Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia Staggenborg, Nils Anthes
Summary: The study found that some European agricultural environment options were strongly positively associated with farmland bird abundance, but the effect sizes varied. Effect sizes were larger but also more variable in grassland-dominated and cropland farming systems, highlighting the need for more effective conservation schemes for grassland inhabitants.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas Neyens, Oana Petrof, Christel Faes, Wim Vandenrijt, Paula Ulenaers, Tom Artois, Natalie Beenaerts, Ruben Evens
Summary: Since 1992, the European Union has implemented agri-environment schemes (AES) to combat the decline in farmland biodiversity caused by intensified agriculture. These schemes, such as unharvested set-aside fields with winter bird crops (WBC), aim to improve habitat quality and food availability for farmland birds. A study conducted in Belgium found that the implementation of WBC in crop fields increased species richness and observation probabilities of nine out of ten wintering farmland bird species. The presence of nearby landscape elements, such as hedgerows and woodland, also influenced species richness and observation probabilities.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
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
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mike Image, Emma Gardner, Yann Clough, Henrik G. Smith, Katherine C. R. Baldock, Alistair Campbell, Mike Garratt, Mark A. K. Gillespie, William E. Kunin, Megan McKerchar, Jane Memmott, Simon G. Potts, Deepa Senapathi, Graham N. Stone, Felix Wackers, Duncan B. Westbury, Andrew Wilby, Tom H. Oliver, Tom D. Breeze
Summary: The study found that participation in agri-environment schemes led to significant increases in the populations of ground-nesting bumblebees and ground-nesting solitary bees, but not for other pollinator guilds. Recommendations for future schemes include prioritizing nesting resource provision alongside floral resource provision, catering better for the needs of specialized species, and promoting more contiguous patches of semi-natural habitat to support solitary bee visitation.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
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
Niamh M. McHugh, Belinda Bown, Adam McVeigh, Roseanne Powell, Emily Swan, John Szczur, Philip Wilson, John Holland
Summary: Our study investigated the potential benefits of annual cultivated and floristically enhanced grass margins for pollinators. Management significantly influenced visitation rates by pollinators in cultivated margins, while older floristically enhanced grass margins tended to be dominated by grass and had lower flower abundance. Sown margins were associated with increased bee and other pollinator abundance compared to those established via natural regeneration. Tolerance of some agricultural weeds could be advocated based on our 2019 pollinator foraging data. Overall, our results highlight the complementary benefits of both types of agri-environment scheme habitats for pollinators and suggest providing both habitats where arable pollinator conservation is a priority.
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
Environmental Sciences
Rosemary Wool, George Breckenridge, Guy Ziv, Arjan S. Gosal
Summary: This paper examines the spatial drivers of AES in the UK, focusing on the Humber region. Logistic regression analysis is used to identify the factors that explain AES adoption. The results indicate that AES are generally placed on lower quality land, and there is a need to make the Sustainable Farming Incentive more inclusive.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Caroline Harkness, Francisco J. Areal, Mikhail A. Semenov, Nimai Senapati, Ian F. Shield, Jacob Bishop
Summary: Instability in farm income poses challenges for farm management and public policy design. Increasing agricultural diversity and participating in agri-environment schemes may help enhance income stability for farms.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Philippe Jeanneret, Stefano Pozzi, Carlos Martinez Nunez
Summary: Agri-environment schemes (AES) are designed to mitigate the negative impacts of intensive agriculture on biodiversity by providing specific areas for farmland biodiversity conservation. In Switzerland, farmers must manage 7% or more of their land as biodiversity promotion areas (BPAs) to qualify for direct payments. The study found that BPAs generally have higher alpha-diversity (average number of species) compared to conventionally managed fields, but beta-diversity (species composition) is more effective in assessing the impact of AES. Woody BPAs, such as hedges and high-stem tree orchards, are particularly important for spider conservation, and BPA hedges contribute the most to spider diversity in grassland and mixed regions.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christoph Buschmann, Manuel Narjes, Norbert Roeder
Summary: Biodiversity loss is a major global threat, and the European Commission has been actively addressing this issue. Farmland birds, including the lapwing in Germany, have been significantly impacted. The European Union has tried to tackle biodiversity loss through voluntary agri-environmental schemes (AESs), but only a small portion of agricultural land is enrolled. A study conducted in Germany with arable farmers suggests that scheme attributes tied with compliance reduce acceptance of AES, and farmer and farm characteristics influence preferences for AES attributes. The article also discusses how the weaknesses of AES can be addressed in the new Green Architecture of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marina Reyne, Myles Nolan, Henry McGuiggan, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid
