[MPWG] ARTICLE: Small, diversified farms in New England provide conservation opportunities for shrubland birds

[Park, Margaret E]

*USDA-NRCS, Conservation Insight, October 2021

*Summary


  *   Small, diversified agricultural operations provide similar bird conservation value as other habitats recognized as important contributors to shrubland bird conservation in New England.

  *   Fifty-two percent of birds encountered on small, diversified farms in New England were shrubland species.

  *   Certain shrubland species were positively associated with open-habitat characteristics such as herbaceous vegetation and cover crops on farms, while others preferred greater coverage of tall, dense, shrub and woodland habitat as well as smaller field sizes.

  *   Most bird species considered crop pests were associated with bare ground, herbaceous rowcrops and larger field sizes.

  *   Farms complement other shrubland habitat types by supporting shrubland species that prefer open-habitat characteristics.

  *   Farmers can promote bird conservation on their farms, while also reducing numbers of pest bird species, by reducing field sizes, providing tall, dense vegetation in non-production areas and increasing cover of hedgerows, shrub, and woodland habitats

*Link to article: https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/7538599/PDF
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