The instinctive environment in Europe is on the verge of collapse .
Two Modern studiespublished this weekshow how the number of farm birds in France has ram , falling by an average of a third in the last 15 years alone , actuate scientist to warnthat biodiversity in Europe face “ limbo ” .
transport out by the National Centre for Scientific Research , the papers show that the rub - out of these tilled land birds is on “ a level approach an ecological disaster ” . On average , numbers have fallen by a third , but some species have almost been eradicate . The researchers found that eight out of 10 partridges are now gone , while seven out of 10 meadow pipits have suffered the same lot .
“ The situation is catastrophic,”saidthe National Museum of Natural History ’s Benoit Fontaine , a preservation biologist who co - authored one of the work . “ Our countryside is in the process of become [ sic ] a regular desert . ”
The huge diminution in farm birds recorded in France mirrors last year ’s uncovering that over three - quarters of all flying insect in Germanyhave vanished in just three decennary . It is thought that the fast-growing use of pesticide , peculiarly neonicotinoids , over the last few decades is behind this crash in worm numbers , something that the research worker expected to be seen in other places around the world .
This spectacular decline in farm razz , therefore , is no happenstance .
The researchers suspect that the drop-off in louse has had a predictable knock - on effect on the birds that endure in the farming landscape painting , as they fight to obtain enough food to exist . “ There are hardly any insects leave , that ’s the number one problem , ” said Vincent Bretagnolle , another of the study ’s generator .
This can be clearly shown by the fact that although generalist mintage such as wood pigeons and blackbirds are doing well in urban surroundings – and are in fact increase in number nationally – those living in rural orbit are actually refuse . This clear means that changing land practices are to pick for this collapse in bird numbers .
scientist have been warning for yr that this is probable to happen , with little action at law being taken . With 45 pct of Europe covered in farmland , the scurf of the job is not to be underestimated . The intensification of farming , coupled with the massive step up in pesticide use over the last few decades , is menace to produce a second “ silent spring ” , the terminal figure coined by ecologist Rachel Carson when describing a like declination in birds during the 1960s .
As more pieces are removed , the quicker the environment will come crashing down unless speedy action is taken .
