Population trends of farmland birds in Sweden and England:: similar trends but different patterns of agricultural intensification

1. Studies, mainly from the UK, show that many farmland birds have declined as a result of recent agricultural intensification. We tested this idea by analysing farmland bird population trends in Sweden, a country displaying less dramatic agricultural changes and less intensive agriculture. Specifically we investigated whether (i) farmland specialists have declined more than generalists, (ii) population declines in Sweden are less marked than in England and (iii) Swedish population trends are associated with changes in the amount of autumn-sown crops, and inputs of pesticides and fertilizers. 2. Data on population trends for 21 farmland bird species collected from the Swedish Breeding Bird Survey 1976-2001 were analysed in relation to agricultural changes in Sweden. 3. Fifteen (71%) farmland bird species declined significantly in number (P < 0.05) over the 26 years. Farmland specialists displayed a significantly stronger average decline (55%) as a group than farmland generalists (7%). For seven species the declines were significantly steeper between 1976 and 1988 than between 1988 and 2001. 4. Farmland bird populations have declined at least as much in Sweden as in England. Several specialist species displayed similar temporal patterns in population change in both countries. 5. The area of autumn-sown crops has remained stable in Sweden, whereas use of pesticides and fertilizers has declined. There are no clear associations between these factors and observed farmland bird population declines. 6. The similarities in bird population trends in Sweden and England, despite large differences in patterns of agricultural change in Sweden and England, may be explained by: (i) common wintering grounds, (ii) similar negative effects of agricultural intensification (England) and intensification/abandonment (Sweden) and (iii) a simultaneous loss of landscape heterogeneity. 7. Synthesis and applications. Farmland birds in Sweden have declined by at least as much as in England, despite clear differences between the two countries in the degree of agricultural intensification over the last 30 years. We suggest that the marked declines in Swedish populations are caused by (i) the dual negative effects of intensification and abandonment of farmland at breeding grounds, and (ii) Swedish populations partly sharing wintering grounds with English populations. We conclude that agri-environmental schemes need to be flexible enough to address the negative effects both of intensification and the abandonment of farming. In addition, our results emphasize that farmland bird conservation is an issue without country borders.