ABSTRACT

Bird damage is a serious problem for many fruit growers. Utilizing nest boxes to attract natural predators of fruit-eating birds is frequently effective in lowering bird damage, as well as increasing fruit marketability. The adoption of a conservation practice, however, depends on a grower’s level of interest. What is the level of interest in nest boxes, and how do growers perceive the influence of natural predators on the farm ecosystem? To answer these questions we conducted an online national survey of cherry and blueberry growers focusing on potential interactions between key farm variables. We found a surprising consistency in perceptions of the functioning of the farm ecosystem and a high level of agreement on how natural predators affect other production factors. Growers typically perceived nest boxes to lower bird damage and pest pressure, and to raise fruit quality and income. They also indicated a significant interest in installing nest boxes, and strong agreement that extension and outreach related to the costs, benefits and timing of implementation of nest boxes would be helpful.

对许多水果种植者来说，鸟类的伤害是一个严重的问题。利用巢箱吸引食果鸟的天然天敌通常可以有效地降低禽鸟的伤害，并提高水果的适销性。但是，采用保护措施取决于种植者的兴趣水平。对巢箱的兴趣水平如何？种植者如何看待自然捕食者对农场生态系统的影响？为了回答这些问题，我们对樱桃和蓝莓种植者进行了在线全国调查，重点研究了关键农场变量之间的潜在相互作用。我们发现对农场生态系统功能的认识令人惊讶地一致，并且在自然捕食者如何影响其他生产要素方面达成了高度共识。种植者通常认为巢箱可以降低鸟类的伤害和害虫的压力，并提高水果品质和收入。他们还表示对安装巢箱非常感兴趣，并强烈同意，与巢箱实施的成本，收益和时间有关的扩展和推广将有所帮助。