See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/369943443

Ecological Role and Ecosystem Services of Birds: A Review

Article in International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · April 2023

DOI: 10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i61800

CITATIONS READS

31 11,087

8 authors, including:

Mathialagan Mariyappan G K Dinesh

Dcotor of Philosopy at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University SRM Institute of Science and Technology
19 PUBLICATIONS 115 CITATIONS 88 PUBLICATIONS 225 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Mangayarkarasi Sankar
Sethu Bhaskra Agricultural College and Research Foundation
7 PUBLICATIONS 35 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by G K Dinesh on 11 April 2023.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Ecological Role and Ecosystem Services of Birds: A Review. Mathialagan Mariyappan, Meena Rajendran,
Sarathkumar Velu, Alfred Daniel Johnson, G. K. Dinesh, Kumaravel Solaimuthu, Maheshwaran Kaliyappan,
Mangayarkarsi Sankar. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, Volume 13, Issue 6, Page 76-87;
DOI: 10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i61800 Full text can be availed from Researchgate - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/G-K-Dinesh

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

Volume 13, Issue 6, Page 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

ISSN: 2581-8627
(Past name: British Journal of Environment & Climate Change, Past ISSN: 2231–4784)

Ecological Role and Ecosystem

Services of Birds: A Review
Mathialagan Mariyappan a#*, Meena Rajendran a#,
Sarathkumar Velu a#, Alfred Daniel Johnson b†,
G. K. Dinesh c‡, Kumaravel Solaimuthu a#,
Maheshwaran Kaliyappan a# and Mangayarkarsi Sankar a#
a
Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural College and Research Foundation, Karaikudi-630 306,
Tamil Nadu, India.
b
Ben Gurion University, Israel-8499000, India.
c
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India.

Authors’ contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. All authors read and approved the final
manuscript.

Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/IJECC/2023/v13i61800

Open Peer Review History:

This journal follows the Advanced Open Peer Review policy. Identity of the Reviewers, Editor(s) and additional Reviewers,
peer review comments, different versions of the manuscript, comments of the editors, etc are available here:
https://www.sdiarticle5.com/review-history/98125

Received: 01/02/2023
Accepted: 03/04/2023
Review Article
Published: 11/04/2023

ABSTRACT

Birds play many roles, including predators, pollinators, scavengers, seed dispersers, pests,
predators, nutrient cycling, ecosystem engineers, and many other services. However, the global
decline in bird populations means that the ecosystem services provided by these birds are also
declining [1]. The services birds provide are ecologically and economically important, but are not
adequately appreciated due to insufficient information. Therefore, this review article aims to
elucidate the role of birds in the agro-ecosystem and their benefits to humans in order to promote
their conservation. Healthy bird populations and their habitats would help protect various ecological
services that would ultimately improve human well-being.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
#
Assistant Professor;
†
Post Doctoral Fellow;
‡
Research Scholar;
*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected];

Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

Keywords: Agricultural ornithology; ecosystem services; conservation; insectivores; pest control by

birds.

1. INTRODUCTION has become an important tool for biodiversity

conservation and for identifying conservation
Birds play a very important role in ecosystems. actions in areas of high human and animal
Birds contribute to all four types of ecosystem pressure, especially for aquatic resources. Birds
services, namely provisioning, regulating, are rightly called bio-indicators of nature [7]. The
cultural, and supporting [2] (Fig. 1). Ecosystem agricultural ecosystem in intensively cultivated
services provide direct and indirect benefits to field areas in India posseses a large number of
humans through various types of resources and fish, dairy, honey bee and poultry farms
processes. Bird populations are indirectly also dispersed among farmlands. Such farms provide
directly helpful to human health by serving as additional food sources to birds fish, animal
bio-indicators, pollinators, seed dispersers, feeds, bees, nectar and fruit trees or fruits. Thus,
predators, scavengers and ecosystem engineers agricultural birds include granivorous,
through their behaviour and the services frugivorous, nectarivorous, insectivorous,
provided by bird products [3,4] (Fig. 1). They are carnivorous and omnivorous species [8,9]. Few
an important group of vertebrates in different frugivorous, omnivorous and granivorous species
habitats and ecosystems of the world and are are capable of reproducing efficiently in agro-
important components of the food chain [2]. Birds ecosystems leading to the development of large
are an essential part of the food web and nutrient populations and sometimes causing an economic
cycling and play an important role in human life loss in agricultural production by causing
culturally, socially, scientifically, and as a food damage to different crops and orchards. In
source [5]. Birds are known as one of the most contrast, Carnivorous and insectivorous species
important species groups for biodiversity are less abundant and have been found useful
conservation. They keep the environment clean as they keep a persuasive check on insect and
by acting as scavengers, protect the plant rodent pests of agricultural crops. With this
community by controlling pests and other vermin, above background in this paper, the role of birds
pollinate the plants, support better plant survival in the ecosystem, especially in agricultural areas,
through seed dispersal, and provide nutrients to is reviewed, and suggestions are made for future
the environment [6]. Bird community assessment research on bird conservation strategies.

