[veddox]

Your first point is partly correct, but your conclusion isn't.

The authors split up their results by country to show exactly the differences you mention. However, you have to keep in mind that the EU Common Agricultural Policy applies to all these countries, and actively promotes large-scale intensive agriculture. Bird collapses after a country joins the EU have been shown, for example in the Czech Republic [1]. So yes, while the magnitude may vary, the negative trend is a Europe-wide phenomenon.

There's also been a lot of research done on what aspects of farming cause declines [2]. It's partly species-specific, but the three major causes are: loss of semi-natural habitat area (e.g. hedges, fallows), disturbance mortality (e.g. from harvesting), and pesticides (often mediated through the loss of insects as food source).

[1] https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12585 [2] e.g. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270919000480, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14400, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13531, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2003.06.004

[ExoticPearTree]

The real danger I think is in the decrease of insect population. Anecdotally, 15-20 years ago, a longer trip throughout the country (2-400km) the windshield would be littered with dead insects, now very very few insects hit the windshield.

Is there a study about the effects of decreased pollination?

[veddox]

> The real danger I think is in the decrease of insect population.

That is certainly one of the most important issues. However, habitat loss is even more critical (not only but also because it also decreases insect numbers).

> Is there a study about the effects of decreased pollination?

Pollination and other ecosystem services have been heavily studied in the last decade. Putting precise numbers on it is tricky though, because there are so many context-specific factors that play a role. However, this is one important global study that shows a clear effect of pollination on yield: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0121

[cookingmyserver]

I used to think the same thing until I started riding a motorcycle. I quickly came to the realization that the primary reason I was seeing less insects on my windshield was because of improved aerodynamics.

I am sure that there has also been a major decline in insect population as well though contributing to it.

[hellgas00]

Can you elaborate if possible on the comment made about the EU Common Agricultural Policy's effects of promoting large scale intensive agriculture. Specifically what policy attributes support it.

[veddox]

Principally the direct payments. Farmers in the EU get a certain amount of money for every hectare of land they farm. This accounts for 40% of all CAP payments, and disproportionately benefits large farms, as they not only get much more money but also benefit from economies of scale.

Adding to that, compulsory environmental regulations are quite lax, while voluntary environmental measures are often poorly recompensed, and are thus economically not viable.

See here for some further reading: https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10080 (There's lots more, but this should be a good starting point.)

[lapinot]

The objectives of the CAP are very much industrial and monetary in their orientation, seeing agriculture as a resource extraction activity and definitely not as any kind of land or biodiversity management. First goal is particularly crispy in this regard (number must go up, machine good, human labor bad).

> 1. increase productivity, by promoting technical progress and ensuring the optimum use of the factors of production, in particular labor;

> 2. ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural Community;

> 3. stabilize markets;

> 4. secure availability of supplies;

> 5. provide consumers with food at reasonable prices.