A large body evidence demonstrates that agricultural intensification and associated land use change is one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss throughout Europe. As farms have responded to policy signals agricultural landscapes have become increasingly simplified and homogenous impacting a range of taxa. Although there have been attempts to address these challenges through agriculture, land management and environmental policy, they have been insufficient in averting the precipitous declines that have been witnessed throughout Europe.
The challenges facing biodiversity in Northern Ireland are as stark as anywhere else. The country currently ranks as the 12th worst country in the world for biodiversity loss, with 1 in 12 species facing extinction with several others experiencing significant rates of decline. With over three quarters of Northern Ireland’s land dedicated to agriculture, this sector will play a key role in efforts to address biodiversity loss at a sufficient scale and within a suitable timeframe.
Developing an effective response to biodiversity loss across Northern Ireland’s lowland farmland is dependent on a strong understanding of what has driven declines in the first place. By reviewing the existing evidence, this report demonstrates the profound impact that changes in farming practice have had on biodiversity across Northern Ireland’s lowland landscapes. In doing so, it demonstrates that the situation in Northern Ireland mirrors much of Europe, with a large-scale push for agricultural improvement resulting in a significant loss of high quality semi-natural habitat across the lowland environment. This has subsequently had a major impact on several species which were previously widespread, including a number of farmland birds which have experienced severe declines.
In recent decades it is unlikely that direct land use change poses the same threat due to the removal of some of the most harmful agriculture and land use policies. However, the evidence suggests recent large-scale expansion in intensive livestock production is becoming increasingly problematic for freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity.
The evidence complied in this review indicates that Northern Ireland’s policy response, like that of much of Europe has been inadequate in addressing the threats and pressures facing biodiversity on lowland farmland. Despite strong evidence on the interventions that can be deployed to mitigate losses and support species recovery they have not been implemented effectively, or at a sufficient scale to be successful.