A large-scale study based on data from 28 European countries shows that in some areas bird numbers have declined by 60% over the past four decades, with “flying birds” in agricultural areas most affected. Global warming played a significant role, but even more important was the rise of intensive agriculture. The environment is becoming more and more hostile.

Several studies have shown that the number of birds in the wild has declined dramatically in recent decades due to human activities. Now, a study in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) provides full data and an explanation for the steep decline in Europe.

It is estimated that an average of 20 million birds have disappeared each year over the past 40 years. Compared to 37 years ago, the total number of species decreased by 25%.

Several ecosystems were much more affected: the number of birds in agricultural lands decreased by 57%, the number of birds in cities – by 28%, the number of birds in forests – by 18%.

Data from 20 locations in 28 countries for 170 species over the past 37 years were used.

The main reason for the decline is intensive agriculture, where a lot of pesticides and fertilizers are used, the result of which is that in these agricultural areas the birds can no longer live because they no longer have a place to build their nests and they have nothing to eat.

The expansion of cities has led to the disappearance of tens of millions of birds, because many green spaces have disappeared, and the birds have lost their habitat and do not have enough food.

More and more areas are becoming hostile to birds: for example, there is more and more concrete in cities and the number of insects that birds eat has decreased dramatically.

Climate change has also had a major impact, with populations of some species declining in northern Europe, where temperatures have risen and the environment has also become more hostile.

The study, by PNAS, is titled “Farmland Practices Decline Bird Populations in Europe.”

Sources: AFP, Guardian, Le Monde