Bird Conservation and Agriculture

Using case studies of 16 species, the authors explore relationships between bird populations and agricultural land management.

Jeremy D. Wilson (Author), Andrew D. Evans (Author), Philip V. Grice (Author)

9780521734721, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 July 2009

406 pages, 40 b/w illus.
24.5 x 18.8 x 2 cm, 0.72 kg

'With almost 1,000 references the book provides an exhaustive compendium of current knowledge. I found it a telling catalogue of both the power and the limitations of science … for those looking for a thorough summary of what is known about conserving birds in British farmland Bird Conservation and Agriculture will be an important reference.' Oryx

Writing for researchers, professionals and graduate students, the authors summarize the collapse of populations of many farmland bird species in the twentieth century, one of the biggest conservation problems of the day. They firstly set the historical context of change in agriculture and bird communities since the eighteenth century, and introduce the bird communities of agricultural land today. They then provide an overview of this very active area of applied conservation science, including in-depth case studies of 16 species that, taken together, illustrate the many ways that agricultural intensification has affected bird populations. Moreover, they show how this evidence base, coupled with recent greening of agriculture policy, has provided opportunities to manage agricultural land to better integrate the needs of food production and bird conservation. They conclude by looking forward to challenges that the conservation of bird populations on agricultural land is likely to face in the near future.

Introduction: birds and agriculture in Britain
1. The history of agriculture in Britain
Part I. The Habitats and their Birds: 2. The field
3. The field boundary
4. Semi-natural heathlands and grasslands
Part II. Trends and Patterns: 5. Bird population trends
6. Patterns of association between agricultural change and wildlife populations
Part III. The Effects of Agricultural Change on Birds: 7. Large-scale studies of abundance, distribution and demograph
8. Species case studies
9. Studies of changing agricultural practice
10. What future for birds and agriculture in Britain?

Subject Areas: Conservation of the environment [RNK], Birds [ornithology PSVW6]