Welfare of Wild Animals in Human-Dominated Agricultural Matrices

The agricultural matrix — the landscape of fields, roads, and human infrastructure surrounding natural habitat — determines welfare outcomes for wild animals trying to move, feed, and breed across human-dominated landscapes.

Key Facts

80% of terrestrial land is now in some form of human use, with agriculture dominating in most regions
Wild animals traversing agricultural matrices face predation, road mortality, chemical exposure, and human disturbance
Hedgerows, field margins, and woodland patches in agricultural landscapes provide critical welfare refugia
Agri-environment schemes that pay farmers to maintain wildlife-friendly features have measurable wildlife welfare benefits
Matrix permeability — how easily wildlife can move through farmed landscapes — is a key determinant of population welfare

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of wild animals in agricultural landscapes is determined by every management decision made in those landscapes — whether hedgerows are maintained or removed, whether field margins are sprayed or left, whether roads have wildlife crossings, whether pesticide use is targeted or broadcast. Animals moving through agricultural matrices experience a continuous negotiation with human infrastructure. Agricultural policy that values biodiversity and wildlife welfare, expressed through agri-environment payments and planning requirements, is the most leveraged tool for improving wildlife welfare at landscape scale.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes and farmers who maintain wildlife-friendly landscape features
Advocate for wildlife-sensitive agricultural policy that values habitat connectivity and reduced pesticide use
Choose food from farming systems certified to maintain wildlife-friendly landscape features
Engage with local farmers about the wildlife welfare benefits of hedgerow and field margin management