25 Actions found

Actions to conserve biodiversity

We have summarised evidence from the scientific literature about the effects of actions to conserve wildlife and ecosystems.

Review the evidence from the studies

About actions Sources of evidence

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25 Actions found

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Restore/create species-rich, semi-natural grassland

Action Link 		Beneficial 71 Restore/create species-rich, semi-natural grassland Synopsis Link

Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 38 Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once) Synopsis Link

Reduce grazing intensity on grassland (including seasonal removal of livestock)

Action Link 		Likely to be ineffective or harmful 30 Reduce grazing intensity on grassland (including seasonal removal of livestock) Synopsis Link

Restore or create traditional water meadows

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 22 Restore or create traditional water meadows Synopsis Link

Maintain species-rich, semi-natural grassland

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 22 Maintain species-rich, semi-natural grassland Synopsis Link

Maintain upland heath/moorland

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 17 Maintain upland heath/moorland Synopsis Link

Delay mowing or first grazing date on pasture or grassland

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 15 Delay mowing or first grazing date on pasture or grassland Synopsis Link

Exclude livestock from semi-natural habitat (including woodland)

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 8 Exclude livestock from semi-natural habitat (including woodland) Synopsis Link

Maintain traditional water meadows (includes management for breeding and/or wintering waders/waterfowl)

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 8 Maintain traditional water meadows (includes management for breeding and/or wintering waders/waterfowl) Synopsis Link

Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen)

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 8 Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen) Synopsis Link

Use mowing techniques to reduce mortality

Action Link 		Beneficial 8 Use mowing techniques to reduce mortality Synopsis Link

Raise mowing height on grasslands to benefit farmland wildlife

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 7 Raise mowing height on grasslands to benefit farmland wildlife Synopsis Link

Leave uncut strips of rye grass on silage fields

Action Link 		Likely to be beneficial 6 Leave uncut strips of rye grass on silage fields Synopsis Link

Use traditional breeds of livestock

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 5 Use traditional breeds of livestock Synopsis Link

Plant cereals for whole crop silage

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 3 Plant cereals for whole crop silage Synopsis Link

Add yellow rattle seed Rhinanthus minor to hay meadows

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 2 Add yellow rattle seed <i>Rhinanthus minor</i> to hay meadows Synopsis Link

Create open patches or strips in permanent grassland

Action Link 		Evidence not assessed 2 Create open patches or strips in permanent grassland Synopsis Link

Restore or create wood pasture

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 2 Restore or create wood pasture Synopsis Link

Restore or create upland heath/moorland

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 2 Restore or create upland heath/moorland Synopsis Link

Use mixed stocking

Action Link 		Evidence not assessed 1 Use mixed stocking Synopsis Link

Provide short grass for birds

Action Link 		Evidence not assessed 1 Provide short grass for birds Synopsis Link

Maintain wood pasture and parkland

Action Link 		Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) 1 Maintain wood pasture and parkland Synopsis Link

Maintain rush pastures

Action Link 		No evidence found (no assessment) 0 Maintain rush pastures Synopsis Link

Plant brassica fodder crops (grazed in situ)

Action Link 		No evidence found (no assessment) 0 Plant brassica fodder crops (grazed in situ) Synopsis Link

Mark fencing to avoid bird mortality

Action Link 		No evidence found (no assessment) 0 Mark fencing to avoid bird mortality Synopsis Link
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What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

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