Wildlife in Agricultural Landscapes: A Welfare Perspective

Modern agricultural landscapes support far less wildlife than historical ones. Understanding the welfare dimension of agricultural wildlife loss helps connect conservation and animal welfare.

Key Facts

UK farmland bird populations have declined by 57% since 1970
Intensification has eliminated hedgerows, wetlands, and field margins across Europe
Pesticide use has reduced insect biomass by up to 75% in some regions since the 1990s
Agri-environment schemes pay farmers for wildlife-friendly practices but underfunding limits uptake
Organic farming supports significantly higher wildlife abundance and diversity than conventional farming

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife in agricultural landscapes faces chronic welfare harm from habitat degradation. Birds, mammals, and invertebrates in intensively farmed areas face food scarcity, loss of shelter, and physiological stress from pesticide exposure. Population declines represent millions of individual animals failing to survive to adulthood or reproduce successfully. The transition from intensive to more wildlife-friendly farming — through organic methods, reduced pesticide use, and habitat provision — directly improves individual welfare outcomes as well as population trajectories.

What You Can Do

Support organic or lower-input farming through purchasing choices
Advocate for agri-environment scheme funding to be increased and targeted at wildlife
Create wildlife habitat on any land you have access to
Donate to organisations monitoring and improving farmland wildlife populations
Support pesticide reduction policies as a wildlife welfare measure