Pest control can be a valuable ecosystem service provided to agricultural producers by native raptor species. However, a limitation of the ability of raptors to provide these services can be the lack of availability of appropriate nesting structures in many agricultural regions, which limits the densities of many raptors during their breeding (and agricultural growing) seasons, and subsequently the impact they can have on pest populations. For example, although both Barn Owls and American Kestrels are present (at low densities), during the spring and summer in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, few nesting structures (e.g., tree cavities, old barns) still exist in this landscape. Thus, relatively few raptors are currently able to breed in this region, despite plenty of food resources.
To alleviate this problem, we have initiated a program to provide landowners in the region, particularly farmers and rice mill operators who store grains in large quantities, with nest boxes for both Barn Owls and American Kestrels with the long-term goals of increasing these native predators’ densities, providing “free” pest control, and hopefully reducing the need for pesticide or other toxic chemical application. We then study the economic benefits of these predators and the effects on regional raptor populations.
To alleviate this problem, we have initiated a program to provide landowners in the region, particularly farmers and rice mill operators who store grains in large quantities, with nest boxes for both Barn Owls and American Kestrels with the long-term goals of increasing these native predators’ densities, providing “free” pest control, and hopefully reducing the need for pesticide or other toxic chemical application. We then study the economic benefits of these predators and the effects on regional raptor populations.
