Enforce legislation to protect birds against persecution

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 2
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

90%
Certainty

18%
Harms

not assessed

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Perhaps the most commonly used intervention in response to declining species is to provide legal protection for the species.

Study locations

Key messages

Two before-and-after studies have evaluated effects of legislative protection on bird species in Europe. Both found that legislation protects bird populations. One found increased population levels of raptors in Scotland, following protective legislation. One found increased survival of kestrels in Denmark stricter protection, but not necessarily population-level responses.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A before-and-after study examining 524 common kestrels Falco tinnunculus recovered during 1917-1980 in Denmark (Noer & Secher 1983) found that estimated survival rates of birds ringed as chicks increased during 1967-1972 (66% annual survival) compared to 1945-1966 (50%), following the introduction of legal protection for all birds of prey in 1967. However, the increase in survival rate following kestrel-specific legislation in 1926 was insignificant (45% for 1917-1925 vs 55% for 1926-1939) and there was a significant fall in 1973-1980 (to 53%). There were similar (although insignificant) patterns for birds ringed as juveniles or adults. There were significant decreases in the proportion of recoveries that were shot following each piece of legislation, from 1917-1925 (59% of 29) to 1926-1939 (14% of 35) and again from 1945-1966 (17% of 76) to 1976-1980 (2% of 192).
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Noer H. & Secher H. (1983) Survival of Danish kestrels Falco tinnunculus in relation to protection of birds of prey. Ornis Scandinavica, 14, 104-114.
A before-and-after study on a grouse moor in Dumfries and Galloway, south Scotland (Baines et al. 2008), found that the numbers of hen harriers Circus cyaneus and peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus increased after birds were given full protection from persecution in 1990 (harriers increased from two pairs in 1992 to 20 pairs in 1997, whilst peregrines increased from two to six pairs). However, following the discontinuation of moor management in 2000, harriers declined again to two to four pairs in 2003-2006. Both species were legally protected since 1961, but until 1990 many were still killed illegally on the moor. Three wader species and red grouse Lagopus lagopus all declined following harrier protection and the cessation of management. Meadow pipits Anthus pratensis and stonechats Saxicola rubicola both declined as harriers increased but increased again after 2000. Carrion crows Corvus corone increased from 2000, after they were no longer shot by gamekeepers.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Baines D., Redpath S., Richardson M. & Thirgood S. (2008) The direct and indirect effects of predation by hen harriers Circus cyaneus on trends in breeding birds on a Scottish grouse moor. Ibis, 150, 27-36.

Please cite as:

Dicks, L.V., Ashpole, J.E., Dänhardt, J., James, K., Jönsson, A., Randall, N., Showler, D.A., Smith, R.K., Turpie, S., Williams, D.R. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Farmland Conservation. Pages 283-321 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Farmland Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Avoid use of lead shot Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	0	Synopsis Link
Enforce legislation to protect birds against persecution Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	2	Synopsis Link
Use scaring devices (eg. gas guns) and other deterrents to reduce persecution of native species Action Link	Evidence not assessed	1	Synopsis Link