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Contribution of organic farming to conserving and improving biodiversity in Germany – the example avi-fauna

Rahmann, Gerold; Paulsen, Hans-Marten; Hötker, Hermann; Jeromin, Knut; Schrader, Stefan; Haneklaus, Silvia and Schnug, Ewald (2006) Contribution of organic farming to conserving and improving biodiversity in Germany – the example avi-fauna. In: Atkinson, Chris and Younie, David (Eds.) What will organic farming deliver?, AAB Office, Warwick, UK, Aspects of Applied Biology, no. 79, p. 187.

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Summary

Although it is the aim of organic farming to increase biodiversity, there is little knowledge about the impact of organic farming on birds. From 2001 to 2003, the number of breeding birds was recorded annually on the organic experimental farm of the Institute of Organic Farming (600 ha), and on adjacent conventional and organic farms (60 ha and 40 ha) in Northern Germany.
The number of skylark (Alauda arvensis) territories increased considerably after the conversion from conventional to organic farming on the premises of the Institute. Their number remained unvaried on the conventional farm. The highest density of skylark territories was found on the farm which has been under organic management for many years. The number of yellowhammer (Emberiza citronella) territories fluctuated largely in relation to the availability of field margin strips, both on conventional and organic land. During the breeding season aerial hunters (swallows and swifts) and raptors significantly preferred organic fields. Outside the breeding season, densities of raptors (in autumn and in winter), seed-eating birds (in autumn) and insect-eating birds (in autumn) were significantly higher on organic than on conventional fields.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Keywords:skylark, swallow, swift, yellowhammer, farm management system
Subjects: Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Research affiliation: Germany > Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries - VTI > Institute of Organic Farming - OEL
Germany > Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants - JKI > Institute for Crop and Soil Science
Deposited By: Rahmann, Prof. Dr. Gerold
ID Code:9307
Deposited On:27 Sep 2006
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:34
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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