Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The species and functional diversity of birds in almond orchards, apple orchards, vineyards and eucalypt woodlots

Gary W. Luck A C , Kelly Hunt A and Andrew Carter A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.

B Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Suite 5, 280 Hay Street, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: galuck@csu.edu.au

Emu 115(2) 99-109 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU14022
Submitted: 28 February 2014  Accepted: 15 December 2014   Published: 10 April 2015

Abstract

Agriculture is the predominant land use in Australia. Yet, there is limited knowledge of which bird species use particular agricultural crops and the implications this has for crop damage or the provision of ecosystem services. We measured species and functional diversity of bird communities in almond and apple orchards, vineyards and eucalypt woodlots. Mean bird species richness was highest in almond orchards and eucalypt woodlots and lowest in vineyards. Species diversity was highest in almond orchards, but similar among the other land uses. Bird community composition clearly differed among land uses, indicating the need to treat particular crop types as different ‘habitats’. The functional diversity of bird communities differed across land uses dependent on the functional traits and metric used to calculate diversity. Eucalypt woodlots had the highest functional richness of bird reproductive traits, whereas the highest richness of bird foraging traits was recorded in almond orchards. Importantly, increasing land-use intensification did not reduce functional diversity in a consistent way. Bird species that may damage crops or help control crop pests were common across land uses. Moreover, we recorded large numbers of the threatened eastern subspecies of the Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) in almond orchards. Future management of Australian agro-ecosystems should find an appropriate balance between bird conservation, limiting costs from bird damage, and promoting the provision of ecosystem services by birds.

Additional keywords: agriculture, crop damage, ecosystem services, farmland, functional traits, horticulture.


References

ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences) (2010). Land use in Australia – at a glance. Available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/aclump/Documents/Land_use_in_Australia_at_a_glance_2006.pdf [accessed 12 April 2013].

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2006). National regional profile: Greater Shepparton (C) (Local Government Area). Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@nrp.nsf/781eb7868cee03e9ca2571800082bece/31fa9cc4c0eda0ceca2577d5000cd9f1!OpenDocument [accessed 21 August 2013].

Arnold, G. W. (2003). Bird species richness and abundance in wandoo woodland and in tree plantations on farmland at Bakers Hill, Western Australia. Emu 103, 259–269.
Bird species richness and abundance in wandoo woodland and in tree plantations on farmland at Bakers Hill, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Avery, M. L. (1984). Relative importance of taste and vision in reducing bird damage to crops with methiocarb, a chemical repellent. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 11, 299–308.
Relative importance of taste and vision in reducing bird damage to crops with methiocarb, a chemical repellent.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXht1Ogs7s%3D&md5=e162456a669f5a38a5f9fc86b97cd71aCAS |

Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J., Fischer, J., Manning, A., McElhinny, C., and Zakaria, M. (2011). The conservation value of oil palm plantation estates, smallholdings and logged peat swamp forest for birds. Forest Ecology and Management 262, 2306–2315.
The conservation value of oil palm plantation estates, smallholdings and logged peat swamp forest for birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bailey, P., and Smith, G. (1979). Methiocarb as a bird repellent on wine grapes. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 19, 247–250.
Methiocarb as a bird repellent on wine grapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXktlCjtLw%3D&md5=15ad0c59a3c9957744f6ac2d9bab8887CAS |

Baines, D., Warren, P., and Calladine, J. (2002). Spatial and temporal differences in the abundance of black grouse and other moorland birds in relation to reductions in sheep grazing. Aspects of Applied Biology 67, 245–252.

