NATURE
more likely to have healthy populations of
F
ARMERS who are working to help threatened birds on their land are also
In three studies RSPB conservation scientists surveyed a range of species at farms with en- vironmental measures in place for three of the UK’s rarest farmland birds – cirl buntings, stone curlews and corncrakes. They compared the diversity and abundance of wildlife with similar farmland, which was not involved in bird conser- vation schemes. The environmental measures studied were de- ened birds and have proven to be successful in helping UK populations to recover. However, researchers found that they were also providing a much-needed boost for all kinds of other species from wild plants to insects and small mammals.
Arable land on Salisbury Plain with fallow plots for nesting stone curlews was found to have almost the number of hares as similar land without the plots.
Farmland in north west Scotland with specially managed plots for corncrakes had twice as of spiders. Other areas where grass was cut later in the year for corncrakes had 18 times as many bumblebees with some other insect species see- ing a 15-fold population increase. Where pastureland had been managed for cirl helped double the number of ground beetles. Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said: ‘These three studies have thrown up some really interesting results. It is great to see that farmers who are working hard to help birds are also pro- viding habitats for many other plants, bees and bugs.
‘We know that these measures are vital if we are to restore lost populations of threatened birds ful and fascinating species as well. ‘A lot of attention is directed at farmland birds be- cause some species are in real danger and it is farmers who hold the key to saving them. How- ever we must look at the whole ecosystem if we are going to ensure the long term health of our countryside. The birds that are the focus of these agri-environment measures are acting as good indicator species - by helping them, we have helped a whole range of other farmland wildlife at the same time.’
The stone curlew study was carried out on arable fallow plots in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Berkshire and was published in the journal Biological Con- servation. The corncrake research took place on cover plots on the Isle of Lewis and areas of late-cut grass on Orkney and was published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. The cirl bunting study was carried out on ex- sown cereals in Devon and was published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation. Martin Harper added: ‘Despite these encourag- ing results, there is still a real need for targeted signed to help non-bird species. Conservation- ists, farmers and government agencies all have a role to play in creating space in our countryside for all threatened wildlife, whether birds, bats,
‘This work underlines how important publicly funded agri environment schemes are in our ef- forts to halt the loss of biodiversity in the UK. ‘This is why we were delighted that the UK Gov- ernment last week argued for more support for wildlife-friendly farming in recent negotiations about the Common Agriculture Policy. Any cuts in these schemes would be bad news for wildlife, farmers and rural communities.’
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