Kooistra, Esmee Ans (2026) Evaluating Meadow Bird Management on Dairy Farms in Friesland: Insights and Opportunities for Improvement - A Social-Ecological Systems Analysis. Bachelor thesis, Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL).
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Abstract
Meadow bird populations in the Netherlands, particularly in Friesland, have experienced substantial declines despite decades of conservation efforts. As Friesland contains one of the most important breeding areas for species such as the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), understanding the factors that influence successful meadow bird management is essential. This research therefore examines which ecological, social, institutional and other broad shaping factors enable or constrain successful meadow bird management on dairy farms in Friesland, and identifies opportunities for improvement. A Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework was applied to analyze the interactions between ecological, social, institutional and broader economic and environmental factors. This research used a mixed-methods case study approach, which combined semi-structured interviews (farmers and experts) with field observations, and desk research. The results demonstrate that successful meadow bird management depends on the interaction between ecological, social, and institutional factors (and more) rather than individual factors in isolation. Ecological measures such as high water levels, herb-rich grasslands, and wetland areas support breeding success, while agricultural intensification, biodiversity loss, and predation constrain it. Farmer motivation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration encourage participation, while economic pressures and volunteer shortages create constraints. Institutional support through subsidies and agrarian collectives enables and supports management, but policy limitations, administrative burdens, and insufficient compensation reduce their success. This research therefore concludes that meadow bird management/conservation should be approached as a SES in which the ecological outcomes depend on the alignment of ecological, social, and institutional processes and interactions. Several bottlenecks, leverage points and recommendations are identified to improve meadow bird management outcomes and support the recovery of meadow bird populations in Friesland.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Name supervisor: | Garzon Lopez, C.X. |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jun 2026 10:33 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Jun 2026 10:33 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/797 |
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