Baker-Gabb, D., and Hurley, V. G. (2011). National recovery plan for the Regent Parrot (eastern subspecies) Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

Barrett, G. W., Freudenberger, D., Drew, A., Stol, J., Nicholls, A. O., and Cawsey, E. M. (2008). Colonisation of native tree and shrub plantings by woodland birds in an agricultural landscape. Wildlife Research 35, 19–32.
Colonisation of native tree and shrub plantings by woodland birds in an agricultural landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Best, L. B., Camp, M., Dinsmore, J. J., and Freemark, K. E. (1995). A review and synthesis of habitat use by breeding birds in agricultural landscapes of Iowa. American Midland Naturalist 134, 1–29.
A review and synthesis of habitat use by breeding birds in agricultural landscapes of Iowa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2013a). Climate data online: Robinvale. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_076077.shtml [accessed 15 August 2013].

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2013b). Climate data online: Shepparton. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_081125.shtml [accessed 15 August 2013].

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2013c). Climate data online: Wangaratta. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_082053.shtml [accessed 15 August 2013].

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2013d). Climate data online: Rutherglen. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_082039.shtml [accessed 15 August 2013].

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2013e). Climate data online: Chiltern. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_082039.shtml [accessed 12 August 2013].

Bomford, M., and Sinclair, R. (2002). Australian research on bird pests: impact, management and future directions. Emu 102, 29–45.
Australian research on bird pests: impact, management and future directions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bridle, K., Fitzgerald, M., Green, D., Smith, J., McQuillan, P., and Lefroy, T. (2009). Relationships between site characteristics, farming system and biodiversity on Australian mixed farms. Animal Production Science 49, 869–882.
Relationships between site characteristics, farming system and biodiversity on Australian mixed farms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Buckland, S. T., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Laake, J. L., Borchers, D. L., and Thomas, L. (2001). ‘Introduction to Distance Sampling.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford.)

Butler, S. J., Vickery, J. A., and Norris, K. (2007). Farmland biodiversity and the footprint of agriculture. Science 315, 381–384.
Farmland biodiversity and the footprint of agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXmt1Knsw%3D%3D&md5=ee8f1be34871a677f1619dc2996bbed9CAS | 17234947PubMed |

Cadotte, M. W., Carscadden, K., and Mirotchnick, N. (2011). Beyond species: functional diversity and the maintenance of ecological processes and services. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 1079–1087.
Beyond species: functional diversity and the maintenance of ecological processes and services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Casanoves, F., Pla, L., Di Rienzo, J. A., and Diaz, S. (2011). FDiversity: a software package for the integrated analysis of functional diversity. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 2, 233–237.
FDiversity: a software package for the integrated analysis of functional diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chao, A. (1987). Estimating the population size for capture–recapture data with unequal catchability. Biometrics 43, 783–791.
Estimating the population size for capture–recapture data with unequal catchability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL1c7gsl2qsw%3D%3D&md5=8903f666b39b155ade107d1cb91d8fd1CAS | 3427163PubMed |

Chapman, T. F. (2007). An endangered species that is also a pest: a case study of Baudin’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii and the pome fruit industry in south-west Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 90, 33–40.

Clarke, K. R., and Gorley, R. N. (2006). ‘PRIMER v6: User Manual/Tutorial.’ (PRIMER-E: Plymouth, UK.)

Collard, S., Le Brocque, A., and Zammit, C. (2009). Bird assemblages in fragmented agricultural landscapes: the role of small brigalow remnants and adjoining land uses. Biodiversity and Conservation 18, 1649–1670.
Bird assemblages in fragmented agricultural landscapes: the role of small brigalow remnants and adjoining land uses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Colwell, R. K. (2013). EstimateS: statistical estimation of species richness and shared species from samples. Version 9. User’s guide and application. Available at: http://purl.oclc.org/estimates

Cunningham, R. B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Crane, M., Michael, D., MacGregor, C., Montague-Drake, R., and Fischer, J. (2008). The combined effects of remnant vegetation and tree planting on farmland birds. Conservation Biology 22, 742–752.
The combined effects of remnant vegetation and tree planting on farmland birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18477028PubMed |

Curry, G. N. (1991). The influence of proximity to plantation edge on diversity and abundance of bird species in an exotic pine plantation in north-eastern New South Wales. Wildlife Research 18, 299–314.
The influence of proximity to plantation edge on diversity and abundance of bird species in an exotic pine plantation in north-eastern New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Daily, G. C., Ehrlich, P. R., and Sanchez-Azofeifa, A. (2001). Countryside biogeography: use of human dominated habitats by the avifauna of southern Costa Rica. Ecological Applications 11, 1–13.
Countryside biogeography: use of human dominated habitats by the avifauna of southern Costa Rica.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Department of Primary Industries (2013). Pests, diseases and disorders in horticultural crops. Available at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/pests-diseases-hort [accessed 21 October 2013].

