Agriculture has a responsibility for bird conservation

Like in most European countries, the pressure on biodiversity in Switzerland is particularly intense in agricultural habitats. Many species have declined significantly since the 1950s, and so the number of farmland breeding birds on the Red List is particularly high. Great Grey Shrike and Woodchat Shrike, two typical farmland species, have gone completely, and Grey Partridge and Ortolan Bunting are on the verge of disappearing.

Biodiversity promotion areas

In the past decades, the federal government has made several instruments available to stop the decline and pave the way for positive trends. Since the 1990s, farmers have received direct payments only if they adhere to certain ecological requirements. These regulations require farmers to allocate at least 7 % of farmland to biodiversity promotion areas (for special crops such as wine or vegetable growing the requirement is only 3.5 %). These are areas managed at low intensity to promote species diversity. They most frequently consist of low-intensity meadows (no fertiliser, late mowing), traditional orchards, and hedgerows. Biodiversity promotion areas are classified into two quality levels determined either by the occurrence of certain indicator plants (e.g. in the case of low-intensity meadows) or by habitat structures (e.g. in the case of traditional orchards and hedgerows). Farmers receive direct payments for designating biodiversity promotion areas. Since 2000, they can earn additional subsidies if they establish these areas according to a regional concept. These habitat connectivity projects define quantitative targets regarding the number and quality of the various types of biodiversity areas. In 2016, farmers on average registered 17.6 % of their farmland as biodiversity promotion areas. On the Central Plateau, this corresponds to 20 000 ha of high-quality sites (quality level II plus wildflower plots and rotational fallows). However, back in 1995, the Swiss Landscape Concept declared a target of 65 000 ha of high-quality habitats on the Central Plateau. That means that two thirds of the desired high-quality areas are still missing today.

Distribution in 2013–2016 of 47 breeding bird species included in the “Environmental Objectives in Agriculture” (EOA). The map combines all species maps.

Typical farmland species under pressure

The objective of biodiversity promotion areas is to enhance species diversity. The farmland species selected for special protection are listed in the federal government’s «Environmental Objectives in Agriculture» (EOA). Among breeding birds, 29 species are classified as target species and 18 as characteristic species. Target species populations are to be conserved and promoted in their natural area of distribution – the efforts thus focus on direct conservation measures. The populations of characteristic species are to be supported by providing sufficiently large and well-distributed areas of suitable, high-quality habitat. Characteristic species are thus considered representatives of an ecological community.

The combined distribution map of all EOA species in 2013–2016 shows that the largest number of species are found in the western part of the Central Plateau, especially in the Champagne genevoise and the Seeland BE/FR. Biodiversity promotion areas have repeatedly been proven to have a positive impact on local biodiversity. Birds also benefit, especially from high-quality areas. While certain species such as Red Kite, Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel and Common Stonechat have increased in large parts of the country since 1990, there has been an overall decline of EOA species since 1993–1996, as the map illustrating occurrence change since 1993–1996 shows. Gains have only been recorded in certain locations, such as the Orbe plain VD and the Ajoie JU. Interestingly, positive changes have also been reported in farmland areas that have undergone extensive ecological restorations in the past decades, such as the Geneva region, the Seeland and the Klettgau SH. Species that benefit from such measures include Common Whitethroat, Stonechat, Red-backed Shrike and Yellowhammer. In contrast, the occurrence change maps show that ecologically enhanced grassland areas (e.g. Wauwiler Ebene LU or the Rhine Valley in the Canton of St. Gallen) do only slightly better than the surrounding areas.

In Switzerland, farmland birds are among the most vulnerable species: distribution change since 1993–1996 of EOA species. The map is a combination of distribution change maps for 35 species (not including Corncrake, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Common Barn-owl, Eurasian Scops-owl, Northern Long-eared Owl, Common Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Marsh Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, Western Yellow Wagtail and Ortolan Bunting, for which no maps are available).

Further efforts are necessary

Species concerned

Common Whitethroat

Yellowhammer

Eurasian Green Woodpecker

Red-backed Shrike

Ortolan Bunting

Great Grey Shrike

Grey Partridge

Woodchat Shrike

Red Kite

Common Stonechat

Common Kestrel

Recommended citation of the Atlas online:
Knaus, P., S. Antoniazza, S. Wechsler, J. Guélat, M. Kéry, N. Strebel & T. Sattler (2018): Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016. Distribution and population trends of birds in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach.

References

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BAFU & BLW (2008): Umweltziele Landwirtschaft. Hergeleitet aus bestehenden rechtlichen Grundlagen. Umwelt-Wissen Nr. 0820. Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) und Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (BLW), Bern.

Birrer, S., M. Jenny, F. Korner-Nievergelt, K. Meichtry-Stier, L. Pfiffner, J. Zellweger-Fischer & J.-L. Zollinger (2013a): Ökologische Vorrangflächen fördern Kulturlandvögel. Julius Kühn-Archiv 442: 138–150.

Birrer, S., P. Mosimann-Kampe, M. Nuber, S. Strebel & N. Zbinden (2013b): Ökologischer Ausgleich und Brutvögel – das Beispiel Grosses Moos 1997-2009. Ornithol. Beob. 110: 475–494.

Birrer, S., P. Mosimann-Kampe & S. Strebel (2016): Brutvogelmonitoring Grosses Moos. Bericht 2016. Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach.

