AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Evaluation of the impact of the pilot UK Arable Stewardship Scheme on breeding and wintering birds: Few positive responses by birds were observed in the first two years of this new agri-environment scheme

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2003
Authors:Bradbury, RB, Allen, DS
Journal:Bird Study
Volume:50
Date Published:2003
ISBN Number:0006-3657
Keywords:Charadriidae, Vanellus, Vanellus vanellus
Abstract:Aims To determine whether the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme delivered increased populations of either breeding or wintering birds. Methods Birds were surveyed on both scheme and control sites. In the breeding season, a modified Breeding Bird Survey methodology was employed. Complete counts of all birds on each site were conducted in winter. Differences in numbers, or in the change in numbers between the first and second years, between scheme and control sites were assessed by multiple log-linear regression. Results Most species or guilds did not show significant responses to the scheme, although there were statistically significant positive effects on some key target groups, including breeding Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and wintering granivorous passerines. Conclusion The potential reasons for the lack of significant results, including the short length of the monitoring programme, are discussed. Future studies aimed at evaluating the effects of land management prescriptions on birds should be mindful of the time-scale over which monitoring is conducted.Aims To determine whether the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme delivered increased populations of either breeding or wintering birds. Methods Birds were surveyed on both scheme and control sites. In the breeding season, a modified Breeding Bird Survey methodology was employed. Complete counts of all birds on each site were conducted in winter. Differences in numbers, or in the change in numbers between the first and second years, between scheme and control sites were assessed by multiple log-linear regression. Results Most species or guilds did not show significant responses to the scheme, although there were statistically significant positive effects on some key target groups, including breeding Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and wintering granivorous passerines. Conclusion The potential reasons for the lack of significant results, including the short length of the monitoring programme, are discussed. Future studies aimed at evaluating the effects of land management prescriptions on birds should be mindful of the time-scale over which monitoring is conducted.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063650309461304
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith