Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Riho Marja, Teja Tscharntke, Peter Batary
Summary: Intensification of agricultural production and simplification of landscape structure have negatively affected arthropod communities. Agri-environment schemes can partially compensate for these losses and enhance arthropod populations, but their effectiveness is higher in simple landscapes. Landscape complexity determines the local arthropod species richness, while local management only affects arthropod abundance.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Salek, Martin Mayer
Summary: The modernization of farmsteads has negatively impacted farmland bird populations by reducing nesting and foraging opportunities. It is recommended to include compensatory measures during farmstead construction/modernization, increase awareness among stakeholders, and support small traditional farms.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elwyn Sharps, Robert W. Hawkes, Andrew J. Bladon, David L. Buckingham, Jennifer Border, Antony J. Morris, Philip V. Grice, Will J. Peach
Summary: Agri-environment schemes (AES) are the primary policy mechanism for addressing farmland biodiversity declines across Europe. Higher-tier AES provision can promote avian population growth on farmland, while lower-tier provision has less impact. To increase regional farmland bird populations by 10%, 47% and 26% of the farmed landscape would need to be devoted to higher-tier agreements in arable and pastoral landscapes, respectively.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie Roilo, Jan O. Engler, Tomas Vaclavik, Anna F. Cord
Summary: Agri-environment schemes, ecological focus areas, and organic farming are key tools in the common agricultural policy to address the decline of farmland biodiversity in Europe. The effectiveness of these measures varies at different spatial scales, with landscape-level management playing a crucial role. Higher adoption levels of these measures could significantly improve breeding habitat suitability for farmland bird species across the agricultural landscape.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Katherina Ng, Somayeh Nowrouzi, Kyran M. Staunton, Philip Barton, Don A. Driscoll
Summary: The study found that remnant native vegetation provides crucial habitat resources for many ant species that are not provided by farmlands, and that in some cases native plantings can ameliorate negative effects of farmland clearing. Agricultural intensification involving loss of remnant native vegetation will contribute to ongoing losses and changes to ant biodiversity in farming landscapes. However, replanting native vegetation can lead to rapid restoration, offering a possible simple remedy to insect declines.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lionel R. Hertzog, Sebastian Klimek, Norbert Roeder, Claudia Frank, Hannah G. S. Boehner, Johannes Kamp
Summary: Fallow agricultural land plays an important role in supporting threatened and declining farmland biodiversity. The relationship between farmland biodiversity and fallow area is influenced by landscape factors and varies among species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Schmitt, Werner Ulrich, Andjela Delic, Mike Teucher, Jan Christian Habel
Summary: Species community structures in East African drylands are highly sensitive to both natural and anthropogenic impacts, with seasonality playing a significant role in resource availability and species composition. Farmland and savannah support distinct butterfly communities, with human activities buffering the seasonal fluctuations in detectable species abundances. Strict habitat associations are weaker in the savannah region, suggesting a more generalized species distribution compared to the farmland area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xabier Cabodevilla, Alexander D. Wright, Diego Villanua, Beatriz Arroyo, Elise F. Zipkin
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of irrigation on bird species occurrence patterns in a 100 km(2) area in northern Spain. It found that irrigation had an overall negative impact on the local bird community, with the majority of species decreasing in occurrence rates and only a small fraction increasing. This negative impact was particularly detrimental to farmland birds.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rocio Tarjuelo, Elena D. Concepcion, Irene Guerrero, Ana Carricondo, Yolanda Cortes, Mario Diaz
Summary: Agri-environment schemes (AES) play an important role in conserving declining farmland birds in Europe. This study evaluated the impact of AES on taxonomic and functional responses of farmland birds in Spain, showing that an increased proportion of food prescriptions led to higher species richness and Shannon diversity, while balanced AES increased bird abundance. The length of field boundaries increased both taxonomic and functional diversity, while the proportion of herbaceous crops decreased diversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xabier Cabodevilla, Francois Mougeot, Gerard Bota, Santi Manosa, Francesc Cusco, Julen Martinez-Garcia, Beatriz Arroyo, Maria J. Madeira