Fischer, J., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (2002). The conservation value of paddock trees for birds in a variegated landscape in southern New South Wales. 1. Species composition and site occupancy patterns. Biodiversity and Conservation 11, 807–832.
The conservation value of paddock trees for birds in a variegated landscape in southern New South Wales. 1. Species composition and site occupancy patterns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fischer, J., Lindenmayer, D. B., Blomberg, S. P., Montague-Drake, R., Felton, A., and Stein, J. A. (2007). Functional richness and relative resilience of bird communities in regions with different land use intensities. Ecosystems 10, 964–974.
Functional richness and relative resilience of bird communities in regions with different land use intensities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Flynn, D. F. B., Gogol-Prokurat, M., Nogeire, T., Molinari, N., Richters, B. T., Lin, B. B., Simpson, N., Mayfield, M. M., and DeClerck, F. (2009). Loss of functional diversity under land use intensification across multiple taxa. Ecology Letters 12, 22–33.
Loss of functional diversity under land use intensification across multiple taxa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Green, R. E., Osborne, P. E., and Sears, E. J. (1994). The distribution of passerine birds in hedgerows during the breeding season in relation to characteristics of the hedgerow and adjacent farmland. Journal of Applied Ecology 31, 677–692.
The distribution of passerine birds in hedgerows during the breeding season in relation to characteristics of the hedgerow and adjacent farmland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hannah, D., Woinarski, J. C. Z., Catterall, C. P., McCosker, J. C., Thurgate, N. Y., and Fensham, R. J. (2007). Impacts of clearing, fragmentation and disturbance on the bird fauna of eucalypt savanna woodlands in central Queensland, Australia. Austral Ecology 32, 261–276.
Impacts of clearing, fragmentation and disturbance on the bird fauna of eucalypt savanna woodlands in central Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hanspach, J., Fischer, J., Stott, J., and Stagoll, K. (2011). Conservation management of eastern Australian farmland birds in relation to landscape gradients. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 523–531.
Conservation management of eastern Australian farmland birds in relation to landscape gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Haslem, A., and Bennett, A. F. (2008a). Birds in agricultural mosaics: the influence of landscape pattern and countryside heterogeneity. Ecological Applications 18, 185–196.
Birds in agricultural mosaics: the influence of landscape pattern and countryside heterogeneity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18372565PubMed |

Haslem, A., and Bennett, A. F. (2008b). Countryside elements and the conservation of birds in agricultural environments. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 125, 191–203.
Countryside elements and the conservation of birds in agricultural environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Heikkinen, R. K., Luoto, M., Virkkala, R., and Rainio, K. (2004). Effects of habitat cover, landscape structure and spatial variables on the abundance of birds in an agricultural–forest mosaic. Journal of Applied Ecology 41, 824–835.
Effects of habitat cover, landscape structure and spatial variables on the abundance of birds in an agricultural–forest mosaic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hobbs, R., Catling, P. C., Wombey, J. C., Clayton, M., Atkins, L., and Reid, A. (2003). Faunal use of bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantations in southwestern Australia. Agroforestry Systems 58, 195–212.
Faunal use of bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantations in southwestern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hsu, T., French, K., and Major, R. (2010). Avian assemblages in eucalypt forests, plantations and pastures in northern NSW, Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 260, 1036–1046.
Avian assemblages in eucalypt forests, plantations and pastures in northern NSW, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hugo, S., and van Rensburg, B. J. (2008). The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density. Global Ecology and Biogeography 17, 611–621.
The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hunt, K. F. (2013). Differences in species and functional diversity of bird communities in different land-use types. B.Sc.(Honours) Thesis, Charles Sturt University, Albury.

