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Bird communities of an agricultural landscape in North-East Italy: implications for local conservation
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 22 December 2025
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This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024 in the Veneto plain (Italy) across 2000 hectares, monitored 142 bird species, including 27 of conservation concern and 37 indicators of High Nature Value (HNV) farmland. It examined how different agroecosystem habitats—wetlands, woodlands, croplands, hedges, and fallow fields—support bird biodiversity. Wetlands showed the highest species richness, especially for conservation-relevant birds, highlighting their ecological value. Hedges and fallow lands had the highest number of HNV species, acting as key biodiversity reservoirs. Woodlands, though less species-rich, hosted unique bird communities. Diversity indices (Shannon and β-diversity) were highest in wetlands and hedge/fallow areas, indicating both richness and species turnover. Principal coordinates analysis showed clear differences in community composition among habitats. Although the analysis of variance results were not statistically significant, ecological trends were evident. Constrained correspondence analysis confirmed a strong relationship between bird communities and habitat types. Some waterbirds were also found in croplands near microhabitats like ditches. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of habitat heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes and recommends conserving wetlands, woodlands, and ecotones to support bird diversity and ensure sustainable land use.
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How to Cite
Bird communities of an agricultural landscape in North-East Italy: implications for local conservation. (2025). Rivista Italiana Di Ornitologia. https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2025.925
Copyright (c) 2025 Alessandro Nardotto, Cristian Bertolin
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