Conservation of Farmland Birds

Dear Colleagues,

Farmland birds, species linked to the open grassy habitats composing agricultural systems, are among the most threatened groups of birds in several regions across the globe. Once benefited by humans with the conversion of forest to agricultural land, farmland bird populations initiated steep declines in the Northern Hemisphere around the mid-twentieth century with the intensification of agricultural practices to increase food production after the Second World War. Landscape homogenization, use of agrochemicals, loss of semi-natural habitats, and afforestation or shrub encroachment after the abandonment of low-productivity areas are among the main factors underlying the decline of farmland birds. However, their effects at the individual and population levels are still unknown for many species. Transition toward renewable energy systems constitutes a novel threat to the fragile status of many farmland birds, as agricultural land is often highly suitable to build solar parks. Generalized population declines across species have led to the impoverishment and simplification of bird communities, compromising the health and long-term resilience of agroecosystems.

The increasing food demands of a growing human population and geopolitical conflicts challenge the long-term commitment of governments and society with biodiversity conservation goals. Despite the incorporation of biodiversity-oriented measures within agricultural policies and wildlife conservation programs, farmland bird declines are far from being halted or reversed. This can be caused by ineffective environmental legislation or deficient ecological knowledge on target species. Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes studies advancing knowledge on the proximal and ultimate processes and mechanisms underlying the population decline of farmland birds, particularly from poorly investigated species and regions; individual, population and community level responses of farmland birds to drivers of biodiversity loss; policy drivers of farmland bird loss; novel approaches to the study of farmland bird populations; ecosystem services and disservices provided by farmland birds; and recommendations for recovering declining populations.

Dr. Rocio Tarjuelo
Prof. Dr. Manuel B. Morales
Dr. Fabián Casas
Guest Editors

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