The consequences of pasture abandonment for the Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) in the mountains of Slovakia

Pasture abandonment plays important role in rapid changes of mountain alpine habitats in Europe. The Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus alpestris Brehm) is very sensitive to these changes. Its abundance is declining in western European mountains. However, there is little data from Slovakia. This study confirmed that old, abandoned pastures with high, dense vegetation, limit breeding of the Ring Ouzel due to decreased prey availability. In contrast, the pastures abandoned not long ago, may temporarily play a role of source of the Ring Ouzel population. The most suitable breeding sites were characterized by short green vegetation, patches of easily penetrable bare soil, and moss in green grass. The data predict fast decline in breeding populations of the Ring Ouzel in Slovakia.