Apple orchard pest control strategies affect bird communities in southeastern France

We compared the structure (abundance, species richness, and diversity) of breeding bird communities in 15 apple orchards in southeastern France under conventional or organic pest control over a three-year period (2003–2005). We observed 30 bird species overall. Bird abundance, species richness, and diversity were all affected by pest control strategies, and were highest in organic orchards and lowest in conventional orchards during the three study years. The pest control strategy affected insectivores more than granivores.

Source:
Jean-Charles Bouvier, Benoît Ricci, Julia Agerberg, Claire Lavigne (2011) Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 30:212–219.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.377/full