Doi: https://doi.org/10.13157/arla.72.1.2025.fo1
Authors: Manuel B. MORALES and Gerard BOTA
E-mail: manuel.morales@uam.es
Published: Volume 72.1, January 2025. Pages 121-132.
Language: English
Keywords: adaptive management, Common Agricultural Policy, conservation-targeted fallow, ecologically functional fallow, fallow life cycle and steppe birds
Summary:
Fallow land is a characteristic feature of arable agroecosystems and a key habitat for wildlife. In the case of birds, many species associate with or depend on fallows, where they find food, refuge from predators and nesting sites, all of which are usually much scarcer in other arable landscape habitats. Here we (i) clarify the terminology associated with fallows in a conservation framework, by reviewing different definitions of the term ‘fallow’, (ii) review how agricultural rotation and degree of farmland intensification changes fallow traits, cover and spatial and temporal distribution in the landscape, and (iii) discuss the use of the fallow concept in conservation research. We conclude that fallows ought to be ecologically functional to have any potential as conservation tools. However, to be effective, their structure and duration should be adapted to conservation targets (species conservation, community diversity, ecological function) in the light of sound ecological knowledge. Moreover, their spatial location in the landscape should consider the influence of human infrastructures and other features that may reduce habitat quality for birds. The corresponding responses of birds and other wildlife to fallow management should be evaluated periodically in relation to final objectives and employing suitable indicators.
