Nest success of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus on organic and conventional arable farms in the Netherlands

Abstract

Increasing agricultural intensification has put farmland bird populations under great stress. Although organically managed farms tend to have higher densities of farmland birds than conventionally managed holdings, differences in crop management may also lead to differences in breeding success. With the use of agrochemicals prohibited on organic farms, weeds are controlled using mechanical methods that may pose a threat to ground‐nesting birds. This study compares the territory densities and nesting success of the Lapwing Vanellus vanellus on organic and conventional arable farms in the Netherlands. Territory densities were generally higher on organic farms, although in one year nesting success was lower on organic than on conventional farms. This was caused by higher nest loss resulting from farming activities on organic farms. There were no differences in predation rates. The results of this study show that breeding Lapwings may face potential threats on organic farms. To sustain or enhance Lapwing populations on these farms, additional conservation measures should be implemented.

Does organic farming reduce environmental impacts? – A meta-analysis of European research

“…In particular, weed plant richness has been widely found to be greater in organic farms compared with conventional farms (Albrecht, 2005;Gabriel et al, 2006;Petersen et al, 2006a;Romero et al, 2008;Roschewitz et al, 2005). Some studies showed that landscape had more significant impact on biodiversity than farming regime (Kragten and Snoo, 2007;Piha et al, 2007;Purtauf et al, 2005;Rundlöf et al, 2008;Rundlöf and Smith, 2006). It has also been found that organic farming alone without additional practices is not adequate for conserving some bird species (Kragten and Snoo, 2007;Piha et al, 2007) nor butterflies (Ekroos et al, 2008).…”

“…Some studies showed that landscape had more significant impact on biodiversity than farming regime (Kragten and Snoo, 2007;Piha et al, 2007;Purtauf et al, 2005;Rundlöf et al, 2008;Rundlöf and Smith, 2006). It has also been found that organic farming alone without additional practices is not adequate for conserving some bird species (Kragten and Snoo, 2007;Piha et al, 2007) nor butterflies (Ekroos et al, 2008). The question as to whether conventional farming with specific targeted practices can result in higher biodiversity than organic farming is yet to be fully answered.…”

Ecological impacts of early 21st century agricultural change in Europe – A review

“…Higher numbers of breeding birds on organic fields do not necessarily lead to a higher breeding performance if mechanical weeding of crops is adopted (Kragten and de Snoo, 2007). These operations make fields in organic systems ''ecological traps'' for ground-nesting birds, and make them unsuitable for other taxa requiring low disturbance.…”

The Influence of Different Cover Types on American Robin Nest Success in Organic Agroecosystems

“…While the results for breeding success in organic farm systems compared to non-organic systems are mixed [13,17,18], perhaps the more pressing question for organic farmers is how organic farm management practices influence nesting success within organic systems. Indeed, at this time, particularly for organic farmers, it may be more important to focus on how to optimize the contribution of organic farming to conservation rather than further comparisons between organic and non-organic agroecosystems [19].…”

“…In birds, research has regularly demonstrated that organic farming increases richness, abundance, and use during breeding [9], winter [10], and migration [11]. In organic systems, nest density has been shown to be greater than in non-organic systems [12,13]. However, if organic farmers are going to contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts, conservation practitioners require measures of habitat quality beyond richness, abundance, and density [14] to more accurately quantify the conservation value of different land use and land cover patterns associated with organic farming, regardless of being identified as land spared or land shared.…”