Beneficial Insects in Fields Surrounded by Hedgerows in North Eastern Italy

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

“…In addition to well-thought out general policies to prevent inappropriate environmental stresses (Goodland and Pimentel, 1998;Van Haafte and Van de Vijver, 1996), improved sustainability of landscapes requires education of citizens, farmers and policy makers. In any case, bioindicators, the small organisms of a given habitat, represent the practical tools to assess comparatively the sustainability of a farm, a piece of landscape, or a reclaimed area (Table 4, Paoletti et al, 1997a).…”

Potential for Hybrid Poplar Riparian Buffers to Provide Ecosystem Services in Three Watersheds with Contrasting Agricultural Land Use

“…Although they usually have lower conservation value than natural forests, numerous studies confirm the role of planted poplars as a refuge for wildlife on farmland [137][138][139][140][141]. Moreover, pest control in cropping systems may be improved by the integration of linear poplar structures in agro-ecosystems because such structures can become reservoirs of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) [140]. By providing shade, wind protection and reduced herbaceous vegetation cover, poplar buffers can also provide a favourable environment for the restoration of more shade-tolerant native tree or herb species, which can be under-planted or regenerate naturally (Figure 4e,f) [29,30,[142][143][144].…”

“…Predators of crop damaging species, such as the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) have equally found refuge in hybrid poplar buffers (Figure 4d). Although they usually have lower conservation value than natural forests, numerous studies confirm the role of planted poplars as a refuge for wildlife on farmland [137][138][139][140][141]. Moreover, pest control in cropping systems may be improved by the integration of linear poplar structures in agro-ecosystems because such structures can become reservoirs of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) [140].…”

“…‚ Poplar buffers and poplar afforestation can increase mammal, bird and insect diversity on farmland [31,[137][138][139][140][141]. ‚ Planted poplars can serve as nurse stands for mid and late-successional tree species and forest herbs [142,144,196].…”

Relative Densities of Natural Enemy and Pest Insects Within California Hedgerows

“…Native perennials can also enhance local biodiversity, be better adapted to the local environment (see Fiedler andLandis 2007, Frank et al 2008), allow for early dispersal of natural enemies into crop Þelds to regulate crop pests, and thus compensate for disturbances in annual crop areas (Letourneau 1998). Although hedgerows have a long history in Europe (van Emden 1965, Pollard 1971, Charrier 1997, Burel et al 1998, Paoletti et al 1997, Baudry et al 2000, in the United States they have been screened less than annual plants for CBC habitat because of the time needed for establishment.…”