One of the recognized threats to many raptor species is the loss of food sources due to the fragmentation of their prey’s habitats. However, it has been also shown that some prey species respond to habitat fragmentation by expanding their movement and by utilizing a greater proportion of the total landscape or a number of different habitat types. Therefore, the question of how prey species respond to fragmentation deserves further consideration. The aim of this project will be to check this by considering two species: European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus; IUCN red list NT) and European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus; IUCN red list VU). These are preys of two particularly endangered species (IUCN red list VU): Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), respectively. The project will address the following questions:
1. What is the spatial pattern of suitable habitats of the prey species Oryctolagus cuniculus and Spermophilus citellus, resulting from fragmentation?
2. What are the main differences/similarities between suitable habitats for the two prey species?