Newsroom / CNA
A recent study across Europe shows a sharp drop in birds that depend on farmland and open landscapes. Researchers examined 43 species linked to these environments and found that 77 percent have become less common over the past ten years. This decline is tied to falling population numbers and could affect ecosystems, since these birds help control pests, spread seeds, and signal environmental conditions.
The project brought together scientists, field observers, and monitoring groups from across the continent, coordinated by the European Bird Census Council. By combining large datasets with modelling techniques, the team produced detailed maps showing where species are increasing, stable, or declining. These maps can be updated often and are intended to support conservation and land management decisions.
The strongest declines were recorded in regions such as the Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy, and parts of central Europe including Poland and the Czech Republic. In southwestern Europe, several farmland species have clearly decreased. These include the stone curlew, the woodchat shrike, and the black eared wheatear. The wheatear in particular has shown a measurable drop in its likelihood of occurring across Europe within a decade.
Some species show local improvements despite the overall pattern. The European roller, for example, has increased in certain areas of northeastern Spain. Researchers suggest this may be linked to targeted conservation efforts.
The study did not directly test causes, but it points to several likely factors. Intensive agriculture and chemical use can reduce food sources and habitat quality. Abandonment of rural land allows forests to expand into open areas, pushing out species that depend on farmland. Extreme weather such as heavy rainfall can damage nests, while rising temperatures may make southern regions less suitable for some birds.
The analysis is based on data from the Pan European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme, which gathers standardized observations across Europe. The dataset provides fine detail at a 10 by 10 kilometer scale, allowing scientists to detect local changes. The comparison focused on two time periods, from 2013 to 2017 and from 2018 to 2022.
These findings are already being used to guide conservation work. Updated data is helping reassess the status of the southern grey shrike, which appears close to being classified as threatened due to continued decline in key areas. Another example is the European turtle dove, which had been decreasing but has recently shown improvement after a temporary hunting ban introduced by the European Union. The new mapping method will help track whether this recovery continues.
Read the original study HERE.