Summary: This study used a metabarcoding approach to analyze the diet composition of six significant farmland birds in European cereal pseudo-steppes, revealing that they mainly consume plants with some species also consuming arthropods. The study highlights the importance of natural and semi-natural vegetation in providing a diverse food source for these declining species throughout the year.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Salek, Karolina Kalinova, Renata Dankova, Stanislav Grill, Michal Zmihorski
Summary: This study compared farmland bird communities in Austria and the Czech Republic, finding significantly higher abundance and species richness of farmland birds in Austria compared to the Czech Republic, likely due to differences in agricultural systems and landscape structures.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John W. Redhead, Shelley A. Hinsley, Marc S. Botham, Richard K. Broughton, Stephen N. Freeman, Paul E. Bellamy, Gavin Siriwardena, Zoe Randle, Marek Nowakowski, Matthew S. Heard, Richard F. Pywell
Summary: Despite decades of research and implementation of agri-environment schemes (AES), farmland biodiversity continues to decline. However, a 10-year study on bird and butterfly species in a farmland landscape in southern England showed that areas with AES intervention had stable or increasing species abundance, in contrast to equivalent landscapes without AES. These findings emphasize the importance of delivering and monitoring high-quality AES options for biodiversity conservation.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mattia Brambilla, Francesco Gatti
Summary: Agricultural intensification poses a major threat to biodiversity, with vineyards being particularly concerning. In this study conducted in a wine area in northern Italy, it was found that alternate management of vineyard ground cover had a positive effect on the number of bird and butterfly species, promoting the richness and abundance of functional insectivores and seed eaters. Shrubland cover was identified as the most relevant land cover for providing ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
David C. Pavlacky, Adam W. Green, Thomas Luke George, Rich Iovanna, Anne M. Bartuszevige, Maureen D. Correll, Arvind O. Panjabi, Thomas Brandt Ryder
Summary: The decline of biodiversity due to human landscape modification is a pressing conservation problem. The recovery of grassland avifauna has become a priority in North America. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) aims to restore perennial grasslands by providing financial incentives to private agricultural producers. This study investigates the spatial patterns of grassland availability and restoration in the Great Plains to inform landscape-scale conservation strategies for grassland birds.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Dafne Ram, Ake Lindstrom, Lars B. Pettersson, Paul Caplat
Summary: Many bird species that are typical to farmland have declined in numbers. However, forest clear-cuts could potentially serve as important habitats for these birds. A study conducted in Sweden found that bird community composition and species abundance on clear-cuts varied depending on factors such as size, age, vegetation height, region, and proximity to farmland. While some farmland species were common on clear-cuts, others were scarce due to predator avoidance or a lack of suitable nest sites or food resources. More research is needed to fully understand the importance of clear-cuts for farmland species and how to make them more favorable habitats.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pavel Vrba, Stanislav Grill, Tomas Kadlec, Vladimir Papaj, Martin Konvicka
Summary: This study investigated the resource use of endangered butterfly Chazara briseis in Czech volcanic hills, finding that butterflies utilised different vegetation structures for different activities and that there were differences in land cover type utilisation between males and females. Insect conservation management should provide habitats with open, short-sward patches alternating with flower-rich taller sward and shrubby patches.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katerina Francova, Katerina Sumberova, Andrea Kucerova, Michal Sorf, Stanislav Grill, Norbert Exler, Jaroslav Vrba
Summary: The study compared plant species diversity and cover in reed beds and exposed bottoms in nursery and main ponds, finding significant differences between them. Factors such as zone width and shoreline slope had the greatest impact on the development of reed beds, while fishpond management type and surrounding land use were key factors in determining the vegetation of exposed bottoms. Partial summer drainage supported plant diversity and cover in both fishpond types, with potential implications for biodiversity preservation and management of shallow water bodies.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Havlicek, Jan Riegert, Jaroslava Bandhauerova, Roman Fuchs, Martin Salek
Summary: This study examined the habitat preferences and population densities of three farmland bird species in urban environments, finding that house sparrows and Eurasian collared doves preferred buildings, while tree sparrows favored small-scale farms. Based on these findings, management measures can be implemented to support declining populations of these species in urban settings.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jan Cukor, Rostislav Linda, Oddgeir Andersen, Lasse Frost Eriksen, Zdenek Vacek, Jan Riegert, Martin Salek
Summary: The study revealed a high predation pressure on black grouse nests, with stone martens, common ravens, and red foxes being the main potential nest predators. The overall predation rate of artificial nests in the study areas of Ore Mts. and Jeseniky Mts. was 56%, with significant differences in survival rate between the two areas. The main nest predator varied between the two areas, with common ravens being dominant in Ore Mts. and Eurasian jays in Jeseniky Mts.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Salek, Karolina Kalinova, Renata Dankova, Stanislav Grill, Michal Zmihorski
Summary: This study compared farmland bird communities in Austria and the Czech Republic, finding significantly higher abundance and species richness of farmland birds in Austria compared to the Czech Republic, likely due to differences in agricultural systems and landscape structures.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tereza Zaleska, Eva Hola, Jan Kucera, Stanislav Grill, Petr Smilauer, Tana Stechova
Summary: Management, such as mowing, plays a crucial role in maintaining the diverse bryophyte layer in fen meadows. Different management approaches can impact the expansion and persistence of bryophyte species in these habitats.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Mayer, Martin Salek, Anthony David Fox, Frej Juhl Lindhoj, Lars Bo Jacobsen, Peter Sunde
Summary: Advances in bio-logging technology have improved our ability to study wildlife behavior, but analyzing GPS data with autocorrelation can be challenging. A study on little owls in Denmark and the Czech Republic found differences in nightly space use and foraging behavior, but similarities in habitat selection, highlighting the potential of high-resolution GPS data for conservation actions.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Salek, Miroslav Bazant, Michal Zmihorski, Anna Gamero
Summary: Farmland biodiversity has declined significantly in recent decades. This study investigates the effects of seed-rich strips (SRS) on winter farmland species and finds that SRS can have a positive impact on species richness and abundance, especially for birds.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Salek, Karolina Kalinova, Jiri Reif
Summary: The study explores the conservation potential of semi-natural habitats for farmland birds and finds that both open scrubland and farmland hedges have large potential for bird conservation. However, the type and area of habitats have different impacts on species richness and abundance of birds.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Salek, Martin Mayer
Summary: The modernization of farmsteads has negatively impacted farmland bird populations by reducing nesting and foraging opportunities. It is recommended to include compensatory measures during farmstead construction/modernization, increase awareness among stakeholders, and support small traditional farms.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hendrik Bluhm, Tom A. A. Diserens, Thomas Engleder, Kaja Heising, Marco Heurich, Tomas Janik, Miloslav Jirku, Daniel Klich, Hannes J. J. Koenig, Rafal Kowalczyk, Dries Kuijper, Weronika Maslanko, Frank-Uwe Michler, Wiebke Neumann, Julian Oeser, Wanda Olech, Kajetan Perzanowski, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Dusan Romportl, Martin Salek, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: This study aimed to assess the opportunities and limitations for range expansions of European bison and moose in Central Europe. It found widespread suitable habitats for these two species, but also identified human pressure and natural barriers that restrict their recolonization. Conservation measures restoring connectivity are needed to allow these large herbivores to expand their historical ranges.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Salek, Miroslav Bazant, Petr Klvana, Zdenek Vermouzek, Radovan Vaclav
Summary: Raptors are affected by anthropogenic mortality, with direct persecution historically dominating but contemporary patterns shaped by different sources. Vehicle collisions caused higher mortality rates after 2000, while powerlines and other anthropogenic causes gradually declined. Species-specific variation was detected in raptor mortality causes.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Salek, Jan Riegert, Aleksandra Krivopalova, Jan Cukor
Summary: Current lowland agricultural landscapes have a low representation of seminatural habitats, but the presence of non-farmed habitats, such as power pylons, may be beneficial for medium-sized mammals. Mammalian species show a clear preference for power pylons over farmland and spend more time under power pylons engaging in comfort behavior. Shrub density, distance to the field edge, and distance to shrub patches have significant effects on mammal use intensity under power pylons, particularly for European hare.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Martin Salek, Stanislav Grill, Jan Riegert
Summary: While rapid urbanization poses a major threat to biodiversity, evidence shows that urban ecosystems can be suitable habitats for species like birds. Eurasian magpies were found to select nest sites differently in urban and non-urban habitats, with higher nests located in urban areas to avoid human disturbance and predation.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2021)