Identification of arable farmland bird indicator species

Abstract

Indicator species are commonly used as a measure of ecosystem health, however, the indicator species selection process often lacks scientific justification. Drawing on data collected through the FRAMEwork project on Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster, England, we identify potential farmland bird indicators and evaluate their suitability across a range of bird community measures. Initial findings reveal that specific species can be used as indicators of specialist farmland bird abundance, total bird abundance and diversity. However, no single species effectively represents both farmland bird specialists and total bird abundance. These results establish the basis for a novice-friendly farmland breeding bird monitoring scheme.