Hurlbert, A. H., and Haskell, J. P. (2003). The effect of energy and seasonality on avian species richness and community composition. American Naturalist 161, 83–97.
The effect of energy and seasonality on avian species richness and community composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12650464PubMed |

Karp, D. S., Rominger, A. J., Zook, J., Ranganathan, J., Ehrlich, P. R., and Daily, G. C. (2012). Intensive agriculture erodes β-diversity at large scales. Ecology Letters 15, 963–970.
Intensive agriculture erodes β-diversity at large scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22727063PubMed |

Karp, D. S., Mendenhall, C. D., Sandí, R. F., Chaumont, N., Ehrlich, P. R., Hadly, E. A., and Daily, G. C. (2013). Forest bolsters bird abundance, pest control and coffee yield. Ecology Letters 16, 1339–1347.
Forest bolsters bird abundance, pest control and coffee yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23981013PubMed |

Kavanagh, R. P., Stanton, M. A., and Herring, M. W. (2007). Eucalypt plantings on farms benefit woodland birds in south-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 32, 635–650.
Eucalypt plantings on farms benefit woodland birds in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kleijn, D., and Sutherland, W. J. (2003). How effective are European agri-environment schemes in conserving and promoting biodiversity? Journal of Animal Ecology 40, 947–969.
How effective are European agri-environment schemes in conserving and promoting biodiversity?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kleijn, D., Berendse, F., Smit, R., and Gilissen, N. (2001). Agri-environment schemes do not effectively protect biodiversity in Dutch agricultural landscapes. Nature 413, 723–725.
Agri-environment schemes do not effectively protect biodiversity in Dutch agricultural landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnvFeht7g%3D&md5=8a4b8c88b3c3eb3982a8f3b7581c467dCAS | 11607029PubMed |

Kross, S. M., Tylianakis, J. M., and Nelson, X. J. (2012). Effects of introducing threatened falcons into vineyards on abundance of passeriformes and bird damage to grapes. Conservation Biology 26, 142–149.
Effects of introducing threatened falcons into vineyards on abundance of passeriformes and bird damage to grapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22010952PubMed |

Laliberté, E., and Legendre, P. (2010). A distance-based framework for measuring functional diversity from multiple traits. Ecology 91, 299–305.
A distance-based framework for measuring functional diversity from multiple traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20380219PubMed |

Laliberté, E., Wells, J. A., DeClerck, F., Metcalfe, D. J., Catterall, C. P., Queiroz, C., Aubin, I., Bonser, S. P., Ding, Y., Fraterrigo, J. M., McNamara, S., Morgan, J. W., Merlos, D. S., Vesk, P. A., and Mayfield, M. M. (2010). Landuse intensification reduces functional redundancy and response diversity in plant communities. Ecology Letters 13, 76–86.
Landuse intensification reduces functional redundancy and response diversity in plant communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19917052PubMed |

Loyn, R. H., McNabb, E. G., Macak, P., and Noble, P. (2007). Eucalypt plantations as habitat for birds on previously cleared farmland in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 137, 533–548.
Eucalypt plantations as habitat for birds on previously cleared farmland in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Luck, G. W. (2013). The net return from animal activity in agro-ecosystems: trading off benefits from ecosystem services against costs from crop damage. F1000Research 2, 239.
The net return from animal activity in agro-ecosystems: trading off benefits from ecosystem services against costs from crop damage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25285202PubMed |

