Ecological value of different vegetated strip types in providing valuable insect-rich habitats for grey partridge chicks

The intensification and specialisation of agriculture has contributed to farmland wildlife decline, including birds. Grey partridge is a species which experienced significant decline across Europe in recent decades. Chick survival rate key determinant grey population change depends essentially on the availability insect food. In this study, ground-dwelling canopy-dwelling insects were collected using pitfall trapping sweep netting methodologies, respectively, different strip types an area established for conservation partridge. aim was further our understanding value vegetated providing insect-rich habitats chicks. Overall, wildflower (WS) provided greatest abundance. Significantly more found WS, natural regeneration (NS) leguminous strips (LS) than grass (GS). Canopy-dwelling also significantly abundant WS compared all other types. This study highlights that WSs may represent important food chicks sowing these therefore play role decreasing chick mortality supporting conservation. It demonstrates still provide strip-specific taxa, addition valuable resources. recommends complex mosaic resources partridge, such as plant food, nesting overwinter cover.