Summary: The study shows that artificial ponds created in agricultural grasslands do not directly replicate natural ponds in adjacent semi-natural habitats, but play a role in preserving high local biodiversity, albeit with a different community of species. The creation of ponds in farmland as well as in adjacent natural habitats can provide a wider range of environmental conditions and richer macroinvertebrate communities, enhancing landscape connectivity and regional biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Amy Arnott, Mark Emmerson, Paul Caplat, Neil Reid
Summary: The study indicates that landscape composition significantly influences the diversity and abundance of aerial invertebrate functional groups, with AES management potentially contributing to the maintenance or enhancement of ecosystem services. The responses of aerial invertebrates to landscape complexity are complex and idiosyncratic, highlighting the importance of considering multi-scale landscape effects when evaluating the impact of agricultural management.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Shujiang Tang
Summary: In this paper, a novel high-resolution fifth-order WENO-JS-type scheme called WENO-NSI is proposed, which achieves optimal accuracy order at or near arbitrary order critical points. By normalizing the local smoothness factor and introducing a mapping function to enhance the accuracy of the normalization variables, the WENO-NSI scheme improves the shock capture ability by selecting appropriate parameters. Numerical experiments comparing the WENO-NSI scheme with other schemes demonstrate its ability to achieve theoretical accuracy and superior shock capturing performance.
APPLIED NUMERICAL MATHEMATICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vojtech Brlik, Jaroslav Kolecek, Malcolm Burgess, Steffen Hahn, Diana Humple, Milos Krist, Janne Ouwehand, Emily L. Weiser, Peter Adamik, Jose A. Alves, Debora Arlt, Sanja Barisic, Detlef Becker, Eduardo J. Belda, Vaclav Beran, Christiaan Both, Susana P. Bravo, Martins Briedis, Bohumir Chutny, Davor Cikovic, Nathan W. Cooper, Joana S. Costa, Victor R. Cueto, Tamara Emmenegger, Kevin Fraser, Olivier Gilg, Marina Guerrero, Michael T. Hallworth, Chris Hewson, Frederic Jiguet, James A. Johnson, Tosha Kelly, Dmitry Kishkinev, Michel Leconte, Terje Lislevand, Simeon Lisovski, Cosme Lopez, Kent P. McFarland, Peter P. Marra, Steven M. Matsuoka, Piotr Matyjasiak, Christoph M. Meier, Benjamin Metzger, Juan S. Monros, Roland Neumann, Amy Newman, Ryan Norris, Tomas Part, Vaclav Pavel, Noah Perlut, Markus Piha, Jeroen Reneerkens, Christopher C. Rimmer, Amelie Roberto-Charron, Chiara Scandolara, Natalia Sokolova, Makiko Takenaka, Dirk Tolkmitt, Herman Van Oosten, Arndt H. J. Wellbrock, Hazel Wheeler, Jan van der Winden, Klaudia Witte, Bradley K. Woodworth, Petr Prochazka
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ornithology
Timo Pakkala, Juha Tiainen, Markus Piha, Jari Kouki
Article
Ecology
Simeon Lisovski, Roland Neumann, Tomas Albrecht, Pavel Munclinger, Markus P. Ahola, Silke Bauer, Jaroslav Cepak, Thord Fransson, Sven Jakobsson, Tuomo Jaakkonen, Petr Klvana, Cecilia Kullberg, Toni Laaksonen, Benjamin Metzger, Markus Piha, Peter Shurulinkov, Robert Stach, Kare Strom, William Velmala, Martins Briedis
Summary: The study identified potential migratory barriers and corridors within the Indo-European flyway, showing that optimal migration routes driven by wind and resource availability are seasonally specific and do not overlap. Migratory birds adopt seasonally distinct migration strategies, with energy minimization strategy in autumn and time minimizing strategy in spring. The optimal migration models can be applied worldwide to explain the large-scale biogeographic pattern of migratory animals.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Catriona A. Morrison, Simon J. Butler, Robert A. Robinson, Jacquie A. Clark, Juan Arizaga, Ainars Aunins, Oriol Balta, Jaroslav Cepak, Tomasz Chodkiewicz, Virginia Escandell, Ruud P. B. Foppen, Richard D. Gregory, Magne Husby, Frederic Jiguet, John Atle Kalas, Aleksi Lehikoinen, Ake Lindstrom, Charlotte M. Moshoj, Karoly Nagy, Arantza Leal Nebot, Markus Piha, Jiri Reif, Thomas Sattler, Jana Skorpilova, Tibor Szep, Norbert Teufelbauer, Kasper Thorup, Chris van Turnhout, Thomas Wenninger, Jennifer A. Gill
Summary: Conservation policies for declining wildlife species are challenging due to multiple environmental changes impacting population declines. Targeted actions to improve local productivity within Europe, combined with large-scale environmental protection across non-breeding ranges, could help halt migrant landbird declines. Such demographic approaches are increasingly necessary to address global wildlife declines.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Timo Pakkala, Juha Tiainen, Heikki Pakkala, Markus Piha, Jari Kouki
Summary: Cavities play a crucial role in forest ecosystems, affecting cavity excavators and birds that nest within them. The persistence and lifespan of cavities in living trees are significantly higher than in dead trees, impacting the number and diversity of bird species utilizing them.