Fig. 1. Ecological role and ecosystem services of birds [10]

77
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

2. BIRDS AS BIO-INDICATORS 3. BIRDS AS POLLINATORS

Birds are potential bio-indicators for any Bird-plant interactions in ecosystems and
ecosystem [11]. Birds play an important role in agricultural ecosystems play a major role and
assessing environmental impacts upstream and have implications for pollination and seed
downstream. Birds are used to assess dispersion [25]. Many wild birds play a very
ecosystem quality. Long-term monitoring of bird important role in food production because of their
populations indicates changes in natural and pollination behaviour [26]. For several plant or
man-made ecosystems. It helps to maintain the tree species, pollination is carried out by many
biodiversity of the region and is also an indicator Nectarivorus species (Family: Nectariniidae) that
of minor changes in biodiversity [12]. Bird feed mainly on nectar. Exclusive pollinators such
diversity is an important ecological tool that as bees, birds, and bats play different roles in
serves as an important indicator for qualitative fruit formation in different wild and domesticated
and quantitative assessment of different habitats. plants [27]. The most important pollinators in the
Birds respond to any kind of change in their ecosystem are bees, flies, and buzzing birds,
environmental conditions and therefore are used while pollinators from the lepidopteran group are
as bio-indicators [13]. Birds are sensitive to present but less abundant. Bird pollination is
changes in the environment and therefore most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions
indicate early warnings. Mostly, waterfowl are where flowers and nectar are available
used as bio-indicators of wetland conditions at throughout the year to support pollination by
both local and regional scales [14]. The diversity nectarivorous birds [28]. Globally, a total of 920
of bird populations serves as a strong indicator of bird species are involved in pollination [2].
the overall health of an ecosystem [15]. Birds are Examples of pollinator birds include
considered good indicators of environmental hummingbirds, sunbirds, false sunbirds, flower
quality and are often used to monitor peepers, white-eyes, honeyeaters, lories, and
environmental and ecosystem health and as honeycreepers [29]. Sunbirds and spider hunters
bioindicators for inhabited areas [16]. Birds are are the most important insect groups among
indicator species for forest habitat quality [17] pollinator birds in Africa and Asia. Honey eaters
and respond to changes in habitat structure and are important pollinators [28]. About 5% of food
are therefore useful indicators for conservation and medicinal plants are benefited from such
management at regional and landscape scales pollinator birds.
[16]. Birds are good sentinel species because
they are observable, sensitive to toxicants, and In India, many studies show that birds such as
live in a variety of trophic positions [18]. The black drongo, mynas, crows, thrushes, rose-
unsustainable agropractices in many developing ringed parakeets, golden-backed woodpeckers,
nations caused direct and indirect pollution [10], bulbuls, flower-peckers, titmice, and lorikeets
in this scenario birds could be used as visit and pollinate flowers [30]. In total, more than
bioindicators in various cases of environmental 290 bird species are involved in pollination and
pollution, such as raptor population decline seed dispersion, including sunbirds, mynas,
caused by DDT [19], pollution caused by mining starlings, and oriental white-eyes, which are
activities [20], and radioactive events such as the frequent visitors and probably the most important
Chernobyl disaster [21]. Many bird species are pollinators among the avifauna [31]. Few
sensitive to pollution and are indicators of human attempts have been made to evaluate the
health risks from pollution [14]. Bird populations services of plant and insect pollinators in
are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, economic terms, and few attempts have focused
and fragmentation [22]. Some anthropogenic on birds [32].The role of birds as pollinators has
activities and the release of pesticides and tremendous positive impacts on the ecosystem
chemicals in the environment are dangerous to and agroecosystem by maintaining biodiversity
bird populations [23]. In addition to climate through pollination behaviours that sustain plant
change, the use of plastics, radioactive materials, species that have direct and indirect benefits to
oil, noise, etc., also plays an important role in the humans and other organisms.
sustainability of birds [24]. If birds depend on a
habitat that functions in a certain way, bird 4. BIRDS AS SEED DISPERSING AGENTS
population trends can provide information about
how well the ecosystem is functioning [6]. The Bird foraging and seed dispersion play an
bird population is a sensitive indicator of pollution important role in the ecosystem. Seed dispersal
levels in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems [16]. is critical to the ecosystem for maintaining

78
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

biodiversity, species distribution, population mouthparts), by dropping (the seeds are

