• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
Moderately rapid declines are known to have occurred in several key areas across this species's range as a result of habitat fragmentation and degradation. Consequently it is classified as Vulnerable.

Population justification
García et al. (2008) estimate 15,400 singing males in Morocco, while in Spain the most recent estimate suggests around 3,700-4,000 males (Traba et al. 2019). The Tunisian population was estimated to be c.600 singing males in 2007 (Suarez, Garcia and Vinuela in litt. 2020).

It has a 0.61 male-biased sex ratio, and the global estimate is currently placed between 25,000 – 35,000 individuals (J García pers. comm. 2020, J Traba pers. comm. 2020). This equates to roughly 19,500 – 27,300 mature individuals (assuming that there are roughly 9,750 – 13,650 females based on the sex ratio, and that pairs are strictly monogamous).

Trend justification
Negative trends have been recorded in Spain, with extinctions of local subpopulations occurring during the last two decades (Tella et al. 2005; Traba et al., 2019) and reduced numbers of individuals in extant populations. Recent studies in Spain have recorded declines of at least 40% between 2004 and 2015 (Gómez-Catasús et al., 2018a), equalling a decline of 37% over 10 years, and there is additional evidence of several local extinctions (Suárez 2010, Pérez-Granados et al. 2013a, Pérez-Granados and López-Iborra 2013, 2014, Garza and Traba 2016). Habitat has also been lost or degraded elsewhere in the species's range. In Morocco, 20-30% declines were observed in some sub-populations, but increases were observed in others (J Garcia, 2020, pers. comm.). The overall countrywide trend over 10 years is more likely to be 10-13% reduction (J Garcia, 2020, pers. comm.; N. Lopez-Jiminez, 2020, pers. comm.), but more precise analysis is needed to confirm this (J Garcia, 2020, pers. comm.). In Tunisia, the reduction of habitat from 89,000 km² to 70km² between c.1950 and 2007 (Isenmann et al., 2005; Suárez, García and Viñuela, in litt. 2020) equates to a suspected population reduction rate of 55% in 10 years. Hence, declines of 30-49% are suspected throughout the population.

There are two recognised subspecies: the nominate is found in Spain (mainly east Castilla y León and Aragón, also west Castilla y León near the Portuguese border, east Castilla-La Mancha, west Valencia, and south-east Andalucía), Morocco (mostly in Hauts Plataux of the eastern Oujda Province, and centre-north Rekkam region, high plains between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges (particularly the Midelt-Missour surroundings). It is also found in Algeria (Hauts Plateaux), and north-west Tunisia; margaritae is found in Algeria (south slopes of Atlas Mountains east to Biskra), south-east Tunisia, northern Libya and coastal west Egypt. 

Currently in Europe, the species is only found in continental Spain, which hosts around 13% of the global population (Suárez et al. 2008). The Spanish population declined by more than 20% during 1970-1990 (Tucker and Heath 1994), and this rate of decline is continuing, with a 41.4% reduction in 92 subpopulations between 2004 and 2015 (Gomez-Catasus et al. 2018a). The mean probability of extinction for the whole Spanish metapopulation in 20 years has been estimated to be 0.879 (Traba et al. 2019). 

The species has also gone extinct at multiple localities in Spain over the past two decades, with a 44% range contraction (Garcia-Anton et al., 2019). This contraction is associated with higher temperatures and lower precipitation, and a decrease in human population density which renders this species vulnerable to rural abandonment (Garcia-Anton et al. 2019). The total Spanish population was estimated at 13,000-15,000 pairs following surveys in 1988 (Garza and Suárez 1990). However, the original survey may have dramatically overestimated the size of the Spanish population, which may have comprised as few as 1,900 pairs in 1988 (Garza et al. 2003). Based upon census data collected in 2004-2007, the population was assessed as c.3,500-4,450 singing males (Suárez and Garza 2007, Suárez 2010) with declines noted in most areas (Garza et al. 2006). The most recent estimate for the Spanish population suggest around 3,700-4,000 males (Traba et al. 2019).

Taking into account that the sex ratio is approximately 0.61 (Suárez et al. 2009), these results would mean the existence of roughly 2,200-2,700 pairs. Some authors consider that the sex ratio is even more biased towards males (Tella et al. 2004, Vögeli et al. 2007) which would lead to an even smaller population estimate. The European population declined by more than 40% between 2004 - 2015 (Gomez-Catasus et al. 2018a). A study using autonomous sound recorders discovered several previously unnoticed populations, suggesting that the distribution range is not fully known (Perez-Granados et al. 2018a).

With the exception of Morocco and Tunisia, there is a lack of precise information on distribution and boundaries of both subspecies in North Africa. It is sparsely distributed and uncommon in most areas of its relatively small and fragmented range. In Morocco, the species has a scattered and uneven distribution, and is not recorded in large areas of apparently suitable habitat. Work in Morocco calculated an effective area of suitable habitat of 1,645 km² (García et al. 2008). This area was estimated to support a population of 15,400 singing males (García et al. 2008), although recent studies highlight a large variation in numbers at a local scale between 2008-2020. In Tunisia, fewer than 600 singing males were estimated in 2007, and the extent of suitable habitat was drastically reduced to <100km² (Suarez, Garcia and Vinuela in litt. 2020), compared to previous data in Isenmann et al. 2005). As well as declines noted in Spain, habitat loss has been recorded within the Moroccan breeding range, but its impact and overall trends are not well understood.

