While some farmers are hesitant about accommodating birds due to concerns about avian flu and potential crop losses, the realities of climate change have begun to intertwine agricultural practices with avian survival. With fluctuating temperatures, insufficient rainfall, and unpredictable storms, the challenges facing both food production and bird populations are increasingly connected.
In various regions, collaboration among farmers is essential for the survival of species such as whooping cranes and other wetland-dependent birds, nearly one-third of which are witnessing population declines. Waterfowl populations have decreased by 20 percent since 2014, while long-legged wading birds like sandpipers are experiencing sharp declines. The involvement of conservation biologists, non-profits, governmental organizations, and farmers is crucial in efforts to help these species survive, particularly as federal funding support is now more uncertain.
These cooperative efforts depend on the specific agricultural contexts of different areas—grasslands, shallow wetlands, and other varied environments support different bird species. A major strategy focuses on incentivizing farmers to adjust their practices to promote avian forage and habitat preservation.
In Louisiana and parts of Texas, traditional crawfish-and-rice farms are designed to replicate the freshwater wetlands that are being endangered by saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels. Rice is cultivated in fields that are flooded to control weeds, drained for harvesting, and then re-flooded to allow crawfish to burrow in the muddy fields for an early spring harvest.
This second flooding period coincides with the fall migration when a diverse array of birds, including egrets, herons, bitterns, and storks, arrive to feast on crustaceans and aquatic life in the fields. Elijah Wojohn, a conservation biologist with Manomet Conservation Sciences in Massachusetts, notes the rich biodiversity found on crawfish-and-rice farms, contrasting sharply with the reduced wildlife presence on farms that shift toward less water-intensive crops like corn and soybeans.
In the Mississippi Delta and California, Ducks Unlimited has long assisted farmers by offering financial incentives to flood fields for wintering ducks and geese, considered an added agricultural benefit. This practice helps decompose leftover rice stalks and supports overwintering populations, thereby aiding in the continuation of rice farming, which is increasingly at risk due to climate change. In 2024, Ducks Unlimited focused on conserving one million acres for waterfowl habitat.
Some conservation strategies, however, may backfire. In Central New York, as winter ice levels drop, wildlife managers are converting less productive farmland into native grasslands, which provide essential food sources for migratory ducks. Yet, this could lead to an overpopulation of birds in their breeding territories, potentially harming ecosystems meant to support them.
On a global scale, conservation initiatives have emerged to protect buff-breasted sandpipers making their long migrations to the High Arctic. These birds face numerous threats along their route, including agricultural water shortages and habitat destruction. Conservationists emphasize the need to safeguard habitats along their migration path, particularly to ensure optimal wintering conditions in Uruguay.
In North America’s northwest, bird conservation is facing urgent challenges. Severe drought conditions are obliterating breeding grounds and migration stopovers, threatening farmers’ livelihoods as agricultural pressures mount. In response, monetary incentives have been introduced to encourage grain farmers to leave harvest debris for migratory birds and to promote flooding in unused pastures for better habitat quality.
The Klamath Basin serves as a critical juncture for migrating birds, yet persistent drought has led to record low bird counts. John Vradenburg, a supervisory biologist in the region, notes collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to increase water availability for both wildlife and agricultural needs.
Restorative efforts in the Klamath River, including removing dams to facilitate better water distribution, offer hope. These improvements could keep water tables elevated and promote wetland restoration, although recent funding cuts pose a threat to these initiatives. By potentially providing eco-credits for wetlands’ filtration services, farmers might also benefit financially while contributing to environmental health.
As birds confront shrinking habitats and inhospitable conditions, a pressing question arises: Can conservationists act quickly enough to address these challenges? Rapid climate change leaves little room for species adaptation, making swift action to secure suitable farming and rangeland even more critical as birds seek new migratory routes.
This story originally appeared at Knowable Magazine.
