Conserving wetlands in agroecosystems can sustain aerial insectivore productivity and survival

Abstract

Agricultural intensification simplifies natural landscapes and frequently results in the loss of biodiversity. Wetlands are highly productive and may offset these losses, but the amount of wetland area needed to support declining avian species on farmland is unknown. Using an avian aerial insectivore, the Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)), we tested whether a gradient of pond area (visible surface water in wetland basins within 500 m of nest boxes; range 0.2%–30% pond area) at cropland and grassland sites was related to aquatic insect biomass, reproductive success, and adult female or nestling body condition. Aquatic insect biomass was ∼2–8 times higher at the cropland sites with intermediate (5.2%) pond areas than at sites with the highest (15.6%) and lowest (0.2%) pond areas. Swallow clutch initiation date was ∼3–4 days earlier, and nestling body condition and model-predicted first-year survival were ∼10% higher among cropland sites with more pond area and were comparable to birds hatched at grassland sites. Loss of ponds due to agricultural drainage can reduce aquatic insect prey during the breeding season with apparent individual and demographic consequences for insectivorous birds. Overall, the results suggest that where wetlands are conserved, intensive croplands can sustain Tree Swallow populations.