Effects of fen management on bird communities in north-eastern Germany

Fens and their associated bird species assemblages have undergone dramatic declines in recent decades. Given that many remaining or restored fens are currently lying fallow, an important question is which management regime, if any, is most effective in preserving fen-typical species. Against this background, we here investigate the effects of five management regimes (intensive grassland, moist meadows, summer-harvested sites, winter-harvested sites, fallows) on bird communities in riverine fens in north-eastern Germany. Summer-harvested sites, resembling the historical management of wet meadows, were overall most effective to promote fen-typical bird species, while intensive grassland management was inappropriate. However, some species of conservation concern had their strongholds in other management types such as winter-harvested sites and fallows. Thus, owing to species-specific differences, a mixture of different management regimes is necessary to conserve the full range of fen-typical species. Managing a higher proportion of moist fallows than is currently the case seems to benefit conservation, as long as enough fallows remain. Our study also shows that a successful restoration of fen habitat for associated bird species relies on the realization of appropriate water levels.