Territory distribution and breeding success of skylarks Alauda arvensis on organic and intensive farmland in southern England

Published source details Wilson J.D., Evans J., Browne S.J. & King J.R. (1997) Territory distribution and breeding success of skylarks Alauda arvensis on organic and intensive farmland in southern England. Journal of Applied Ecology, 34, 1462-1478.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland Action Link
	Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland Action Link

Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland

A replicated study in summers of 1993-95 on seven farms in southern England (Wilson et al. 1997) found that there were significantly higher densities of Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis nests on set-aside fields than on conventionally or organically managed crop fields (0.3-0.5 territories/ha for set-aside fields vs. a maximum of 0.4 territories/ha for cropped fields). Estimated nest survival was significantly higher on set-aside fields than conventionally managed cereal fields (44% survival to fledgling on set-aside vs. 11% for conventional cereals). Set-aside was either naturally regenerated from crop stubble or sown with grass.
Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland

A replicated study in summers of 1993-5 on seven farms in southern England (Wilson et al. 1997) found significantly higher densities of skylark Alauda arvensis territories on set-aside fields than on conventionally or organically-managed crop fields (0.26-0.56 territories/ha for set-aside fields vs a maximum of 0.38 territories/ha for cropped fields). Estimated nest survival was significantly higher on set-aside fields than conventionally-managed cereal fields (44% survival to fledgling on set-aside vs 11% for conventional cereals). Set-aside was both naturally regenerated from crop stubble or sown with grass.