Luck, G. W., and Smallbone, L. T. (2011). The impact of urbanisation on taxonomic and functional similarity among bird communities. Journal of Biogeography 38, 894–906.
The impact of urbanisation on taxonomic and functional similarity among bird communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Luck, G. W., Lavorel, S., McIntyre, S., and Lumb, K. (2012). Improving the application of vertebrate trait-based frameworks to the study of ecosystem services. Journal of Animal Ecology 81, 1065–1076.
Improving the application of vertebrate trait-based frameworks to the study of ecosystem services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22435774PubMed |

Luck, G. W., Smallbone, L. T., and Sheffield, K. J. (2013a). Environmental and socio-economic factors related to urban bird communities. Austral Ecology 38, 111–120.
Environmental and socio-economic factors related to urban bird communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Luck, G. W., Carter, A., and Smallbone, L. (2013b). Changes in bird functional diversity across multiple land uses: interpretations of functional redundancy depend on functional group identity. PLoS ONE 8, e63671.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXoslantr8%3D&md5=921bec60923ef8c7198f85dc794ff6b5CAS | 23696844PubMed |

Luck, G. W., Triplett, S., and Spooner, P. (2013c). Bird use of almond plantations: implications for production and conservation. Wildlife Research 40, 523–535.

Luck, G. W., Spooner, P. G., Watson, D. M., Watson, S. J., and Saunders, M. E. (2014). Interactions between almond plantations and native ecosystems: lessons learned from north-western Victoria. Ecological Management & Restoration 15, 4–15.
Interactions between almond plantations and native ecosystems: lessons learned from north-western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Martin, W. K., Eldridge, D., and Murray, P. A. (2011). Bird assemblages in remnant and revegetated habitats in an extensively cleared landscape, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Pacific Conservation Biology 17, 110–120.

Mayfield, M. M., Bonser, S. P., Morgan, J. W., Aubin, I., McNamara, S., and Vesk, P. A. (2010). What does species richness tell us about functional diversity? Predictions and evidence for responses of species and trait diversity to land use change. Global Ecology and Biogeography 19, 423–431.

McArdle, B. H., and Anderson, M. J. (2004). Variance heterogeneity, transformations, and models of species abundance: a cautionary tale. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61, 1294–1302.
Variance heterogeneity, transformations, and models of species abundance: a cautionary tale.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MEA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) (2005). ‘Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Current State and Trends. Volume 1’. (Island Press: Washington.)

Mehrnejad, M. (2002). Biology of carob moth E. ceratoniae, new pest on pistachio in Rafsanjan. Applied Entomology and Phytopathology 60, 1–11.

Mols, C. M. M., and Visser, M. E. (2007). Great tits (Parus major) reduce caterpillar damage in commercial apple orchards. PLoS ONE 2, e202.
Great tits (Parus major) reduce caterpillar damage in commercial apple orchards.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Murphy, M. T. (2003). Avian population trends within the evolving agricultural landscape of eastern and central United States. Auk 120, 20–34.
Avian population trends within the evolving agricultural landscape of eastern and central United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nay, J. E., and Perring, T. M. (2005). Impact of ant predation and heat on carob moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) mortality in California date gardens. Journal of Economic Entomology 98, 725–731.
Impact of ant predation and heat on carob moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) mortality in California date gardens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16022299PubMed |

