Farming And Birds

This attractively illustrated book reviews the effects of agricultural development on bird populations in Britain. Examining modern farmland as a bird habitat, it explains the changes, both in habitat structure and in available resources, that have occurred as a result of mechanisation and use of agrochemicals. Farmland bird communities are described, and their composition related to farm structure and land use. Based extensively on empirical data extracted from the British Trust for Ornithology's Common Bird Census and from nest histories recorded in the BTO'S Nest Record Scheme, the book presents an important analysis of the position of agricultural bird populations under modern farming systems. Particular examination has been made of the impact of changing methods, rotations and crops, which have been underestimated in the past. Resulting from the co-operation between a professional ornithologist and a working cereal farmer, this book provides an objective and informed view of the impact of British agriculture on bird populations.

In this unique book an international cast of authors highlight all aspects of the problems associated with farming and bird conservation. Discussion ranges from the socio-political pressures on farm policy to the effects of management on a variety of bird species throughout the more and less developed parts of the European Union. Potential changes in the Common Agricultural Policy are considered in terms of how they have been and can be tailored to benefit birds and wildlife through such initiatives as the new Agri-Environment Regulation. Farming and Birds in Europe addresses the need for policy efforts to focus on both the concerns of conservation and sensible farm production in a timely manner. An opportunity not to be missed is at hand, and this book provides much of the importance in seeing that a sensible conclusion is reached, both for the needs of the farmer and consumer and for the birds and wildlife of the European countryside. Key Features * Provides a detailed, up-to-date account of n Common Agricultural Policy and Bird Conservation * Important resource for aid in developing land use policy * Includes an integrated approach to policy making

Farming is the single largest land-use in Europe. It accounts for nearly one half of the total land area of the European Union and is consequently home to many of our most common and widespread birds, as well as to those adapted to particular agricultural landscapes. However, until relatively recently, the conservation importance of farmlands went unrecognised. Furthermore, much of the special value of farmlands has been lost or degraded in recent years as a result of the unprecedented rate of development of new and environmentally damaging land management techniques. Many farmland birds are now in sharp decline, or threatened with local extinction, as a result of the sorts of agricultural intensification encouraged by the Common Agricultural Policy and other related national policies. In this book, an international cast of authors highlight all aspects of these problems from the socio-political pressures on farm policy to the effects of management on a variety of bird species throughout the more and less developed parts of the EU. They go on to consider how the much needed changes in the CAP have and can be tailored to benefit birds and wildlife through such initiatives as the Agri-environment Regulation.

A fascinating study of the relationship between birds and agriculture in the Canadian province of Ontario. This book explores the important role that birds play in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems, and offers practical advice for farmers and conservationists alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Describes a comparative field study conducted on organic farms and conventional farms in Ontario to identify important crop and non-crop habitats and agricultural practices for different groups of farmland birds, and to quantify their effects on bird species richness and abundance. Birds were surveyed using point counts from field edges in May and June 1990 on 20 organic and conventional farms paired geographically for their similarity in crop and non-crop habitats. Fourteen classes of birds and nine species had sufficient data for analysis. Multiple regression models were used to explain variations in species richness and abundance in total and among bird classes. Regression models for omnivores and grassland species of concern were used to estimate risk from adverse changes in site conditions. The results help in assessing ecological risks posed by agriculture and provide insights for alternative landscape designs and farm management systems that enhance farmland birds.