A new study published in Science by researchers from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Ohio State University reveals that intensive agriculture is accelerating the decline of bird populations in North America. Analyzing 35 years of data from 1,033 monitoring routes across the United States and Canada, scientists studied 261 bird species and found that 47% have experienced significant population declines.The research shows that half of the declining species are now experiencing faster year-to-year decreases, particularly in regions with highly intensive farming. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and large-scale monocultures is believed to reduce food sources and habitats for birds. Researchers warn that similar trends could also affect Europe, where farmland bird populations have already dropped significantly in recent decades.
Source: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU)
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