Influence of conservation tillage on winter bird use of arable fields in Hungary |
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Authors: | RH Field S Benke K Bdonyi RB Bradbury |
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Institution: | aRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK;bGeographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department for Physical Geography, H-1112 Budapest, Budaörsi út. 45, Hungary |
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Abstract: | Bird use of conservation tillage-established (CT—seedbed preparation without soil inversion) crops was assessed at two adjacent sites in western Hungary, in comparison with conventionally established (mouldboard ploughed—P) fields. Bird abundance was assessed in a typical rotation of spring-sown maize and winter wheat in three consecutive winters. In the first winter, several species and the guild of seed-eating passerines were significantly more abundant on CT established plots, in both crop types. In the second winter, only starlings were more abundant on CT plots. In the third winter, only skylarks favoured CT over P plots. In combination with agri-environment scheme measures designed to provide resources for biodiversity, conservation tillage could play a role in softening the impact of agriculture on farmland birds in Hungary and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, in addition to its potential for reducing soil erosion and diffuse pollution. |
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Keywords: | Conservation tillage Birds Intensification Winter resources |
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