MANAGING FARMLANDS MANAGING FARMLANDS FOR WILDLIFEFOR WILDLIFE

Richard E. Warner, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignRichard E. Warner, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jeffery W. Walk, Illinois Chapter of The Nature ConservancyJeffery W. Walk, Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy

James R. Herkert, Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesJames R. Herkert, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

IntroductionIntroduction

Rapid technological change in agriculture has dramatically affected farmland wildlifeRapid technological change in agriculture has dramatically affected farmland wildlife

Wildlife management is often tied to soil and water conservation effortsWildlife management is often tied to soil and water conservation efforts

A systems approach is necessary to successfully integrate wildlife conservation with A systems approach is necessary to successfully integrate wildlife conservation with agricultureagriculture

Challenges to Conserving Farmland WildlifeChallenges to Conserving Farmland Wildlife

► Divergent goals of wildlife conservation and agricultureDivergent goals of wildlife conservation and agriculture

► Changing farm conservation programsChanging farm conservation programs

► Lack of reliable knowledgeLack of reliable knowledge

► Communicating the importance of wildlife to ecosystem Communicating the importance of wildlife to ecosystem functionsfunctions

► Addressing positive and negative human-wildlife interactionsAddressing positive and negative human-wildlife interactions

► Facilitating access to private landsFacilitating access to private lands

Shift from Diversified Agriculture to Intensive Shift from Diversified Agriculture to Intensive Rowcrop Monocultures has Caused Declines of Rowcrop Monocultures has Caused Declines of Many Species in the Midwestern United StatesMany Species in the Midwestern United States

Crop Production Index (CPI) and harvest of farmland game Crop Production Index (CPI) and harvest of farmland game

Changing Agricultural Practices are Implicated in Changing Agricultural Practices are Implicated in the Widespread Decline of Grassland Wildlifethe Widespread Decline of Grassland Wildlife

Population trends from the Population trends from the North American Breeding Bird North American Breeding Bird Survey (1966–2003) the eastern Survey (1966–2003) the eastern meadowlark (meadowlark (Sturnella magnaSturnella magna) ) (top) and northern bobwhite (top) and northern bobwhite ((Colinus virginianusColinus virginianus) (bottom). ) (bottom). Percent changes per year of –Percent changes per year of –1.5/year or worse (red) suggest 1.5/year or worse (red) suggest overall population declines of overall population declines of >50% during the period.>50% during the period.

Social Context for Managing Farmland Social Context for Managing Farmland WildlifeWildlife

► Most initiatives cater to farmers and hunters of farmland Most initiatives cater to farmers and hunters of farmland wildlife – a dwindling audiencewildlife – a dwindling audience People living on farms has declined from 23% in 1940 to <2% today; People living on farms has declined from 23% in 1940 to <2% today;

number of farms has declined 70%number of farms has declined 70% Number of small game hunters declined 31% from 1996-2006Number of small game hunters declined 31% from 1996-2006 Many urban residents struggle to obtain access to private land Many urban residents struggle to obtain access to private land

►Other ecological and economic values of Other ecological and economic values of conservation in agricultural settings are poorly conservation in agricultural settings are poorly communicatedcommunicated Water purification, pollination, carbon sequestration, recreation, biological Water purification, pollination, carbon sequestration, recreation, biological

pest regulation, soil enhancementpest regulation, soil enhancement

Managing Landscapes for WildlifeManaging Landscapes for Wildlife

Desirable Attributes of Major Desirable Attributes of Major Landscape Elements Landscape Elements

►Habitat patches:Habitat patches: larger, connected, larger, connected, multiple, structurally and florally multiple, structurally and florally diversediverse►Corridors:Corridors: wider, continuous, wider, continuous, redundant, structurally and florally redundant, structurally and florally diversediverse►Farmland matrix:Farmland matrix: diverse, optimal diverse, optimal juxtaposition, minimal disturbance at juxtaposition, minimal disturbance at critical periods (e.g., mowing during critical periods (e.g., mowing during nesting)nesting)

