A1 Journal article (refereed)
Benefits of the European Agri-Environment Schemes for Wintering Lapwings : A Case Study from Rice Fields in the Mediterranean Region (2020)


Fraixedas, S., Burgas, D., Robson, D., Camps, J., & Barriocanal, C. (2020). Benefits of the European Agri-Environment Schemes for Wintering Lapwings : A Case Study from Rice Fields in the Mediterranean Region. Waterbirds, 43(1), 86-93. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.043.0109


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsFraixedas, Sara; Burgas, Daniel; Robson, David; Camps, Joachim; Barriocanal, Carles

Journal or seriesWaterbirds

ISSN1938-5390

eISSN1524-4695

Publication year2020

Volume43

Issue number1

Pages range86-93

PublisherWaterbird Society

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1675/063.043.0109

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/70171


Abstract

Mediterranean European rice fields provide important habitats for migrating waterbirds. In winter, one waterbird species that particularly benefits from rice fields is the Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), a species threatened in Europe. To assess the effect of agri-environmental measures on rice field selection and use by wintering lapwings, bird counts were conducted in northeastern Spain during two consecutive winters (2005-2006 and 2006-2007). Information on two mandatory post-harvest management prescriptions of the agri-environment schemes was collected, namely winter flooding (percent ground surface covered by water) and whether fields were rolled or not. The number of lapwings in rolled fields was significantly higher compared to non-rolled fields. For instance, an average rolled field with 50% water cover (percentage at which lapwing abundance more or less peaked) would host an estimated 12.03 ± 0.52 SE lapwings versus 0.18 ± 0.58 in a non-rolled field. While the maximum abundance of lapwings in rolled fields was found at an intermediate percentage of water cover (about 25 to 75%), the number of lapwings increased steadily with water cover in non-rolled fields. Rice post-harvest practices derived from the agri-environment schemes are beneficial for biodiversity, promoting the conservation of suitable habitats for waterbirds.


Keywordsmigratory birdswater birdsVanellus vanelluswinteringhabitatagricultural environmentenvironmental managementfields (agriculture)rice

Free keywordsagri-environmental measures; Lapwing; Mediterranean; post-harvest management; rice; waterbirds


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2020

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:18