Bird Populations Near Grasslands Harvested For Biofuels Are Thriving

A new study has found that bird populations around the croplands used for biofuels — grasslands in particular — are faring well.

A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spent two years looking at 11 cornfields and 30 grassland sites in southern Wisconsin. Study lead author Peter Blank said their research finds that birds — especially some with declining populations, like the eastern meadowlark and field sparrow — are doing far better in the grassland fields.

“There are very few birds in cornfields. We found that most of the birds were in grassland fields,” said Blank.

Blank said there are differences among the types of grasslands, and that birds seemed to prefer fields with more wildflower and plant diversity. He also noted that were fewer birds in the tallest and densest fields.

Blank said that biomass yields may not be as large on the more diverse lands. However, he said those fields can be productive, and that harvesting does not harm birds if it’s done in autumn after any nesting season.

“The adults would migrate, and the young will have been old enough to move away from the grassland,” said Blank.

Not a lot of grasslands in Wisconsin are harvested for biofuel production, as agri-business firms tend to prefer cornfields. Blank said that if biofuel production goes up, however, producers may want to consider what’s best for birds.