dynamics, and ecological balance in the scattered along with the droppings), by sticking
ecosystem. Birds disseminate the seeds of many the seeds to their bodies or feet with small hooks
tree and plant species that are of immediate use or spikes made from the seed structure. Birds
to humans, whether for medicine, food, timber, or play an important role in plant dispersal by eating
other purposes [33]. These services are mainly a variety of berries and disposing of their waste
observed in frugivorous bird species, which along with the berry seeds. The birds provide
include nearly 48 families (1/3 of all living bird good fertilization with their droppings and provide
species) that feed exclusively on fruits [29]. Birds good growing conditions for the seeds [43].
spread seeds over a much greater distance than
other dispersal media such as wind [34]. In 5. BIRDS AS PEST CONTROLLING
natural ecosystems, birds are important AGENTS (PREDATOR)
dispersers of plant seeds, promoting and
maintaining biodiversity and community structure Predators are one of the most important extrinsic
[35]. Birds are one of the most important seed factors acting on animal populations and are a
dispersers of about 80,000 species of strong selective force in the evolution of form and
angiosperms, of which about 25,000 are trees, function [44]. Birds are dangerous predators with
shrubs, and herbaceous plants [36]. In addition, the ability to pounce on unsuspecting animals.
birds contribute to reforestation in deforested They attack insects, reptiles, turtles, and worms
areas by helping in dispersing and germinating [45]. Eagles, hawks, hawks, owls, kites, and
seeds, thereby reducing the cost of reforestation buzzards are some birds of prey. They are
[37]. Birds provide an important ecosystem grouped under the term birds of prey. The
service by promoting forest growth, which will American vulture (Andean condor), Vultur
help mitigate climate change in the future, and gryphus, is the heaviest and largest bird of prey
they provide a number of other services that in the world. Integrated pest management uses
primarily benefit humans. all available techniques to reduce the occurrence
of pests before they cause economic damage
Birds help in the propagation of plant species by and to provide economic benefits to farmers.
acting as seed dispersers [11]. Seed dispersal is One of these techniques is biological control,
a process that controls long-term plant which is a major concern for farmers and an
community dynamics and vegetation recovery in important ecosystem service provided by a
human-disturbed habitats [38] Birds play an variety of organisms and is expected to be a
important role in maintaining and restoring plant sustainable solution for the agro-ecosystem [46].
communities as seed dispersers [39]. An Birds aid farmers by reducing invertebrate crop
important function of frugivorous birds is seed pests, yet they are seldom used in Integrated
dispersion and pollination [3]. Seed dispersal by Pest Management (IPM) practices [47; 48]. The
birds is thought to significantly affect the patterns use of avian groups to control insects and other
of ecological and genetic diversity of many plant pests in the agroecosystem also causes damage
species [40]. Seeds can adhere to the feathers of to other valuable plants that have higher
birds through structures on the seed. Birds carry economic value. Recent studies have shown that
seeds, such as those of the mistletoe owl, by insectivorous birds, which feed mainly on insect
carrying them on their beaks after feeding [41]. populations, play an important role in various
agroecologies [3; 49].
The dispersal of seeds by birds is called
ornithochory and falls under the group of Insectivorous birds are observed in agricultural
zoochory, which means seed dispersal by ecosystems (Table 1) and reduce pest
animals [42]. Most ornithochores (plants with infestations in many agricultural and horticultural
seeds disseminated by birds) have conspicuous crops such as apples, broccoli, cacao, coffee,
diaspores that are attractive to fruit-eating birds corn, kale, grapes, and oil palms. For example,
such as thrushes, pigeons, barbets [50] reported that birds reduce pest infestations
(Capitonidae), toucans, and hornbills and increase yield by 66 percent in Dutch apple
(Bucerotidae). They all either excrete the hard orchards. Similarly, researchers in Borneo
parts containing the embryo or regurgitate those reported that pest control by birds prevented 9 to
damaged ones. Birds disperse the seeds in a 26 percent of fruit losses in oil palm plantations
variety of ways, e.g. when feeding, when [51]. Birds are among the important and efficient
transferring (they fly with the seed fruit from the arthropod predators in agroecosystems, with 50
second floor and may drop it on their percent feeding primarily on insects and 75

79
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

percent occasionally feeding on invertebrates where birds as prominent predators control these
[52]. Studies of predation on insect pests by birds parasites, resulting in healthier and more
in natural and agricultural areas have found that productive cows [60]. In many ways, bird control
invertebrate reductions by birds range from 20 to of parasites on livestock is even more effective
70 percent [53]. This predation by birds not only than pesticides.
reduces the number and incidence of herbivores
but also significantly reduces foliar damage and 6. BIRDS AS PESTS
plant mortality and can result in up to a 60
percent increase in crop yield or fruit production Birds play a dual role in agro-ecosystems, both
[52]. as pests and as biological control agents: some
birds adversely affect agricultural products by
A study reported that the presence of large feeding on crops while foraging. They cause
numbers of insect herbivores reduced the great damage, especially to ripening cereals,
number of insect pests, resulting in less fruits and vegetables and also to young
herbivore damage in coffee plantations in seedlings. Birds cause severe damage to various
Guatemala [54]. [55] reported that the reduction stages of crops and reduce yield (Table 2) [65].
in coffee berry borer damage and the presence Most bird species are insectivores and play an
of insect herbivores in coffee plantations important role in the biological control of pest
increased coffee yield and farmer income in populations. Thus, they are beneficial to farmers
Jamaica. In addition, nests of great tits in apple in agriculture and also perform various functions
orchards lead to greater numbers of birds in the such as nutrient suppliers, which mainly increase
area feeding on caterpillars that can cause soil fertility and predators against rodents.
damage to crops, resulting in significantly higher Insectivorous birds have been shown to be
crop yields [54; 56]. The use of birds in pest successful biological control agents in some
control can eliminate the need for pesticide use, agro-ecosystems [66]. The incidence of non-
limiting the use of potentially hazardous insect pests on various crops grown in India has
chemicals and reducing costs to farmers by been estimated to be about 30 percent of the
eliminating the need to purchase harmful crop production losses due to insects and non-
pesticides. insect pests. Non-insect pests are enormous and
can cause significant damage to our
Birds control not only invertebrate pests but also agriculture by severely damaging crops in the
vertebrate pests such as rodents. Field trials field and storing grains in warehouses.
conducted in Israel have shown that a trained The most common non-insect pests include
barn owl scares small rodents and significantly mites, rodents, birds, wild boars, elephants, etc.
reduces the consumption of seeds by rodents [67].
[57]. Owls have also been shown to control rat
populations in various field crops such as wheat, 7. BIRDS AS SCAVENGERS AND
rice, and corn. Oil palm growers in Malaysia use SANITARY AGENTS
barn owl nests to control rodents in the field
because rodents develop resistance to The ability of birds to scavenge on waste is an
rodenticides such as warfarin and bromadiolone important means of waste disposal in many
[58]. Previously, a reciprocal relationship places, helping to prevent disease outbreaks that
between birds and livestock has been noted to can occur when animal carcasses accumulate
be beneficial to humans as well. Because birds [74]. Scavenging birds are common in agro-
are predators, many birds settle on livestock ecosystems and play an important role in
such as cattle and feed on veterinary pests that foraging, nutrient cycling, and waste removal [2].
live on the animals. This behaviour is most Vultures play a role in decomposing carcasses.
commonly observed in cattle egrets, which are Diurnal raptors such as eagles, hawks, and kites,
particularly known to survive in this manner [59]. and corvids such as ravens and crows are also
The birds benefit from a readily available food common scavengers [75]. Obligate scavengers
source and the animals benefit from the are rare in vertebrates but well-known in
elimination of harmful parasites because of the invertebrates, such as burying beetles, yellow
birds. In many parts of the world, people rely on bugs, and blowflies. Fly larvae are also common
cows for meat (food) and milk. Milk production scavengers of organic material at the bottom of
declines and cows become very weak when freshwater. For example, the midge fly,
infested with ticks and other parasites. This is Tokunagayusurika akamusi, for example, is a
confirmed by a study conducted in Pakistan, scavenger at the bottom of lakes whose adults

