Archer's Lark - Threats and Human Interaction

Threats and Human Interaction

The Archer's Lark is known to avoid open and deserted spaces, so they would not be found in the developed plains and farmlands. They’re habits are very secretive and it makes them very hard to find and observe. They don’t go into open space, fly very often, and hides in grass. As mentioned before, they are extremely difficult to encounter due to the series of threats that take part into their endangerment. Most of the threats are directly related to the disappearance of their habitat. They include agriculture and aquaculture, annual and perennial non-timber crops, small-holder farming, climate-change, severe weather, habitat shifting, and alterations of habitats.

In 1922, the grasslands of Somalia were taken over and cultivated by African refugees. This particular area had a lot of tussocky perennial grasses, which is the Archer's Lark's main habitat. Though these refugees left the area about 19 years ago, the land is used heavily for farming and ranching. This habitat has been killed by establishments, farming, fires, and the invasion of other herbs and plant life. An example of a weed that has especially killed off the original habitat is the Parthenium Weed. Parthenium weed, is a type of weed that is rapidly spreading all across Somalia and nearby regions. With contributions from humans and unstoppable weeds, the Archer’s Lark’s living spaces are being destroyed, decreasing the population further than it already has been.