The influence of livestock management on habitat quality for farmland birds

Buckingham, D. L. and Peach, W. J. (2005) The influence of livestock management on habitat quality for farmland birds. Animal Science, 81. pp. 199-203. ISSN 1357-7298 doi: 10.1079/ASC50700199

Abstract/Summary

This review covers research linking foraging habitat quality for birds to livestock management in lowland farmland. Based on this research we propose a framework for predicting the value of grazing systems to birds. This predictive framework is needed to guide the development of agri-environment measures to address farmland bird declines in pastoral areas. We show that the exacting requirements of declining granivorous birds pose the greatest challenges, while the needs of soil invertebrate feeding species are more easily met.