80
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

almost never eat and live only for a few weeks. carcasses can become hosts for certain
Scavenging can be a direct and indirect method pathogens and thus be vectors of disease
of disease transmission. Scavengers of infected themselves [75].

Table 1. List of predatory birds in agro ecosystem

S. No. Pest Predator Reference

1. Garden snail Crow pheasant (Centropus sinensis)
(Achatina fulica) [4; 33; 46; 49; 52;
Caterpillars, Insects, 53; 55; 61; 62; 63;
Lizards, Young mice 64]
2. Crabs House crow (Corvus splendens)
3. Grasshoppers Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Crow pheasant (Centropus sinensis)
Small green bee eater (Merops orientalis)
Blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Common myna (Acridotheris tristris)
Bank myna (Acridotheris ginginianus)
Indian tree pie (Dendrocitta vegabunda)
House crow (Corvus splendens)
Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
4. Moths and butterflies Magpie robin (Copsychus saularis)
(Caterpillars) Black drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis )
Jungle babble (Turdoides striatus)
5. Weevils Indian treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)
6. Aphid Large-pied wagtail (Motacilla
maderaspatensis)
7. Rats and mice Owl, Housecrow (Corvus splendens)
Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
8. Codling moth larvae Great tit (Parus major), blue tit (Cyanistes
caeruleus), marsh tit (Poecile palustris),
willow tit (Poecile montanus) and Pine
siskin (Spinus pinus)
9. Corn rootworms, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius
cutworms and weevils phoeniceus)

Table 2. The extent of bird damage in agricultural crops

S. Crop Stage of Birds The extent Reference

No. damage of loss (%)
1 Groundnut Ripening Crows 24 [63; 65; 68; 69;
2 Maize Sprouting Babblers, Crows, 20 70; 71; 72; 73;]
Doves
3 Mustard Ripening Crows, Parakeets 63
4 Pearl millet Ripening Parakeets, Sparrows, 10-100
Weaverbirds
5 Peas Ripening Pigeon 54
6 Pulses Sprouting Doves, Pigeons, 66
Parakeets, Sparrows
7 Rice Sprouting Cranes, Parakeets, 41
Ripening Saras, Sparrows, 26
Weaverbirds,
Sparrows, Weaverbirds
8 Sorghum Ripening Doves, Pigeons 12-85
9 Sunflower Sprouting Crows 65
Ripening Crows, Parakeets, 22
10 Wheat Sprouting Crows 17-20

81
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

Scavengers are very important agents in the important services provided by birds in an
ecosystem. Most bird species feed only on ecosystem that allows primary producers to
animal carcasses, ingesting them begin their work, which leads to the distress of
opportunistically when available, while the vulture primary consumers and leads to the colonization
is undoubtedly a known and obligate feeder of of the area by top predators and the
this species. Vultures provide one of the most maintenance of biodiversity [79]. The role of birds
important ecosystem services but are less in nutrient cycling has been demonstrated in
studied and underappreciated in the avifauna. many habitats to date. Because of their ability to
Through their scavenging, vultures and other fly and move through different habitats, birds can
carnivorous vertebrates contribute to waste transport nutrients from one place to another,
removal, disease regulation, and nutrient cycling which is especially important in areas where
[76]. Vulture birds keep the environment clean plant growth is limited by the availability of
and protect humans, livestock, and wildlife from nutrients. Birds contribute to nutrient cycling in all
infections and other contagious diseases by habitats, but most impressively in aquatic
quickly and efficiently disposing of carcasses in habitats [80].
the ecosystem. Vultures also have the ability to
resist and detoxify bacterial toxins in rotting [81] reported that seabirds are more likely to be
meat. Vultures' stomachs secrete extremely high found in coastal areas, where they process large
levels of acids that result in the killing of all amounts of food in a small space. In this way,
pathogenic bacteria through the consumption of seabirds transport nutrients from the aquatic
carcasses, thus reducing disease in the zone to the terrestrial zone. Large amounts of
ecosystem. In the Serengeti, vultures do guano deposits (rich in phosphates, nitrates and
excellent job-consuming hundreds of pounds of potassium) and excreta from birds can influence
carcasses per kilometre each year. In Yemen, plant growth and fast-growing vegetation to
vultures remove up to 25% of organic waste become more productive compared to lands
produced by humans in urban areas [77]. without birds. Removal of nesting seabirds
affects plant growth and plant communities [82;
In India, vulture populations are declining 83]. This ecosystem service is provided primarily
nowadays due to poisoned carcasses and less by waterfowl and other coastal birds which
food competition between wild dogs and rats for transfer nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial
carrion, leading to an increase in their population. ecosystem.
The increase in these potential disease vectors
(wild dogs and rats) led to the outbreak of rabies 9. BIRD CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
and dog attacks on humans and also the
outbreak of bubonic plague in western India, Despite global awareness of the conservation of
which killed 54 people in 1994. The decline in birds and their ecological importance, little work
vulture populations led to an increase in rabies has been done to protect the threatened or
cases and the death of about 48,000 people [74]. endangered avifauna in intensively cultivated
This clearly shows that the value of birds to lands, mainly agricultural areas. While observing
people is very high and underscores the the diversity and distribution of various endemic
immediate importance of a healthy avifauna to bird species in some areas of India, [84]
human and ecosystem benefits. suggested that the bird species may fall to
extinction in the areas where habitats are
8. ROLE OF BIRDS IN NUTRIENT destructed extensively. In India, particularly in an
CYCLING agricultural area, spraying indiscriminate and
heavy doses of herbicides and pesticides lead to
Bird faeces have significant value in agriculture. high mortality of frugivorous and predatory bird
In agriculture, bird droppings are used as species. The abundance of birds of prey has
fertilizer because they contain potassium, declined significantly due to food chain poisoning
nitrogen, phosphate and other nutrients. This can and habitat destruction. Woody habitats are often
easily convert to ammonia and serve as a good found supporting the highest abundance and
fertilizer for plants by contributing to the nitrogen species richness of birds in agricultural areas
content of the soil. The contribution of birds to [85]. There is hardly a lack of information
increasing soil fertility on farms is very limited. available on residue analysis in birds found in
Recently, it was shown that birds play a 38.0% agricultural habitats. Enhancing the benefits cost
global contribution in agriculture [78]. The of birds effectively may be possible by
transfer of nutrients and the formation of soils are encouraging the birds with some particular

