The introduction of subsidies for grassland conservation in the Italian Alps coincided with population decline in a threatened grassland species, the Corncrake Crex crex

Capsule We analysed Corncrake population trends between 1997 and 2012 and evaluated changes before and after the introduction of subsidies for grassland conservation in 2000, which indirectly promoted unfavourable mowing practices over most grasslands in Trento province. According to both early and late season counts, the species has significantly declined in the study area since the early 2000s. Agri-environmental subsidies that are not adapted to the ecological requirements of the species may fail to achieve conservation objectives.