Predator-guild-specific parental responses mitigate higher predation risk on ground nests close to forest patches in a mosaic landscape

Abstract

The risk of nest predation differs across habitats and increases with proximity to habitat edges. In agricultural mosaic landscapes, the breeding success of ground-nesting birds can be negatively impacted by the presence of adjacent forest patches, which act as a source of predation. However, we still have limited knowledge on how birds nesting in such habitats cope with variable predation risk. In this study, we investigated predation rates of experimental ground nests and Northern Lapwing nests (Vanellus vanellus), in relation to the nearest patch. Furthermore, we tested the aggressive responses displayed by nesting pairs towards stuffed nest predators of different guilds at different distances from the forest. Predation rate on experimental nests increased with proximity and area of the closest forest patch. In contrast, predation rate on lapwing nests was not affected by the presence of forest, suggesting effective nest defence performed by parents to protect their clutch. Pairs displayed more aggressive behaviours against predators compared with a control wood log. Additionally, responses to specific predators varied with forest distance. Lapwings appeared more aggressive towards a bird when closer to forests, but were more aggressive towards a mammal further from forests. This study highlights the importance of fine-scale differences in anti-predatory behaviours to compensate for local variations in predation risk, in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Animal Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.