82
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

beneficial, behavioural or functional trait [47]. It diverse ecosystem services by benefiting many
would be an aim of the agriculture ecosystem to living species and human welfare.
enhance birds with particular beneficial or
functional traits. The benefits of promoting ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
desirable birds species were confirmed when
intercropping sunflower in organic vegetable The authors are highly grateful to Dr. Sethu
crops was observed to increase the number and Kumanan, Chairman, Dr. K. Karunanithi,
foraging activity of the insectivorous bird species Principal, Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural College
that consumed pest species without inflicting any and Research Foundation and co-authors for
damage to crops and also get benefit because of their valuable suggestions and Mr. Makizhan for
sustainable agricultural productivity [86]. Other encouragement during the writing of paper.
approaches may include targeted control of
damage inflicting or pest species by habitat COMPETING INTERESTS
manipulation instead of unsystematic control
techniques which may affect the whole birds’ Authors have declared that no competing
community, like scaring devices, reducing interests exist.
agricultural intensification, providing resources to
advantageous bird species and promoting REFERENCES
diversity. An increase in agricultural birds’
species diversity may promote the species 1. Grimmet R, Inskipp C, Inskipp T. Birds of
responsible for pollination, whereas agricultural the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. Oxford
uniformity and intensification conversely may University Press and Christopher Helm,
enhance damage indirectly by reducing avian London. 2011;528.
species that could keep a check on agricultural 2. Whelan CJ, Wenny DG, Marquis RJ.
pests [87]. It is hardly possible to quantify the Ecosystem services provided by birds. Ann
costs and benefits of bird activities in the agro NY Acad Sci. 2008;1134:25–60.
ecosystem, and it is likely to reduce their damage 3. Sekercioglu CH. Increasing awareness of
potential and increase the chances of avian ecological function. Trends Ecol
ecosystem services provided by these Evol. 2006; 21(8):464-471.
fascinating creatures. 4. Wenny DG, DeVault TL, Johnson MD,
Cagan DK, Sekercioglu CH, Tomback D,
10. CONCLUSIONS Whelan CJ. On the need to quantify
ecosystem services provided by birds.
Birds play numerous key roles in agro Auk. 2011;128:1-14.19.
ecosystems. The seed dispersal behaviour of 5. Siva T, Neelanarayanan P. Diversity of
birds helps to maintain biodiversity and species avifauna observed and recorded in
richness through the distribution of numerous Thinnanur Lake in Tiruchirappalli District,
plant species in an ecosystem. In addition, their Tamil Nadu, India. Asian Journal of
scavenging behaviours in nature prevent various Conservation Biology. 2021;10(2): 308-
infectious diseases by cleaning local habitats of 316.
carcasses which may harbour pathogenic 6. Durairaj P, Maniarasan U, Nagarajan N.
microorganisms. The primary function of avian Study on avifaunal diversity from
predators in biological control programmes is to thiruthalaiyur lake tiruchirapalli forest
manage a variety of herbivorous pests, including division, Tamil Nadu. IOSR Journal of
invertebrate and vertebrate pests, and to boost Environmental Science Toxicology and
crop output and also avian predation is indirectly Food Technology. 2017;11(12):67-71.
reducing farmers’ expenses by avoiding 7. Priyanka S, Patode BS. Salve,
purchasing harmful pesticides. Other services Pawar RT. Avifaunal diversity status
like pollination behaviour also have significant and abundance of Siddheshwar
importance in sustaining the ecosystem and Reservoir, district Hingoli, Maharashtra,
human welfare. Most of the services provided by India. Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. 2021;
birds have economic and ecological values. In 8(12):47-55.
future research, policies focused on the 8. Mathialagan M, Ajithkumar R, Meena R,
conservation of avifauna, restoration and Manimozhi Selvi V, Mohan S, Tamilselvan
management of their habitats are highly needed. N. Avifaunal diversity of sugarcane
Conserving and maintaining healthy bird research station, Sirugamani,
populations and their habitats would preserve Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Journal of

83
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

Entomology and Zoology Studies. avifauna of temperate montane forests.

