Protecting biological niches

A particular feature of olive groves is the many small niches found in the old trees themselves and in the stone walls which support the traditional terraces. These niches harbour a variety of reptiles and invertebrates, and provide nesting sites for several bird species which thrive in the open 'parkland' habitats of old, widely-spaced olive groves. The olives themselves provide an important food resource for overwintering birds, whilst the ground, undisturbed by man for most of the year, supports orchids, ground-nesting birds, and many butterflies which enjoy these open, sunny habitats. Alongside these species live a variety of predators, such as the scops owl, foxes and stoats, together with other mammal species, including badgers, hedgehogs, porcupines and dormice.