Threats - LIFE EUROBUSTARD

Threats

Agricultural intensification

The shift from traditional, extensive farming to intensive agriculture has caused major habitat loss for the Great and Little Bustard and other farmland birds...

Collision

Collisions with power lines, fences, roads, and other man-made structures are a major cause of mortality for Great Bustards. Due to their limited frontal vision and large body size,...

Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation

Both, the Great and Little Bustard face serious threats from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation due to human activities. Expanding infrastructure — including power lines,...

Predation

Predation is a natural part of ecosystems, but human activities have increased its impact on bustards. Domestic animals such as feral or free-ranging dogs and pigs,...

Antrhopogenic disturbance

As ground-nesting and ground-roosting birds, Great and Little Bustards are highly sensitive to human disturbance. Activities such as road traffic, tourism, hunting,...

Climate change

Climate change poses both direct and indirect threats to bustards. Rising temperatures, heatwaves, and droughts can reduce activity, foraging, and breeding success,...

Awareness

Low public awareness is a major barrier to effective bustard conservation. Despite their threatened status, bustards are not widely recognized or valued,...

Legal obstacles

Effective bustard conservation is often hindered by unclear bureaucratic responsibility and weak coordination for habitat management. Many suitable habitats fall under vague land classifications,...

Protecting Great and Little Bustards

Threats are pushing Great and Little Bustards into decline — discover how targeted conservation actions are helping to protect these species and their habitats.