2022;10(4):109-116. Forest Ecology and Management.
9. Keerthika Murugan, Logadharsini 2008;256(5):1198-1208.
Vijayendran, Lusiya Mary Thangaraj, 18. Ferreira AP. Assessment of heavy metals
Mathialagan Mariyappan, Archana in Egretta thula. Case study: Coroa
Arunachalam, Meena Rajendran, Grande mangrove, Sepetiba Bay, Rio de
Kumaravel Solaimuthu. Studies on Janeiro, Brazil Brazilian. Journal of
diversity and distribution of avifauna in Biology. 2011;71(1):77–82.
Sethu Bhaskara agricultural college and 19. Henny CJ, Grove RA, Kaiser JL, Johnson
research foundation, Karaikudi, Tamil BL. North American osprey populations
Nadu. The Pharma Innovation Journal. and contaminants: historic and
2022;11(12):1599-1613. contemporary perspectives. Journal of
10. Dinesh GK, Priyanka B, Anokhe A, Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part
Ramesh PT, Venkitachalam R, Sri KSK, B. 2010;13(7-8): 579-603.
Abinaya S, Anithaa V, Soni R, Keerthana 20. Wayland M, Kneteman J, Crosley R. The
Sri KS, Abinaya S, Anithaa V, Soni R. American dipper as a bioindicator of
Ecosystem services and ecological role of selenium contamination in a coal mine-
birds in insect and pest control, in: Soni, affected stream in West-Central Alberta,
R., Suyal, DC., Goel, R. (Eds.), Canada. Environmental Monitoring and
Plant Protection: From Chemicals to Assessment. 2006;123:285–298.
Biologicals. De Gruyter, Germany. 21. Moller AP, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Rudolfsen G
2022;623. and Mousseau TA. Chernobyl birds have
11. Balasubramanyam VV, Imran Khan YD. smaller brains, PLoS ONE.
Avian fauna of the proposed wind power 2011;6(2):e16862.
project area At Chillavaripalli and Ellutla 22. Ceballosa G, Ehrlich PR, Dirzo R.
reserve forests. Journal of Entomology and Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth
Zoology Studies. 2016; 4(6):722-728. Mass extinction signaled by vertebrate
12. Jhenkar M, Jadeyegowda M, Kushalappa populationlosses and declines. Proc. Natl.
CG, Ramesh MN, Sathish BN. Bird Acad. Sci. 2017;E6089–E6096.
diversity across different vegetation types 23. Garcia-Fernandez AJ. Ecotoxicology,
in kodagu, Central Western Ghats, India. Avian. In book: Encyclopedia of Toxicology
International Journalof Zoology. (3rd edition). 2014;289-294.
2016;6(3):25-36. 24. Richard TC, Moore CJ, Vom Saal FS,
13. Padoa-Schioppa, Emilio, Baietto, Marco Swan SH. Plastics, the environment and
and Massa, Renato and Bottoniand human health: current consensus
Luciana. Bird communities as and future trends. Philosophical
bioindicators: The focal species concept in Transactions of the Royal Society B:
agricultural landscapes. Ecological Biological Sciences. 2009;364(1526):2153-
Indicators. 2006;6. 2166.
DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2005.08.006. 25. Lunberg J, Moberg F. Mobile link
14. Zhang WW, Ma JZ. Waterbirds as organisms and ecosystem functioning:
bioindicators of wetland heavy metal Implications for ecosystem resilience and
pollution. Procedia Environmental Science. management. Ecosystem. 2003;6:87-98.
2011;10:2769-2774. 26. Borges RM. Conservation of pollinator
15. Dendup P, Wangdi L, Jamtsho Y, services in rain forests. In: Conservation of
Kuenzang P. Bird diversity and Rainforests in India. In: Gupta AK, Kumar
conservation threats in Jigme Dorji A, Ramakantha V, et al. (Eeds.), ENVIS
National Park, Bhutan. Global Ecology and Publication, Wildlife Institute of India.
Conservation. 2021;30(2):e01771 2003;16:229-242.42.
16. Canterbury GE, Martin TE, Petit DR, Petit 27. Klein AM, Vaissiere BE, Cane JH, Steffan
LJ, Bradford DF. Bird communities and Dewenter I, Cunningham SA. Importance
habitat as ecological indicators of forest of pollinators in changing landscapes for
condition in regional monitoring. world crops. Proceedings of the Royal
Conservation Biology. 2000; 14(2):544- Society B, Biological Sciences.
558. 2007;274:303-313.
17. Moning C, J. Muller. Environmental key 28. Merino S, Nogueras I. Loquat Eriobotrya
factors and their thresholds for the japonica as a winter nectar source for birds

