How has farming in the uk changed over the last 50 years?
https://www.tannertrading.co.uk/how-farming-has-changed-in-the-last-50-years/
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/food-and-farming/the-crisis-facing-our-farmland-wildlife/
I looked at this topic as it seemed like farming is one of the biggest reasons as to why animals and plants have declined significantly.
With our population growing quickly more farm land is needed to feed everyone, therefore more fields are being created to grow corps, which causes habitat destruction. As fields became bigger, farmers needed new machinery to manage travelling long distances and completing their job on time. All the vehicles that are used today are also playing a role in causing air and noise pollution for many species. In 1962 it was estimated that one farmer could feed 28 people, whereas today they can feed up to 155. A lot of insects are dying on farmlands as well because of the harsh chemicals being used to grow food. “With more land being drained there are fewer wild plants and insects around” says RSPB. Some birds nest on the ground but as harvesting methods and times have changed, they can't nest in those places anymore and so many of their homes get accidentally destroyed during harvesting.
Some chemicals used in farming aren't directly applied on the plants, sometimes they are inserted into the plants themselves through genetical modification. But even then they harm animals that eat the seeds.
