BETHESDA, MD — The Wildlife Society (TWS) today released their literature review "Fish and Wildlife Response to Farm Bill Conservation Practices," which is available for purchase at www.wildlife.org. The 120-page report reviews scientific literature on the effects of various agricultural conservation practices on fish and wildlife, and is the product of a partnership between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, and TWS. The review was prepared by a committee of experts, chaired by Jonathan B. Haufler, of the Ecosystem Management Research Institute.

"This volume addresses conservation practices that can be used to provide fish and wildlife benefits through the Farm Bill," comments Haufler in the executive summary. "It does not specifically focus on investigations of actual Farm Bill funded projects, but rather summarizes investigations that have addressed various benefits or impacts to fish and wildlife resources associated with the primary practices utilized for fish and wildlife objectives within Farm Bill programs."

Each chapter is designed to address primary practices and their fish and wildlife benefits. In addition, a final chapter discusses the importance and need for adaptive management - the integration of design, management, and monitoring to systematically test assumptions in order to adapt and learn.

• Chapter 1, "Effects of Cropland Conservation Practices on Fish and Wildlife Habitat," reviews the literature on how wildlife and agriculture can coexist if land is managed to conserve sufficient biological integrity (i.e., plant communities and habitat elements compatible with the surrounding landscape).
• In Chapter 2, "Grassland Establishment for Wildlife Conservation," the authors discuss the impact of grass field establishment and management on wildlife species, noting that the establishment of grasslands has important implications for wildlife, especially in areas historically rich in grasslands that have since been converted to row crop agriculture.
• Chapter 3, "Agricultural Buffers and Wildlife Conservation," provides a summary of the wildlife benefits of linear conservation practices such as filter strips, grassed waterways, buffers, contour strips, riparian strips, windbreaks, and shelterbelts.
• Chapter 4, "Benefits of Farm Bill Grassland Conservation Practices to Wildlife," discusses Farm Bill conservation practices that apply to rangelands, with prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, range planting, and restoration of declining habitats showing some of the greatest benefits to wildlife. However, even as they provide great benefit, there can also be detrimental effects, which need additional research and study.
• The authors of Chapter 5, "Fish and Wildlife Benefits Associated with Wetland Establishment Practice," summarize the findings of studies conducted to document fish and wildlife response to wetlands creation and restoration practices.
• In Chapter 6, "Effects of Conservation Practices on Aquatic Habitats and Fauna," the authors examine the effects of National Resources Conservation Service defined conservation practices used as conservation measures for aquatic species and their habitats.
• The final chapter, "Using Adaptive Management to Meet Conservation Goals" summarizes new strategies and concepts to guide managers in reaching conservation goals.

"The complexities of fish and wildlife responses to various conservation practices under the Farm Bill make simple conclusions difficult," stated Dr. Michael Hutchins, executive director of TWS. "Responses by many taxa are virtually unknown. Additional research is needed if responses to practices are to be adequately understood, and then used for effective planning and implementation."

About The Wildlife Society

TWS is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure the responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society. TWS also is an advocate for science-based wildlife policy. For more information visit www.wildlife.org

Contact Info:

Laura Bies
Tel : 301-897-9770 ext. 308

Website : the Wildlife Society