The main causes of loss of biodiversity, and therefore of loss of species and natural habitats, are linked to the destruction, degradation and fragmentation of ecosystems by man, pollution, over-exploitation of soil and natural resources, 'excessive use of chemicals in agriculture and intensive cultivation practices, climate change, population growth, urbanization, the spread of invasive alien species, both plant and animal. Many think or are led to believe, perhaps confusing between ideology and facts, that even hunting is guilty of bringing irreparable damage to biodiversity.
On the contrary, hunting has an extremely positive role in the protection, enhancement and maintenance of habitats and wild species, and hunters dedicate themselves with seriousness and dedication to this commitment. In addition to the attention that each hunter personally pays to the conservation of the environment he frequents, in our country through the Territorial Areas of Hunting, therefore in fact through the hunting activity, 70% of the national territory is managed. A survey conducted in 2018 by the Studies and Research Department of Federcaccia showed with a limited sample of 24 ATC, that disposable crops or maintenance of cereal stubble or other seed crops had been created in about 1.000 hectares at an expense of 400 thousand euros.
And 25% of these investments were made in areas located in no-hunting areas. Broadening the discussion at a national level, the total investments of hunters in habitats amount to a few million euros for several thousand hectares. All this at the expense of the hunters and not of the public bodies. Disposable crops provide breeding, feeding and winter shelter habitats for many species and are also home to more insects than cultivated areas, limiting the use of chemicals. The benefit of these areas is in favor of yes some huntable species - which are so only for a limited number of days and animals -, but also and above all of many protected species, linked in particular to agricultural habitats.
Among the species that benefit from these interventions, many are priorities for conservation, for example turtledove, swallow, shrike, quail, cappellaccia, lark, and many small passerines linked to the agricultural environment. The same is true for wet areas, fundamental for a very high number of animal and plant species. Preliminary data from an ACMA-FIdC study showed that in 4 regions of the Center North (Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany) hunters manage by conserving or after having recreated by recovering them from abandoned conditions, about 25 thousand hectares of wetlands, which host protected and huntable fauna all year round, playing an irreplaceable role for many of these during the reproductive period and when returning to the nesting sites.
And again: recovery of pastures and singing arenas in the mountains for alpine galliformes; cleaning and recovery of fountains and watering tanks in the Apennines; maintenance of paths and rural buildings; silvicultural management of wooded environments ...These are just a few examples of what hunters do for the environment 365 days a year, not only on the open hunt and not only by collecting, but always operating according to principles inspired by ethics, science and knowledge. Why hunting is useful. Above all to the environment.
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