ACTA ORNITHOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catriona A. Morrison, Simon J. Butler, Jacquie A. Clark, Juan Arizaga, Oriol Balta, Jaroslav Cepak, Arantza Leal Nebot, Markus Piha, Kasper Thorup, Thomas Wenninger, Robert A. Robinson, Jennifer A. Gill
Summary: The variation in demographic rates across space and time can inform conservation policy and guide targeted actions to improve population dynamics. Understanding the specific conditions associated with low demographic rates is crucial for effective conservation strategies.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sari Holopainen, Marketa Cehovska, Kim Jaatinen, Toni Laaksonen, Andreas Linden, Petri Nummi, Markus Piha, Hannu Poysa, Tero Toivanen, Veli-Matti Vaananen, Aleksi Lehikoinen
Summary: This study found that the increase in population of large herbivorous waterbird species in breeding wetlands does not lead to asymmetric competition with other waterbird species. The whooper swan may serve as an indicator of habitat quality and have conservation benefits for declining waterbird populations. The findings emphasize the importance of considering species interactions in conservation strategies.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
P. Schwemmer, R. Pederson, K. Haecker, P. Bocher, J. Fort, M. Mercker, F. Jiguet, J. Elts, R. Marja, M. Piha, P. Rousseau, S. Garthe
Summary: Installation of offshore wind farms is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it also poses a threat to migrating birds and wildlife. This study used GPS tags to track the migration routes of Eurasian curlews across the Baltic Sea, revealing potential conflicts with existing and future wind farms. The findings highlight the importance of marine spatial planning and further research on bird behavior in relation to offshore wind farms.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wieland Heim, Antti Piironen, Ramona Julia Heim, Markus Piha, Tuomas Seimola, Jukka T. Forsman, Toni Laaksonen
Summary: This study investigated the individual responses of free-flying geese to three repelling methods: human approach, gunshot sound, and handheld lasers. Multiple repelling increased repelling success and return time, with longer travel distances after human approach and gunshot sound. The probability of returning to the same field was higher after repelling with handheld lasers in spring. Handheld lasers were recommended for repelling due to reduced energetic losses and disturbance of non-target wildlife, as well as cost-effectiveness compared to human approach and gunshot sound.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philipp Schwemmer, Moritz Mercker, Karena Haecker, Helmut Kruckenberg, Steffen Kampfer, Pierrick Bocher, Samantha Franks, Jaanus Elts, Riho Marja, Markus Piha, Pierre Rousseau, Rebecca Pederson, Heinz Duettmann, Thomas Fartmann, Stefan Garthe, Jerome Fort, Frederic Jiguet
Summary: EU member countries and the UK are installing offshore windfarms in the Baltic and North Seas, which may have adverse effects on migratory species. The study analyzed the flight tracks of 143 Eurasian curlews, finding that they exhibited small-scale avoidance responses when approaching the windfarms, resulting in reduced collision risk. However, the windfarms still pose a significant barrier effect for migrating birds. The study highlights the need for further research on the energetic costs of altered flight paths caused by offshore windfarms.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Fraixedas, Andreas Linden, Markus Piha, Mar Cabeza, Richard Gregory, Aleksi Lehikoinen
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2020)
Article
Ornithology
Timo Pakkala, Juha Tiainen, Heikki Pakkala, Markus Piha, Jari Kouki
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Juha Tiainen, Terho Hyvonen, Marleena Hagner, Erja Huusela-Veistola, Pauliina Louhi, Antti Miettinen, Tiina M. Nieminen, Ansa Palojarvi, Tuomas Seimola, Pauliina Taimisto, Perttu Virkajarvi
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Ornithology
Timo Pakkala, Juha Tiainen, Heikki Pakkala, Markus Piha, Jari Kouki
