Field-scale management strongly affects avian communities and the potential for bird-mediated ecosystem services and disservices in vineyards

Reconciling biodiversity and agriculture is crucial for conservation and sustainable production. Viticulture impacts on ecosystems, and birds, which are highly sensitive to human-induced changes, play key roles in vineyards. Birds may be affected by in-field management, but most studies have focused on larger spatial scales. Understanding field-level effects is fundamental: adjusting field-scale management to accommodate biodiversity needs can be feasible and easy to incorporate into conservation schemes. We analysed the effects of parcel (homogeneous management unit of vineyards) characteristics/management on the abundance of avian functional groups and species richness. We sampled bird communities and vineyards characteristics (both management- and landscape-related ones) along 43 linear transects in Italy, in May-June 2024. We grouped birds into woody vegetation-dwelling insectivores, ground/grass-dwelling insectivores, seed eaters, and potential grape eaters. We modelled species richness and abundance of different groups (occurrence for granivores) in relation to parcel characteristics. Irrigation was negatively associated with species richness, vegetation-dwelling insectivores and granivores. Row tillage and use of herbicides along rows negatively impacted on vegetation-dwelling insectivores, likely reducing habitats and resources. Alternate mowing promoted granivores and reduced potential grape eaters. Ground vegetation promoted granivores when 10–25 cm-high, and potential grape eaters and species richness at 25–40 cm-height. Bare ground cover positively affected granivores and species richness, likely increasing food accessibility. Alternate mowing (every second inter-row), retaining some bare ground patches and reducing row tillage and herbicide applications represent a win-win solution, promoting both bird conservation and potential ecosystem services provided by avian species to viticulture.