In Morocco and Tunisia, it typically occupies open plains, shrub-steppe and high steppe dotted mainly with alfa grass steppes (Stipa spp.). Abundant also in non-degraded wormwood (Artemisia spp.) and other species-mixed shrub vegetation patches, on hard or pebbly soils, avoiding sand (Isenmann and Moali 2000, Thévenot et al. 2003, Isenmann et al. 2005). In Spain, it occurs mostly in areas with low bushes (Seoane et al. 2006, Vögeli et al. 2010, Perez-Granados et al. 2017a, Gomez-Catasus et al. 2019). It may also occur in cereal fields outside the breeding season (Suárez et al. 2008). It is found from 50-1,880 m but mainly over 1,000 m. It feeds on the ground on insects and seeds. Breeding takes place in March-July (Herranz et al. 1994, Perez-Granados et al. 2017b). Breeding in the North African populations starts earlier, at the end of January-February. 

In parts of its range, overgrazing or undergrazing and agricultural development have caused a reduction in its preferred habitats and a considerable decrease in numbers (M. Smart in litt. 2004, Isenmann et al. 2005, Traba et al. 2019). Reforestation schemes also lead to a loss of suitable habitat and infrastructure development has led to fragmentation of habitat, particularly by the construction and development of windfarms in Spain. In Tunisia, the fight against desertification has led to reforestation with Eucalyptus spp. and Optunia spp., which has caused a severe, rapid reduction in the halfa steppes. In Morocco, the loss of the traditional way of life for the nomadic grazers has led to increased sedentary agricultural pressures like the increase in livestock herds. 
The limited dispersal capabilities of the species and its fragmented distribution reduce the exchange of individuals between populations and increases their extinction risk (Méndez et al. 2014).  

The shrinking of its available habitat may be leading to territory saturation, which in turn can lead to agonistic behaviour and nest failure (Vögeli et al. 2010; Pérez-Granados and López-Iborra 2013, 2015). A recent Spanish study has shown that the species's occurrence is principally determined by geographic isolation (extinction events were exclusively related to isolation), landscape matrix and patch size, rather than habitat quality (Vögeli et al. 2010). Isolation of local populations and reduced patch size has a compounding effect on population density since smaller populations suffer reduced singing repertoires which in turn reduce the rescuing from others (receiving immigrants), thus compromising population persistence (Laiolo and Tella 2008, Pérez-Granados et al. 2016). Wildfires can lead to the local extirpation of the species (Pérez-Granados et al. 2013b), although they can have long term benefits (Perez-Granados et al. 2018b). Additionally, wind farms may have negative impacts on the distribution of this lark (Gomez-Catasus et al. 2018b). Political unrest in some of its range may be impacting the species, but the effect this has had on the species is essentially unknown (D. Serrano and J. Traba in litt. 2016). Solar farms have also demonstrated negative effects on local occupancy and persistence of the species (Gomez-Catasus et al. 2018b).

Conservation Actions Underway
EU Birds Directive Annex I. Bern Convention Appendix II. An EU Species Action Plan was published in 2008 (Inigo et al. 2008). The species has been studied in Spain and Morocco and was included as "Endangered" in the Spanish Red Data Book. It is considered Vulnerable in the European Red List of Birds (BirdLife International 2015). The use of conspecific playbacks to attract birds into managed-habitat areas is being trialled (Perez-Granados and Traba, 2019). The benefits of a reduction in tree cover in Valencia are under study. An EU LIFE project is underway to improve habitat in core areas of central Spain. A Spanish National Conservation Strategy has been drafted, and an initiative to uplist the species to Endangered in the Spanish Threatened Species Catalogue is in review. 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Develop new Recovery Plans at regional and national level (N. López-Jiménez in litt. 2016). Continue monitoring Spanish and Moroccan populations. Adopt methods used in Spain to survey populations in North Africa. Improve knowledge of the effect of windfarms on this species (D. Serrano and J. Traba in litt. 2016, Gomez-Catasus et al. 2018b). Determine appropriate levels of grazing to maintain habitat. Improve knowledge of the effect of overgrazing and habitat loss in North Africa, with emphasis on the effects of concentrated sedentary grazing. Investigate the population and habitat situation in Algeria. Obtain more information on factors determining demography and dispersal, particularly in a fragmentation context (D. Serrano and J. Traba in litt. 2016).

Work with farmers and pastoralists to ensure that levels of grazing benefit the species.  Progress the anti-desertification programs in Morocco. Prevent further degradation to the halfa steppes, and implement direct management to protect the remaining steppes in Tunisia. Prevent further habitat fragmentation, protect important sites and increase connectivity in the most isolated populations (López-Jiménez 2015, D. Serrano and J. Traba in litt. 2016). Develop conservation measures to maintain the populations of this species at a level corresponding to the ecological and scientific requirements (Habitat Directive) level (López-Jiménez, 2015). Since gene flow between Iberian and African populations is extremely low (García et al. 2008, Méndez et al. 2011), it is important that conservation plans for Iberian populations do not rely on the existence of the African populations of the same subspecies.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Ashpole, J, Bird, J., Butchart, S., Derhé, M., Ekstrom, J., Garcia, J., Garrido López, J.R., Harding, M., Isenmann, P., López-Jiménez, N., Pérez-Granados, C., Rafael Garrido Lopez, J., Serrano, D., Smart, M., Traba, J., Vögeli, M. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/duponts-lark-chersophilus-duponti on 18/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 18/12/2024.