Identification of arable farmland bird indicator species

Abstract: Indicator species are commonly used as a measure of ecosystem health, however,
the indicator species selection process often lacks scientific justification. Drawing on data
collected through the FRAMEwork project on Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster, England, we
identify potential farmland bird indicators and evaluate their suitability across a range of bird
community measures. Initial findings reveal that specific species can be used as indicators of
specialist farmland bird abundance, total bird abundance and diversity. However, no single
species effectively represents both farmland bird specialists and total bird abundance. These
results establish the basis for a novice-friendly farmland breeding bird monitoring scheme.