Under our wing

Peaceful resolutions

The reason Huang conducted this part of the research is to encourage farmers who currently use lethal methods to prevent crop losses from birds to switch to nonlethal methods.

As an example, in Thailand, there is a type of bird that causes damage to rice crops. Local residents set up nets on the edges of the fields, which are not easily noticeable, causing many species of birds to collide with them and die, 20 percent of which, according to research, are from species that don't cause crop loss.

"This practice leads to a decline in bird populations in the area and also reduces the ecological services provided by birds," Huang says.

To understand the public perception of and attitude toward birds, Huang compiled a data set including 39 independent surveys for over 25,000 respondents from 24 countries, mostly from questionnaires retrieved from study areas.

Analysis revealed that the average proportion of respondents who had a positive attitude toward birds was at least twice as many as those with a negative attitude. Although the pest control benefits offered by birds are widely recognized in global biodiversity conservation agreements, only 61 percent of the rural residents from eight surveys thought that birds could benefit crops.

The research findings indicate a notable disparity in perceptions among respondents from different income backgrounds. Those from low-income countries tend to view birds as an issue, expressing less positivity toward them compared to respondents from high-income countries.

Tropical regions harbor a higher diversity of bird species, making bird conservation particularly crucial in these areas. However, many tropical regions are often low-income countries, relying heavily on crop production.

"So, they may be more sensitive to the crop losses caused by birds, leading to more apparent conflicts between humans and birds," Huang says.

"Therefore, we believe that it is essential to first initiate awareness campaigns in these countries promoting nonlethal control methods and fostering understanding of the beneficial relationships between birds and various agricultural fields."

Liu believes that while the article takes a global view, it also provides significant insights applicable to China. For instance, biodiversity conservation is an essential aspect of the country's efforts to establish an ecological civilization.

He says he is planning to conduct research on the interactions between birds and agricultural ecosystems in Dehong, Yunnan province, where conflicts between certain bird species and farming activities have been observed, similar to those discussed in the article.

"In these provinces with rich biodiversity, similar challenges arise. Our goal is to find a balance or solutions that address both conservation and development concerns," Liu says.