Guidelines for Maintaining Guidelines for Maintaining Ecological FunctionEcological Function

►Self-sustaining populations that are Self-sustaining populations that are suitable and achievable suitable and achievable ►Preserve, enhance, or restore the Preserve, enhance, or restore the structure and function of existing patches structure and function of existing patches and corridorsand corridors►Create new patches or corridors to Create new patches or corridors to replace lost habitatreplace lost habitat►Minimize negative effects and maximize Minimize negative effects and maximize positive attributes of the matrixpositive attributes of the matrix►Restore or mimic natural disturbance Restore or mimic natural disturbance regimesregimes

Farm Programs as a Context for Habitat Farm Programs as a Context for Habitat ManagementManagement

► Historically, programs diverted Historically, programs diverted cropland from production to cropland from production to adjust commodity prices, adjust commodity prices, promote conservation promote conservation

► “ “Set-aside” programs have Set-aside” programs have established wildlife-valuable established wildlife-valuable early successional coverearly successional cover

► Programs reduce the hazards of Programs reduce the hazards of farming disturbances at critical farming disturbances at critical times for wildlife (e.g., the times for wildlife (e.g., the nesting season)nesting season)

Farmland diverted from production in Farmland diverted from production in the United States, 1956–2002.the United States, 1956–2002.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

► The most important program of recent history for farmland The most important program of recent history for farmland wildlifewildlife

► At peak, >14.6 million ha (36 million acres) enrolledAt peak, >14.6 million ha (36 million acres) enrolled► Idles environmentally sensitive farmland for 10–15 years to reduce Idles environmentally sensitive farmland for 10–15 years to reduce

soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitatsoil erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat► Landowners receive annual payments based on local land-rental Landowners receive annual payments based on local land-rental

values and cost-share for establishing vegetationvalues and cost-share for establishing vegetation► Trend over time has been more targeted, flexible “sub-programs” Trend over time has been more targeted, flexible “sub-programs”

within the CRPwithin the CRP Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement

Distribution of Conservation Reserve Program, by percent of county enrolled, in Distribution of Conservation Reserve Program, by percent of county enrolled, in the United States in 2008. Data from Farm Service Agency.the United States in 2008. Data from Farm Service Agency.

Other Contemporary Farm ProgramsOther Contemporary Farm Programs

Easement ProgramsEasement Programs

►Wetland Reserve Program Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)(WRP)►Grassland Reserve Program Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)(GRP)► Healthy Forest Reserve Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP)Program (HFRP)

Working Lands ProgramsWorking Lands Programs

►Conservation Stewardship Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Program (CSP) ►Wildlife Habitat Incentive Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) Program (WHIP) ►Environmental Quality Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)Incentives Program (EQIP)

All these farm programs are:voluntary,

provide financial incentives,administered by the US Department of Agriculture.

Optimizing Farm Programs for WildlifeOptimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife

► Identify Target Species and Communities Identify Target Species and Communities

► Identify Physiographic CharacteristicsIdentify Physiographic Characteristics

► Recognize Issues of Spatial ScaleRecognize Issues of Spatial Scale

► Temporal FactorsTemporal Factors

► Planning and Coordinating Management PlansPlanning and Coordinating Management Plans

► Work with LandownersWork with Landowners

► Be Opportunistic and FlexibleBe Opportunistic and Flexible

Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife: Identify Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife: Identify Target Species and CommunitiesTarget Species and Communities

► Traditionally, programs have been ‘first-come, first-served’ and Traditionally, programs have been ‘first-come, first-served’ and driven by landowner interestdriven by landowner interest

► Programs are increasingly structured to achieve specific outcomesPrograms are increasingly structured to achieve specific outcomes Targeted geographies with acreage allocationsTargeted geographies with acreage allocations Higher standards for restored vegetationHigher standards for restored vegetation Minimum patch size, widthMinimum patch size, width

► Incentives often need to be changed to entice a restricted Incentives often need to be changed to entice a restricted landowner poollandowner pool State or private “enhancement” paymentsState or private “enhancement” payments Increased cost share paymentsIncreased cost share payments Sign-up and practice incentive paymentsSign-up and practice incentive payments

Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Identify Physiographic CharacteristicsIdentify Physiographic Characteristics

► What natural features define the region? What natural features define the region? ► What was natural vegetation prior to agriculture? What was natural vegetation prior to agriculture? ► What significant habitat features define the wildlife community, What significant habitat features define the wildlife community,

including forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, intensive grain including forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, intensive grain cropping, and livestock grazing?cropping, and livestock grazing?

