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.