84
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

in central Spain. Ardeola. 2003;50(2):265- patterns and underlying

267. processes. Ornitologia
29. Mahendiran M, Azeez PA. Ecosystem Neotropical. 2012;23:9-14.
services of birds: A review of market and 41. Herse MR, Alice BW. Correction to:
non-market values. Entomol Ornithol Grassland fragmentation affects declining
Herpetol. 2008;7:209-213. tallgrass prairie birds most where large
30. Solomon RAJ, Rao SP. Pollination by bees amounts of grassland remain. Landscape
and passerine birds and seed dispersal by Ecology. 2021;36(3):943-944.
monkeys in the white teak (Gmelina 42. Lambers H. Frugivores and seed dispersal:
arborea) Roxb, a commercially important mechanisms and consequences for
timber tree species in the eastern ghats. biodiversity of a key ecological interaction.
Current Science. 2006;90:232-236. Biology Letters. 2021;321-323.
31. Balasubramanian P. Ecosystem services: 43. Tabur MA, Ayyaz Y. Ecological importance
nd
do we need birds?.BOU Proceedings; of birds. 2 International Symposium on
2012 Sustainable Development. Sarajevo,
32. Kellermann JL. Ecological and economic Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2010;560-565.
services provided by birds on Jamaican 44. Begon M, Townsend CA, Harper JA.
Blue Mountain Coffee Farms. Master of Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems.
Science in natural resources thesis, the Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell; 2005.
faculty of Humboldt State University. 45. Emmanuel Kingsley. Bird predators: What
2008;22(5):1177-1185. eat birds?. A-Z animals. 2022;1-5.
33. Asep A, Hesti L. Ecosystem services 46. Rusch A, Chaplin Kramer R, Gardiner
provided by birds in different habitats: In M.M, Hawro V, Holland J. Agricultural
International conference of Indonesian landscape simplification reduces natural
forestry researchers (INAFOR 11P-002); pest control: a quantitative synthesis. Agri
2011. Ecosys Env. 2026;221: 198-204.
34. Clark CJ, Poulsen JR, Bolker BM, Connor 47. Dinesh GK, Ramesh PT, Chitra N,
EF, Parker VT. Comparative seed Sugumaran MP. Ecology of birds and
shadows of bird, monkey and wind- insects in organic and conventional (In-
dispersed trees. Ecology. 2005; 86:2684- Organic) rice ecosystem. Int. J. Curr.
2694. Microbiol. Appl. Sci. 2018;7:1769–
35. Charalambidou I, Santamaria L. Field 1779.
evidence for the potential of water birds as 48. Dinesh GK. Ecology of birds and insects in
dispersers of aquatic organisms, Wetlands. organic and inorganic rice ecosystem.
2005;25:252-258. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
36. Mahendiran M, Azeez PA. Birds, habitat Coimbatore; 2017.
services, unsung functional values DOI:https://doi.org/doi:10.1515/978311077
National symposium on “Dryland Birds: 1558-018
Strategy for Conservation and 49. Maas B, Tscharntke T, Saleh S, Dwi Putra
Management’ GUIDE, Bhuj, India. D, Clough Y. Avian species identity drives
2015;123-127. predation success in tropical cacao
37. Wunderle JM. The role of animal seed agroforestry. J Appl Ecol. 2015;52(3):735-
dispersal in accelerating native forest 743.
regeneration on degraded tropical lands. 50. Mols CMM, Visser ME. Great tits can
Forest Ecology and Management. reduce caterpillar damage in apple
1997;99:223-235. orchards. J Appl Ecol. 2002;39:888-899.
38. Howe HF, Miriti MN. When seed dispersal 51. Koh LP. Birds defend oil palms from
matters. Bio Science. 2004;54(7):651-660. herbivorous insects. Ecol Appl.
39. Pejchar L, Pringle R, Ranganathan J, Zook 2008;18:821-825.
JR, Duran GF, Oviedo GC. Daily. Birds as 52. Whelan CJ, Sekercioglu CH, Wenny DG.
agents of seed dispersal in a Why birds matter: from economic
humandominated landscape in southern ornithology to ecosystem services. J
Costa Rica. Biological Conservation. Ornith. 2015;156: 227-238.
2008;141:536–544. 53. Jedlicka JA, Letourneau DK, Cornelisse
40. Karubian J, Browne L, Bosque C, Carlo T, TM. Establishing songbird nest boxes
Galetti M. Loiselle BA, Wikelski M. Seed increased avian insectivores and reduced
dispersal by neotropical birds: emerging herbivorous arthropods in a Californian

85
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

vineyard. USA, Conser Eviden. control and coffee yield. Ecol. Lett.
2014;11:34-38. 2013;16:1339–1347.
54. Greenberg R, Bichier P, Angon A.C, 67. Vishwavidyalaya D. Non-insect pests and
Macvean C, Perez R, Cano EB. The their management. Agriculture and
impact of avian insectivory on arthropods Environment. 2021;2(3): 1-7.
and leaf damage in some Guatemalan 68. Peer BD, Homan JH, Linz GM, Bleier WJ.
coffee plantations. Ecology. 2000;81: Impact of blackbird damage to sunflower:
1750-1755. bioenergetic and economic models.
55. Johnson M, Kellermann J, Stercho A. Pest Ecological Applications. 2003;13:248-256.
reduction services by birds in shade and 69. Tracey JP, Saunders G. Bird damage to
sun coffee in Jamaica, Animal the wine grape industry. Report to the
Conservation. 2010;13:140-147. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Department of
56. Mols CMM, Visser ME. Great tits (Parus Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, NSW
major) Reduce caterpillar damage in Agriculture, Orange; 2003.
commercial apple orchards. PLoS ONE. 70. Warburton LS, Perrin MR. The black-
2007;2(2): 2007. cheeked lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) as
57. Ori P, Sigalit N, Koby M, Shauli A, an agricultural pest in Zambia. Emu.
Alexandre R, Charter M. Izhaki I, Leshem 2006;106: 321-328.
Y. Three decades of satisfied Israeli 71. Kler TK. Studies on the avian community
farmers: barn owls (Tyto alba) as organization and foraging ecology in
Biological Pest Control of Rodents: relation to phenological changes in
Proc.28th Vertebr. Pest Conf. (D. M. important rabi and kharif crops of Punjab.
Woods, Ed.), Published at Univ. of Calif, Thesis submitted to the department of
Davis. 2018;94-203. Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University;
58. Duckett JE. Management of the barn owl 2010.
(Tytoalba javanica) as a predator of rats in 72. Tracey J.P, Bomford M, Hart Q, Saunders
oil palm (Elaeis quineensis) plantations in G, Sinclair R. Managing bird damage to
Malaysia. Birds of Prey Bulletin. fruit and other horticultural crops.
1991;4:1991. Canberra: Bureau of Rural Sciences; 2015.
59. Burnie D. Bird: The definitive visual guide. 73. Can-Hernandez G, Villanueva-Garcia C,
Doring Kindersley Limited, Great Britain, GordilloChavez EJ, Pacheco-Figueroa CJ,
London; 2007. Perez-Netzahual E, Garcia-Morales R.
60. Perveen F, Naqvi S.N.H and Yasmin N. Wildlife damage to crops adjacent to a
Ixodid ticksinfestation in livestock and their protected area in southeastern Mexico:
raditional control inN-WFP, Pakistan, farmers’ perceptions versus actual impact.
Pakistan J Zool, 2010; 42: 43-54. Human-Wildlife Interactions.
61. Regmi N. Role of Birds in Agricultural Pest 2019;13(3):423-438.
Control. Our Nature. 2003;1:68-70. 74. Markandya A, Taylor T, Longo A, Murty
62. Luck GW, Spooner PG. The importance of MNM, Murty S, Dhavala KK. Counting the
managing the costs and benefits of cost of vulture decline-an appraisal of the
bird activity for agricultural human health and other benefits of
sustainability. International Journal of vultures in India. Ecological economics.
Agricultural Sustainability. 2012;10(4):268- 2008;67(2):194-204.
288. 75. Read JL, Wilson D, Scavengers and
63. Kale M.A, Dudhe N, Kasambe R and detritivores of kangaroo harvest offcuts in
Bhattacharya P. Crop Depredation by arid Australia. Wildlife Research.
Birds in Deccan Plateau, India. 2004;31:51–56.
International Journal of Biodiversity. DOI:10.1071/WR02051
2014;10:1-8. 76. DeVault TL, Rhodes O.E and Shivik J.A.
64. Sekercioglu CH. Analysis: The economic Scavenging by vertebrates: behavioral,
value of birds; 2017. ecological and evolutionary perspectives
65. Suresh RJ, Kambrekar DN. Dual role of on an important energy transfer pathway in
birds in agriculture. Bioingene PSJ. terrestrial ecosystems. Oikos.
2021;1:1-5. 2003;102(2):225-234.
66. Karp DS, Mendenhall CD, Sandí RF, 77. Gangoso L, Agudo R, Anad on D, De la
Chaumont N, Ehrlich PR, Hadly EA, Daily Riva M.J, Suleyman A.S, Porter R, Jo and
GC. Forest bolsters bird abundance, pest Azar A.D. Reinventing mutualism between

86
 Mathialagan et al.; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 76-87, 2023; Article no.IJECC.98125

humans and wild fauna: Insights from 83. Bellingham PJ, Towns DR, Cameron EK,
vultures as ecosystem services providers. Davis JJ, Wardle DA, Wilmshurst JM,
Conservation. 2013;6(3):172-179. Mulder CPH. New Zealand island
78. Clay J. World agriculture and the restoration: Seabirds, predators, and the
environment: A commodity-by-commodity importance of history. NewZealand Journal
guide to impacts and practices. of Ecology. 2010;34(1):115-136.
Washington D.C.: Island Press; 2004. 84. Gaston AJ. Is habitat destruction in India
79. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and Pakistan beginning to affect the status
(2005).Ecosystems and Human Well- of endemic passerine birds? Journal of the
Being: Synthesis, Island Press, Bombay Natural History Society. The
Washington. 2005;155. Pharma Innovation Journal. 1984;81:636-
80. Anderson WB, Polis GA. Nutrient fluxes 641.
from water to land: seabirds affect plant 85. Jones GA, Sieving KE, Jacobson SK.
nutrient status on Gulf of California islands. Avian diversity and functional insectivory
Oecologia. 1999;118:324-332. on northcentral Florida farmlands.
81. Ellis JC. Marine birds on land: A Conservation Biology. 2005;19:1234-1245.
review of plantbiomass, species richness, 86. Jones GA, Sieving KE. Intercropping
and community compositionin seabird sunflower in organic vegetables to
colonies, Plant Ecol. 2005;181:227- augment bird predators of arthropods.
241. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.
82. Croll DA, Maron JL, Estes JA, Danner EM, 2006;117:171-177
Byrd GV. Introduced predators transform 87. Vandermeer J, Perfecto I, Philpott S.
subarctic islands fromgrassland to tundra. Ecological complexity and pest control in
Science. 2005;307:1959-1961. organic coffee production: uncovering an
DOI:https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.7 autonomous ecosystem service. Bio
04.201 Science. 2010;60:527-537.

© 2023 Mathialagan et al.; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Peer-review history:
The peer review history for this paper can be accessed here:
https://www.sdiarticle5.com/review-history/98125

87

View publication stats