► Are there remnant patches of natural vegetation or other Are there remnant patches of natural vegetation or other significant semi-permanent vegetation from which to start? significant semi-permanent vegetation from which to start?

► What life-history needs of target species are being fulfilled in What life-history needs of target species are being fulfilled in the existing agricultural matrix?the existing agricultural matrix?

► What life-history requisites are lacking?What life-history requisites are lacking?

Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Recognize Issues of Spatial and Temporal ScaleRecognize Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale

► What can be done a the patch (field) scale to benefit wildlife? What can be done a the patch (field) scale to benefit wildlife?

► What limitations or opportunities do surrounding lands and What limitations or opportunities do surrounding lands and regional phenomena create?regional phenomena create?

► On what time-frame can habitat be created and when will a On what time-frame can habitat be created and when will a wildlife response be apparent?wildlife response be apparent?

► Does that time-frame match with the duration of a farm program?Does that time-frame match with the duration of a farm program?

Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Working With LandownersWorking With Landowners

► There is a direct relationship between effective interactions among biologists There is a direct relationship between effective interactions among biologists and landholders during the planning process and the subsequent success of the and landholders during the planning process and the subsequent success of the programprogram

► Learn what farm operators want: the goals of the landholder (not those of the Learn what farm operators want: the goals of the landholder (not those of the biologist) are likely to be applied and maintainedbiologist) are likely to be applied and maintained

► Follow-up is essential Follow-up is essential Diagnose and correct problems Diagnose and correct problems Opportunity to emphasize long-term maintenance of vegetationOpportunity to emphasize long-term maintenance of vegetation Facilitates reevaluating/updating the plan as conditions change Facilitates reevaluating/updating the plan as conditions change Creates opportunities for making additional contacts, expanding the program to other Creates opportunities for making additional contacts, expanding the program to other

farmsfarms

Evaluating and Refining ProgramsEvaluating and Refining Programs

► VegetationVegetation Was desired vegetation established in the short- and long-term?Was desired vegetation established in the short- and long-term?

► Participation by LandownersParticipation by Landowners Did attitudes or knowledge change as a result of the program?Did attitudes or knowledge change as a result of the program?

► Responses by Wildlife Responses by Wildlife Did population trend/abundance change?Did population trend/abundance change? Did key demographic parameters (survival reproduction) change?Did key demographic parameters (survival reproduction) change?

► Interactions Between Wildlife and HabitatInteractions Between Wildlife and Habitat Were changes in target wildlife due to the program or other factors? Did the Were changes in target wildlife due to the program or other factors? Did the

evaluation occur at the right temporal and spatial scales?evaluation occur at the right temporal and spatial scales?

SUMMARYSUMMARY► Pressures to produce more per unit of land are increasing, Pressures to produce more per unit of land are increasing,

but so is public will to achieve multiple natural-resource but so is public will to achieve multiple natural-resource goals on farmlandgoals on farmland

► The spatial and temporal factors requisite for successful The spatial and temporal factors requisite for successful farmland habitat interventions are tied to a complex farming farmland habitat interventions are tied to a complex farming system with ecological and socioeconomic dimensionssystem with ecological and socioeconomic dimensions

► Wildlife managers need to be aware of and influence this Wildlife managers need to be aware of and influence this system, ranging from regional policies and programs, to the system, ranging from regional policies and programs, to the practices that are used on the ground, and to the practices that are used on the ground, and to the perceptions of landholdersperceptions of landholders