A new study has found that how land is used and how intensively it is managed has a major impact on whether it can support wildlife in Europe. Researchers from the University of Surrey, the Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, and the Natural History Museum created models to assess how suitable different types of land are for 229 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, across Europe. The study found that the type of land use—like whether it is a forest, cropland, or urban area—had a bigger influence on habitat suitability than how intensively that land was managed. However, for species living in croplands, areas with lower management intensity, such as less use of machinery or chemicals, were more suitable. In forests, more intensive management—like frequent logging and uniform planting—seemed to benefit widespread species, while rarer, more specialized species were less likely to thrive. The research team used a method called species distribution modeling, which is typically used to analyze how climate affects species’ ranges, to see how land use and management intensity influence where species are found. Land-use intensity refers to how much human activity is involved in managing the land. For example, high-intensity cropland involves more machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, while high-intensity forestry includes faster tree harvesting and planting in uniform patterns. The study covered a wide range of species, including 123 birds, 86 mammals, and 20 reptiles and amphibians. Professor Zoe M. Harris, from the University of Surrey, explained that species already adapted to living in cities—like common birds and mammals—tend to find urban environments more suitable than rarer, more specialized species that require specific habitats. However, she emphasized that this does not mean expanding urban areas is good for wildlife overall. Instead, it highlights that the species most at risk are those that are rare and require specific environmental conditions that are not met in urban settings. Sophie Tudge, who led the research while completing her doctorate at the University of Surrey, said the findings could help meet the goals of the EU's Nature Restoration Regulation, which aims to protect and restore natural habitats. She suggested that reducing the intensity of farming and grassland management, or restoring wetlands and water habitats, could especially help farmland birds. Similarly, reducing the intensity of forestry practices might benefit rare forest-dwelling species that are struggling in heavily managed environments.