Diversity and abundance of birds in New Zealand kiwifruit orchards

Abstract

Both introduced and native bird species play important ecological and social roles in production landscapes. Economic benefits stem from birds that control pasture and crop pests, and many farmers and growers appreciate native species such as tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) , wood pigeons (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) , and fantails (Rhipidura fuliginosa) in farmland. Overseas food market chains and their customers are increasingly wishing to be assured that the food and fibre they buy from New Zealand farms has been produced in an ecologically sustainable way that supports other plants and animals in the farm landscape as well as the ‘agricultural biodiversity’ that directly assists production. In New Zealand there is currently very little information available on the ecology or social roles of bird communities in production landscapes. This study forms part of a larger project, the Agriculture Research Group on Sustainability (ARGOS), which is investigating the social, economic and ecological sustainability of New Zealand Production landscapes. This poster summarises the study that was conducted on 36 New Zealand kiwifruit orchards located in the Bay of Plenty, and the Bay of Islands in the North Island, and Motueka in the South Island.