Effects of breeding habitat and field margins on the reproductive performance of Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) on intensive farmland

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of breeding habitat and field margins on the reproductive performance of Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) on intensive farmland

AU - Kuiper, M. W.

AU - Ottens, H. J.

AU - van Ruijven, J.

AU - Koks, B. J.

AU - de Snoo, G. R.

AU - Berendse, Frank

N1 - ISI Document Delivery No.: CK7WS Times Cited: 6 Cited Reference Count: 78 Kuiper, M. W. Ottens, H. J. van Ruijven, J. Koks, B. J. de Snoo, G. R. Berendse, F. Foundation Chair in Nature Conservation on Farmland; province of Groningen; Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Paul van Hoorn Fund); Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Robert Persman Fund); Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Bruinvis Meijer Fund); Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Barbara Eveline Keuning Fund) We are very grateful to the farmers who kindly allowed us to carry out this research on their properties and provided us with useful information and practical assistance. For assistance during fieldwork, we thank Leontien Cenin, Remar Erens, Roel van Klink and Marc Dijksterhuis. Hans Schekkerman and Kees van Scharenburg helped with the data analyses. Two reviewers are thanked for their valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript. The research was partly funded by the Foundation Chair in Nature Conservation on Farmland, the province of Groningen and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Paul van Hoorn Fund, Robert Persman Fund, Bruinvis Meijer Fund, Barbara Eveline Keuning Fund). The execution of practical work complied with the laws of the country in which they were performed. 10 1 32 Springer New york 1439-0361 <Go to ISI>://WOS:000356447100001

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Field margin management is a common measure employed in Europe to support farmland bird populations. In this study we found and analysed 237 nests of the Skylark Alauda arvensis in the Netherlands over a period of 6 years to determine the effects of arable field margins and breeding crop on nest-level reproductive success. Additionally, the effect of field margins on predation was investigated and food availability in crops and field margins was compared. Neither clutch size, nest survival nor nestling body weight were improved by field margin availability, irrespective of the breeding crop used. However, the choice of breeding crop had important effects. Nestling weight was significantly lower in cereals than in grassland and lucerne, corresponding with the low prey densities present in cereals. Nest survival was lowest in grassland due to frequent silage cutting. Predation rates were highest in cereals but were not affected by field margin proximity. The highest reproductive success was achieved in lucerne, which was mown twice a year and retained a suitable height for breeding throughout the breeding season. We conclude that field margins are not sufficient to maintain a Skylark population in this intensively farmed area. The presumably more subtle effects of increased food availability cannot compensate for the high nest failure rates resulting from agricultural operations and predation. In this and similar areas, the provisioning of safe nesting habitat throughout the breeding season is essential to improve breeding performance. Our research suggests that this can be achieved by reducing the frequency of silage cutting on grassland and by increasing the surface area of lucerne.

AB - Field margin management is a common measure employed in Europe to support farmland bird populations. In this study we found and analysed 237 nests of the Skylark Alauda arvensis in the Netherlands over a period of 6 years to determine the effects of arable field margins and breeding crop on nest-level reproductive success. Additionally, the effect of field margins on predation was investigated and food availability in crops and field margins was compared. Neither clutch size, nest survival nor nestling body weight were improved by field margin availability, irrespective of the breeding crop used. However, the choice of breeding crop had important effects. Nestling weight was significantly lower in cereals than in grassland and lucerne, corresponding with the low prey densities present in cereals. Nest survival was lowest in grassland due to frequent silage cutting. Predation rates were highest in cereals but were not affected by field margin proximity. The highest reproductive success was achieved in lucerne, which was mown twice a year and retained a suitable height for breeding throughout the breeding season. We conclude that field margins are not sufficient to maintain a Skylark population in this intensively farmed area. The presumably more subtle effects of increased food availability cannot compensate for the high nest failure rates resulting from agricultural operations and predation. In this and similar areas, the provisioning of safe nesting habitat throughout the breeding season is essential to improve breeding performance. Our research suggests that this can be achieved by reducing the frequency of silage cutting on grassland and by increasing the surface area of lucerne.

KW - Agri-environment Conservation Nestling condition Passerine Predation Reproduction agri-environment scheme agricultural intensification nest success lowland farmland arable farmland southern england bird populations mayfield method food resources growth-ra

U2 - 10.1007/s10336-015-1159-8

DO - 10.1007/s10336-015-1159-8

M3 - Article

SN - 0021-8375

VL - 156

SP - 557

EP - 568

JO - Journal of Ornithology

JF - Journal of Ornithology

IS - 3

ER -