The missing link in food security: Why migratory species matter more than we thought

When avian influenza H5N1 swept across Eurasia and Americas in 2021-2022, killing millions of domestic poultry and devastating livelihoods, epidemiologists traced the outbreak patterns along well-established migratory flyways. It challenged conventional thinking about disease management: the solution wasn't just better biosecurity on farms but understanding the complex ecological networks that connect wild bird populations across continents.

This revelation exemplifies a growing recognition among policymakers and scientists that migratory species conservation and food security are not separate challenges, but interconnected systems requiring integrated solutions.

The economic case for integration

Research demonstrates that birds provide significant plant pest control services across agricultural systems. Insectivorous birds have been observed to reduce insect pest damage in various agricultural systems, such as apples, broccoli, cacao, coffee, corn, kale, grapes, and oil palm. Bird predation of plant pests benefits humans by suppressing insect pest populations and reducing pest damage to crops.

Studies show that birds can play a crucial role in controlling crop pests – for instance, pest abundance on brassica and cucurbit crops was significantly higher when birds were excluded than when they were allowed access. Research in coffee landscapes demonstrates how birds consume pest insects, and coffee provides bird habitat, creating mutually beneficial relationships between agriculture and biodiversity.

However, comprehensive global economic valuations of migratory species' contributions to agriculture remain limited, creating significant knowledge gaps for evidence-based policy decisions.

The One Health integration model

The convergence of conservation science with the One Health approach has created new frameworks for policy integration. FAO recognizes One Health as essential for addressing complex health challenges that occur at the interface between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

Migratory species serve multiple roles in this framework, acting as ecosystem service providers, disease surveillance sentinels, and indicators of environmental change. The CMS and FAO Scientific Task Force on avian influenza and wild birds has issued recommendations for managing disease risks while maintaining conservation objectives.

Climate change and adaptation

Climate change is disrupting the ecological relationships between migratory species and agricultural systems. However, adaptive management approaches incorporating habitat conservation show promise for maintaining both biodiversity and agricultural productivity.

Advanced monitoring technologies enable better integration of conservation and agricultural management. Satellite tracking and remote sensing provide data on species movements and habitat changes, informing both conservation strategies and agricultural planning decisions.

The Bonn convergence

The 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement represents a significant opportunity for advancing integrated approaches. The meeting will bring together conservation and agricultural stakeholders to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Recent CMS COP14 outcomes demonstrate growing momentum for greater cooperation and collaboration among biodiversity-related conventions, including through national focal points and Secretariats.

Implementation challenges and opportunities

Despite growing recognition of these connections, institutional barriers between conservation and agricultural sectors persist. Training programmes, financing mechanisms, and policy frameworks often operate independently, limiting integrated approaches.

However, emerging models demonstrate the potential for overcoming these barriers through landscape-scale management that addresses both production and conservation objectives simultaneously.

Future directions

Critical research needs include long-term studies establishing causal relationships between migratory species conservation and agricultural outcomes. Economic valuation methodologies require refinement to capture the full range of ecosystem services, including pest control, pollination, and cultural values.

Predictive modelling capabilities need development to forecast how climate change will affect both migratory patterns and agricultural systems, enabling adaptive management strategies.

The evidence demonstrates clear connections between migratory species conservation and agricultural sustainability. While comprehensive global economic valuations remain incomplete, individual studies consistently show significant benefits from bird-mediated pest control across diverse agricultural systems.

The challenge lies in translating this scientific understanding into integrated policies and practices. The convergence at Bonn next month will test whether international institutions can promote a One Health approach across countries and regions.

Success will require sustained collaboration between conservation and actors across agrifood systems, supported by appropriate financing mechanisms and institutional arrangements that can operate beyond traditional boundaries – much like the migratory species themselves.