The aim of the study was to identify landscape properties which are responsible for the large differences in White Stork population densities occurring in an agricultural landscape. The study area covered six plots (308– 1218 km²) in Brandenburg (Germany). They differed in respect to proportions of main landscape components (grasslands, crop fields, woodlands, parks and gardens, built-up areas), to degree of fragmentation of grasslands and crop fields and to proportions of different grassland types (moist meadows, slightly moist pasturelands, dry grasslands, persistent nitrophilous ruderal communities, herbaceous perennials and intensively used sown grassland). The correlation coefficients between the Stork density and proportions of main landscape components were small (|rs |<0.7) and insignificant (P>0.15) but the Stork density was positively related to proportion of intensively used sown grasslands. However, the greatest part of variation in Stork density could be explained by the fragmentation of grasslands and crop fields. Stork density was positively correlated with density of crop field patches as well as with grassland edge density. The spatial distribution of these patches was not important. Our results suggest that at a moderate proportion (ca. 10%) of grasslands, composition and high fragmentation of these habitats are vital for white storks.
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