A five year study, concluding in a report called Enhancing Arable Biodiversity, has pinpointed six techniques to encourage arable wildlife, and thus assist in the reversal of declining species like skylarks and yellowhammers. SAFFIE - Sustainable Arable Farming For an Improved Environment, which includes 21 farming, environment and research groups says farmer's profits wouldn't suffer providing the government gives them the right support.
James Clarke, SAFFIE Project Director, said: 'More than 20 per cent of farmland is arable and half of that is used for autumn-sown crops, which means fields and margins in summer can be too dense for birds seeking nesting sites and food for their young.
'Winter cereals are important for food and biofuels. The measures suggested by the SAFFIE research could enhance farmland biodiversity and are compatible with modern arable farming. This is a real opportunity for the government to meet its targets for reversing the decline of farmland birds. It's about providing bed and breakfast for farmland birds.'
The SAFFIE project, costing £3.5m, was based on 36 farms in England and Scotland. It found that skylark numbers increased by three or four fold where the arable fields had some small bare patches, and strips of plants and wild flowers along the edges. The diversity of plants, plus the open spaces encourage beetles which are an important food source for young birds.
Graham Wynne, RSPB Chief Executive, said: 'Measures for wildlife can be used by farmers without harming a farm's profits. The recommendations SAFFIE is making could make an enormous contribution to helping farmland species recover their numbers and making rural businesses more sustainable. We very much hope the government and Natural England will take these proposals on board.'
[via RSPB]
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes