Work

The Good, the Bad, and the Risky: Can Birds Be Incorporated as Biological Control Agents into Integrated Pest Management Programs?

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Some bird species often benefit farmers by suppressing invertebrate crop pests, yet birds are rarely considered in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This is likely because some bird species pose risks to farmers through crop damage, intraguild predation, and food safety concerns. Nonetheless, the benefits of some bird species on crop production are often substantial. Therefore, understanding when birds are most likely to enhance crop production (and when they are most likely to depress it) is crucial for designing effective IPM strategies. Here, we briefly review the literature on birds in agricultural systems, discuss examples of how birds can provide services and disservices to crops, examine factors that influence the net effects of birds, and discuss emerging tools that will help fill key knowledge gaps surrounding the complex roles of birds in agricultural systems.

Source: Journal of Integrated Pest Management

DOI: 10.1093/jipm/pmaa009

Authors: Karina Garcia, Elissa M Olimpi, Daniel S Karp, David J Gonthier

Institutions: University of Kentucky, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Avian ecology and behavior

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,175