Birrer, S. & R. Oppermann (2012): Recreating HNV farmland and improving nature value – farmers taking over new challenges in central Europe. S. 484–490 in: R. Oppermann, G. Beaufoy & G. Jones (Hrsg.): High nature value farming in Europe. Verlag Regionalkultur, Ubstadt-Weiher.

BLW (2016): Agrarbericht 2016. Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (BLW), Bern.

BUWAL (1995): Landschaftskonzept Schweiz. Methodische Aspekte. Bundesamt für Umwelt, Wald und Landschaft (BUWAL), Bern.

Graf, R. (2016): Wauwiler Ebene: Zweijahresbericht 2014–2015. Mit integriertem Bericht aus dem Naturschutzgebiet Wauwilermoos. Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach.

Graf, R. (2017): Wauwiler Ebene – Ein Vernetzungsprojekt trägt Früchte. Heimatkunde des Wiggertals 74: 21–29.

Herzog, F., T. Walter, S. Aviron, S. Birrer, S. Buholzer, J. Derron, S. Dreier, P. Duelli, L. Eggenschwiler, S. Hoechstetter, O. Holzgang, P. Jeanneret, D. Kampmann, E. Knop, L. Kohli, H. Luka, S. Pearson, L. Pfiffner, S. Pozzi, O. Roux, B. Schüpbach & M. Spiess (2005): Wirkung der ökologischen Ausgleichsflächen auf Biodiversität und Landschaft. Schr.reihe FAL 56: 185–201.

Jenny, M., U. Weibel, B. Lugrin, B. Josephy, J.-L. Regamey & N. Zbinden (2002a): Perdrix grise. Rapport final 1991-2000. Cahier de l’environnement n° 335. Office fédéral de l’environnement, des forêts et du paysage (OFEFP), Berne.

Jenny, M., U. Weibel, B. Lugrin, B. Josephy, J.-L. Regamey & N. Zbinden (2002b): Rebhuhn. Schlussbericht 1991-2000. Schriftenreihe Umwelt Nr. 335. Bundesamt für Umwelt, Wald und Landschaft (BUWAL), Bern.

Kampmann, D., A. Lüscher, W. Konold & F. Herzog (2012): Agri-environment scheme protects diversity of mountain grassland species. Land Use Policy 29: 569–576.

Keller, V., A. Gerber, H. Schmid, B. Volet & N. Zbinden (2010): Rote Liste Brutvögel. Gefährdete Arten der Schweiz, Stand 2010. Umwelt-Vollzug Nr. 1019. Bundesamt für Umwelt, Bern, und Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach.

Keller, V., A. Gerber, H. Schmid, B. Volet & N. Zbinden (2010): Liste rouge oiseaux nicheurs. Espèces menacées en Suisse, état 2010. L’environnement pratique n° 1019. Office fédéral de l’environnement, Berne, et Station ornithologique suisse, Sempach.

Keller, V., A. Gerber, H. Schmid, B. Volet & N. Zbinden (2010): Lista Rossa Uccelli nidificanti. Specie minacciate in Svizzera, stato 2010. Pratica ambientale n. 1019. Ufficio federale dell’ambiente, Berna, e Stazione ornitologica svizzera, Sempach.

Martinez, N. & S. Birrer (2017): Entwicklung ausgewählter Vogelarten im Landwirtschaftsgebiet des Kantons Basel-Landschaft. Ornithol. Beob. 114: 161–178.

Martinez, N., T. Roth, V. Moser, G. Oesterhelt, B. Pfarr Gambke, P. Richterich, T. B. Tschopp, M. Spiess & S. Birrer (2017): Bestandsentwicklung von Brutvögeln in der Reinacher Ebene (Kanton Basel-Landschaft) von 1997 bis 2016. Ornithol. Beob. 114: 257–274.

Meichtry-Stier, K. S., M. Jenny, J. Zellweger-Fischer & S. Birrer (2014): Impact of landscape improvement by agri-environment scheme options on densities of characteristic farmland bird species and brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 189: 101–109.

OFAG (2016): Rapport agricole 2016. Office fédéral de l’agriculture (OFAG), Berne.

OFEV & OFAG (2008): Objectifs environnementaux pour l’agriculture. A partir de bases légales existantes. Connaissance de l’environnement n° 0820. Office fédéral de l’environnement (OFEV) et Office fédéral de l’agriculture (OFAG), Berne.

Roth, T., V. Amrhein, B. Peter & D. Weber (2008): A Swiss agri-environment scheme effectively enhances species richness for some taxa over time. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 125: 167–172.

Rudin, M., P. Horch, I. Hugentobler, U. Weber & S. Birrer (2010): Bestandsentwicklung von Brutvögeln im ökologisch aufgewerteten St. Galler Rheintal. Ornithol. Beob. 107: 81–100.

UFAG (2016): Rapporto agricolo 2016. Ufficio federale dell’agricoltura (UFAG), Berna.

Zellweger-Fischer, J., J. Hoffmann, P. Korner-Nievergelt, L. Pfiffner, S. Stoeckli & S. Birrer (2018): Identifying factors that influence bird richness and abundance on farms. Bird Study 65, doi: 10.1080/00063657.2018.1446903.

Zollinger, J.-L. (2017): Une jachère florale très âgée: un cas d’école. Nos Oiseaux 64: 111–119.

Zollinger, J.-L., S. Birrer, N. Zbinden & F. Korner-Nievergelt (2013): The optimal age of sown field margins for breeding farmland birds. Ibis 155: 779–791.

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