O’Hara, R. B., and Kotze, D. J. (2010). Do not log-transform count data. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 1, 118–122.
Do not log-transform count data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Peach, W. J., Lovett, L. J., Wotton, S. R., and Jeffs, C. (2001). Countryside stewardship delivers cirl buntings (Emberiza cirlus) in Devon, UK. Biological Conservation 101, 361–373.
Countryside stewardship delivers cirl buntings (Emberiza cirlus) in Devon, UK.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Petchey, O. L., and Gaston, K. J. (2002). Functional diversity (FD), species richness and community composition. Ecology Letters 5, 402–411.
Functional diversity (FD), species richness and community composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Radford, J. Q., and Bennett, A. F. (2007). The relative importance of landscape properties for woodland birds in agricultural environments. Journal of Applied Ecology 44, 737–747.
The relative importance of landscape properties for woodland birds in agricultural environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ribot, R. F. H., Berg, M. L., Buchanan, K. L., and Bennett, A. T. D. (2011). Fruitful use of bioacoustic alarm stimuli as a deterrent for Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans). Emu 111, 360–367.
Fruitful use of bioacoustic alarm stimuli as a deterrent for Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robinson, R. A., and Sutherland, W. J. (2002). Post-war changes in arable farming and biodiversity in Great Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology 39, 157–176.
Post-war changes in arable farming and biodiversity in Great Britain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Saunders, M. E., Luck, G. W., and Mayfield, M. M. (2013). Almond orchards with living ground cover host more wild insect pollinators. Journal of Insect Conservation 17, 1011–1025.
Almond orchards with living ground cover host more wild insect pollinators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sekercioglu, C. H. (2006). Increasing awareness of avian ecological function. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 21, 464–471.
Increasing awareness of avian ecological function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shannon, C. E. (1948). A mathematical theory of communication. The Bell System Technical Journal 27, 379–423.
A mathematical theory of communication.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Siegel, S., and Castellan, N. J. (1988). ‘Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.’ 2nd edn. (McGraw-Hill: New York.)

Thiollay, J. M. (1995). The role of traditional agroforests in the conservation of rain forest bird diversity in Sumatra. Conservation Biology 9, 335–353.
The role of traditional agroforests in the conservation of rain forest bird diversity in Sumatra.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Thomas, L., Laake, J. L., Strindberg, S., Marques, F. F. C., Buckland, S. T., Borchers, D. L., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Hedley, S. L., Pollard, J. H., Bishop, J. R. B., and Marques, T. A. (2006). ‘Distance 5.0. Release 2.1.’ (Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment: University of St Andrews, UK).

Tracey, J., Bomford, M., Hart, Q., Saunders, G., and Sinclair, R. (2007). Managing bird damage to fruit and other horticultural crops. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.

Trindade-Filho, J., Sobral, F. L., Cianciaruso, M. V., and Loyola, R. D. (2012). Using indicator groups to represent bird phylogenetic and functional diversity. Biological Conservation 146, 155–162.
Using indicator groups to represent bird phylogenetic and functional diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Triplett, S., Luck, G. W., and Spooner, P. (2012). The importance of managing the costs and benefits of bird activity for agricultural sustainability. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 10, 268–288.
The importance of managing the costs and benefits of bird activity for agricultural sustainability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

UN DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) (2011). ‘World Statistics Pocketbook Series V, No. 36 2011.’ (United Nations: New York.)

Villéger, S., Mason, N. W., and Mouillot, D. (2008). New multidimensional functional diversity indices for a multifaceted framework in functional ecology. Ecology 89, 2290–2301.
New multidimensional functional diversity indices for a multifaceted framework in functional ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18724739PubMed |

Violle, C., Navas, M. L., Vile, D., Kazakou, E., Fortunel, C., Hummel, I., and Garnier, E. (2007). Let the concept of trait be functional! Oikos 116, 882–892.
Let the concept of trait be functional!Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Warton, D. I., and Hui, F. K. C. (2011). The arcsine is asinine: the analysis of proportions in ecology. Ecology 92, 3–10.
The arcsine is asinine: the analysis of proportions in ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21560670PubMed |

Wenny, D. G., DeVault, T. L., Johnson, M. D., Kelly, D., Sekercioglu, C. H., Tomback, D. F., and Whelan, C. J. (2011). The need to quantify ecosystem services provided by birds. Auk 128, 1–14.
The need to quantify ecosystem services provided by birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Whelan, C. J., Wenny, D. G., and Marquis, R. J. (2008). Ecosystem services provided by birds. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1134, 25–60.
Ecosystem services provided by birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18566089PubMed |

Yahner, R. H. (1982). Avian use of vertical strata and plantings in farmstead shelterbelts. Journal of Wildlife Management 46, 50–60.
Avian use of vertical strata and plantings in farmstead shelterbelts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |