation risk in our analyses.
Statistical analyses
To assess whether territories were occupied at
random and independent of previous history
Table 1. Averaged characteristics of irrigation ponds in
southeast Spain censused from 2002 to 2006 inclusive
(n = 57) for Little Grebes, as well as the characteristics of a
subset of these ponds used to estimate reproductive
performance and sequential settlement (n = 36).
Characteristic 5-year census
Reproduction and
settlement
% LDP ponds 43 64
Area (ha) 0.65 0.63
Algae 0.86 ± 0.03 0.46 ± 0.06
Submerged vegetation 0.19 ± 0.03 0.71 ± 0.05
Shoreline vegetation 0.20 ± 0.03 0.43 ± 0.06
Reeds 0.13 ± 0.03 0.20 ± 0.05
The mean ± 1 sd is shown for each variable. The presence of
algae, submerged vegetation, vegetation along the shore, and
reeds were measured as binomial variables: 1 = presence;
0 = absence.
LDP ponds, ponds constructed with low-density polyethylene.
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