Ground-nesting bird populations are more likely to be in decline than any other European bird species, finds a recent study involving the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Barry McMahon, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science found ground-nesting bird populations are more likely to be in decline than any other European bird species, with 74% showing evidence of a long-term drop in numbers.
The assumption is that ground nesting birds are at greater risk of predation. These findings highlight the potential role for predator management in achieving conservation objectives, and points towards possible effects of different habitat management strategies within agricultural systems and elsewhere in Britain, Ireland and Europe.
(opens in a new window)Dr Barry McMahon is a Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation & Zoonotic Epidemiology in the UCD School of Agriculture & Food in 2011 and is the Programme Director for the (opens in a new window)MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management.
Review the original paper below and an associated article published in "Science for Environment Policy"