Debates through the lenses of an environmental
change perspective tend to portray agriculture in a bad light. Well, as someone
from an agricultural background I would challenge those that assume agriculture
is a wholly damaging practice that is causing losses of biodiversity.
The agrarian landscape, which has come to define the British countryside, can provide a space for certain species to thrive. If you think about the iconic animals of our countryside – Fox? Hare? Rabbit? – they all spend a great deal of time on land managed for agricultural production. Birds, like pheasants, buzzards, and the barn owl (notice the word barn…!), all love the rural landscape too. It is important that we don’t forget the importance of farmland as a wildlife and plant habitat.
The agrarian landscape, which has come to define the British countryside, can provide a space for certain species to thrive. If you think about the iconic animals of our countryside – Fox? Hare? Rabbit? – they all spend a great deal of time on land managed for agricultural production. Birds, like pheasants, buzzards, and the barn owl (notice the word barn…!), all love the rural landscape too. It is important that we don’t forget the importance of farmland as a wildlife and plant habitat.
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| Hares can be seen boxing in the Spring (source: robertefuller.blogspot.co.uk) |
A Reliance on Farmland?
I came across an interesting article recently that presents the findings of a research study conducted in Africa and Asia, which suggested some threatened species needed farmland for survival. The study found at least 30 bird species that would have been driven to extinction without the existence of farmland. The species under particular threat were dependent on farming for all of their primary needs (land for nesting, breeding, and food). A comment I found particularly interesting was that of Dr Wright, who pointed out that most conservation efforts in the developing world focus their attention on forest species and pristine habitats, to the detriment of those that rely on farmland. Is this because of a general assumption that farming practices are damaging diversity, not supporting it? I think this is a real possibility.
The Danger of Intensification
I came across an interesting article recently that presents the findings of a research study conducted in Africa and Asia, which suggested some threatened species needed farmland for survival. The study found at least 30 bird species that would have been driven to extinction without the existence of farmland. The species under particular threat were dependent on farming for all of their primary needs (land for nesting, breeding, and food). A comment I found particularly interesting was that of Dr Wright, who pointed out that most conservation efforts in the developing world focus their attention on forest species and pristine habitats, to the detriment of those that rely on farmland. Is this because of a general assumption that farming practices are damaging diversity, not supporting it? I think this is a real possibility.
The Danger of Intensification
Of course, as was pointed out in this
study, the intensification of agriculture is a threat to many species. Agricultural
practices must look to promote biodiversity and ecological functions, with
habitats managed sensitively. Indeed, if agricultural intensification
continues, those species currently reliant on farmland may suffer. Organic
farming practices and new forms of management such as eco-agriculture provide
possible strategies for ensuring these landscapes remain important wildlife
habitats. At the very least, the maintenance of traditional and mixed farming should
be actively encouraged.
But, taking everything into consideration,
we should recognise farmers as important managers of our landscape, as farmland
does indeed support many species.
Hi Hugo,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post advocating farms as supporters of biodiversity but there are a few points I want to pick up on. Firstly I have read the Wright (2012) paper that you refer to and I think that it is important to mention the fact that the paper assesses the importance of traditional farming for biodiversity. I’m sure you will agree that the traditional farming methods of the developing world differ greatly from those of contemporary agriculture here in the UK. To further this, the author adds that agriculture change and modernization endangers the 30 bird species that would have been driven to extinction without the existence of farmland. I therefore don’t think that this research holds any relevance to the UK and so inferences cannot be made about fox, hare and rabbit populations.
Habitat loss is identified as the main threat to 85% of all species described in the IUCN’s Red List. Interestingly increasing food production is cited as the major agent for the conversion of natural habitat into agricultural land. With this in mind, I find it difficult to believe that farming supports biodiversity.
I agree that farmers are important managers of the landscape but agriculture is a business and thus their motives are always going to bias. The key now is to ensure that the remaining fragments of semi-natural habitats that exist in the agrarian landscape (such as hedgerows) are responsibly managed to ensure that the future is bright for both biodiversity and agriculture.
Hi Rachel,
DeleteYou are very right to say that the importance of traditional farming, with more extensive forms of land management, is stressed within the study. As I allude to above I think it is important that this is recognised, and that widespread agricultural intensification is discouraged wherever possible.
In terms of the UK, I am not trying to suggest that animals such as the fox and rabbit are totally reliant on farmland (far from it when you think of urban foxes!), but more that agrarian landscapes provide a habitat that these incredibly adaptable species have occupied and thrived within. Farmland has become an important habitat in underpinning certain species’ success (the brown hare, for example), and in this sense supports these species. Agriculture covers around 70% of the UK’s land area, and so farmland is a vital habitat for UK biodiversity. As you say yourself, agrarian habitats such as hedgerows are important for biodiversity, and provide a prime example of how good agricultural management can support biodiversity.
Habitat loss is a severe threat to many species, and as I have discussed in one of my previous posts (‘The Not So Green Revolution’) land-use change for agricultural production is damaging. Yet, this does not mean that there aren’t species that actively thrive under certain forms of agricultural management. What should be stressed is that a lot of contemporary habitat conversion is to intensive forms of agriculture, and as I have said if agriculture is to support biodiversity this form of management should be discouraged.
The study I refer to in this post provides at least 30 examples of agricultural land supporting species. Certain agricultural practices can even promote biodiversity and the populations of specific species beyond levels of other habitats. One such example I can draw upon are ground beetles called Carabids, which have been found in higher abundances on farmland than ‘natural’ habitats. So I think the facts show that, when managed appropriately, agricultural landscapes have the ability to support biodiversity. This does not mean that we should continue the widespread conversion of natural habitats for agricultural production, but we should recognise the practices that support biodiversity and employ them across all agricultural systems.