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The lapwing as a flagship species: Implementation of a conservation project to foster lapwing populations in agricultural landscapes

Project

Production processes

This project contributes to the research aim 'Production processes'. Which funding institutions are active for this aim? What are the sub-aims? Take a look:
Production processes


Project code: TI-LR-08-PID1669
Contract period: 01.08.2014 - 30.08.2019
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment

In the 1950s, the lapwing was a very common species in German agricultural landscapes. Since then, its population has undergone a steep decline. Which agri-environmental measures can help the lapwing to breed and successfully reproduce on arable fields? Within the Federal Program for Biological Diversity (Bundesprogramme biologische Vielfalt) the lapwing is designated as one of the animal species for which conservation in Germany has taken particular responsibility. The lapwing is a typical meadow-breeder and was once common to wet grasslands. In the course of the past decades, the agricultural use of many meadows and pastures has been intensified (shorter mowing intervals, higher stocking rates, denser and more productive swards). This intensification of grassland management reduces the likelihood for nests and chicks to survive. In some regions of Germany, arable fields have become the most important breeding sites of the lapwing. The species is bound to open sites with short vegetation periods. For this reason, the lapwing frequently breeds on fields with spring-sown crops (in particular sugar beet and maize). So far, however, little is known of the determinants of nest site selection and breeding on arable fields. In the framework of this project, we intend to shed light on the factors determining the successful reproduction of the lapwing on arable fields. Based on the knowledge gained, we aim at developing cropping-system specific measures that enhance the breeding success of the lapwing on arable fields. In eight project regions located in six federal states of Germany we conduct scientific research on the present lapwing populations. In close cooperation with local farmers we test integrated measures of lapwing protection and evaluate their efficiency and practicability. The Thünen Institute of Rural Studies coordinates the project implementation in the Braunschweig region. We aim to identify the factors that foster the local lapwing populations on arable fields, in particular in sugar beet. For this purpose we analyze farm-specific data on the cropping system: What are the characteristics of crop production systems on those arable fields where the lapwing breeds? We additionally evaluate the farmers’ approval of measures for lapwing protection. Moreover, we estimate the efficiency and effectivity of the tested measures at the national scale. First results 2015 lapwing project In 2014 and 2015 we recorded lapwings in the Braunschweig area. Furthermore we tested measures to protect the nests and additional area-related protection measures. With these measures we aim to improve the quality of lapwing habitats on arable land. The lapwing inhabits open land; it prefers areas with a good paramount view. The degree of soil coverage and the height of vegetation at the beginning of the breeding season (end of March/beginning of April) are decisive for the area’s suitability as a habitat for breeding. In addition, lapwings prefer the proximity to wet spots and small waterbodies. In the Braunschweig area, sugar beet is an important habitat for breeding: we found about half of the registered clutches in sugar beet fields. About one quarter of the nests were located in maize fields. According to our first results, cultivation of sugar beet is relatively unproblematic for the lapwing. This is because the cultivation measures in spring and the resulting properties of the field match relatively well with the lapwing’s needs. The cultivation of fields is done in early April, or - if the weather is mild - already in March. Thus the mechanical measures are usually finished before the beginning of the lapwing’s breeding season and there is enough time left for recurrent clutches. If there is no mechanic weed control after seeding, almost no nests are lost in sugar beet fields. On several sugar beet fields without any protection measures, 1.5 to 2 chicks fledged per breeding pair. To conserve the species in the long run, 0.6 to 0.8 chicks have to fledge per year and pair. The situation is different with maize, because of the later seeding (mid to end of April). For maize we identified a hatching success of only about 15%. But loss of nests that result from cultivation measures can effectively be prevented by marking these nests. The measures to improve habitat quality showed different degrees of success. We could neither create the desired vegetation structure by harrowing ley nor by seeding summer cereals with a doubled distance between rows. We also did not have success with “lapwing isles” that were not seeded with a grass-clover mixture. But with a “green lapwing isle“ – an isle where a grass clover mixture was seeded late in March - we were able to control the vegetation structure and -composition comparatively well. We will resume these first positive experiences in the coming years.

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Framework programme

BMEL Frameworkprogramme 2008

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