Effects of pesticide use and farming practices on rice production and bird conservation

Publication category: Research article

Authors: Ana Lopez-Antia, Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles, Silvia Lacorte & Rafael Mateo

Publication date: 1 February 2027

DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2026.110739

Language: English

Abstract: Rice fields are multifunctional agroecosystems that combine food production with significant biodiversity values, particularly for aquatic and farmland birds. However, intensive management practices, including pesticide use, may compromise their capacity to deliver both agricultural and ecological benefits. In this study, we assessed the effects of multiple environmental and agronomic factors—especially pesticide use—on two key ecosystem services: rice production and habitat provision for avian communities. A marked productivity gap was found between organic and conventional rice fields, with organic yields averaging 65% lower. However pesticide use in conventional fields showed high variability, ranging from three to thirteen active substances per field, while yield variability remained low (coefficient of variation = 8.9). This suggests considerable potential to reduce pesticide inputs without substantially affecting production. Species richness and abundance did not differ markedly between the two management types, except for higher swallow densities in organic fields. However, bird community composition differed between systems: organic fields were less suitable for species nesting within fields, likely due to later flooding and sowing dates, indicating that organic management alone does not benefit all species. Among individual practices, the use of chemically treated seeds—a widespread prophylactic measure—had some of the strongest negative effects on birds leading to reductions in Shannon diversity, species richness, and abundance. Overall, our findings suggest that the coexistence of organic and conventional rice farming, combined with reduced pesticide use and the restoration of field margins in conventional fields, offers a promising pathway to reconcile agricultural production with bird conservation.

Cite this article: Ana López-Antia, Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles, Silvia Lacorte & Rafael Mateo. Effects of pesticide use and farming practices on rice production and bird conservation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 414, 2027, 110739, ISSN 0167-8809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110739 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880926005268)