Habitatförändringars påverkan på talltitan Poecile montanus samt artens potential att åter häcka i Nationalstadsparken

Forestry in Fennoscandia has led to a structural simplification of forest landscapes, altering the conditions for bird species living in this biotope. The willow tit Poecile montanus has undergone a dramatic decline in the area since the 1980s. This review compiles research investigating habitat-related factors that may have contributed to this decline. Environmental parameters found to affect the survival and breeding success are understory vegetation, dead wood availability, moisture levels, forest continuity, and the presence of old-growth forest. The combined lack of these habitat features is suggested to exacerbate population declines of willow tits, highlighting the necessity of targeted conservation efforts. The continuous availability of standing decaying wood is a fundamental requirement for nesting. Other key recommendations include reducing thinning intensity, maintaining continuous forest cover, protecting old-growth forests, and restoring moist forest areas. In addition to the review, I also present a case study of the National City Park in Stockholm, where no breeding pairs of willow tits have been recorded for at least 30 years. Thinning practices and the scarcity of suitable decaying wood may be contributing factors. Expanding thinning-free areas and retaining dead birch to ensure a continuous supply of nesting sites are proposed measures that could facilitate re-establishment.