Multifunctional areas as a tool to enhance biodiversity and promote conservation in alfalfa fields

Miranda-Barroso, Luis; Aguado, Oscar; Garí, José Vicente Falcó; López, David J.; Schade, Michael; Vasileiadis, Vasileios; Felipo, Francisco Javier Peris

doi:10.52547/jibs.7.3.251

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Field margins sown with pollinator-friendly seed mixes have been found to increase pollinator abundance and diversity in the margin itself [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. There are mixed findings with respect to spillover of pollinators into the crop and effects on yield [13,15,20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flower Margins: Attractiveness over Time for Different Pollinator Groups

Brittain

Benke

Pecze

et al. 2022

Land

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Supporting biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is key from both a conservation and ecosystem services perspective. Planting flower margins along crop field edges is one of the most established approaches to try and improve habitat and resources for insect pollinators on farms. Whilst there is growing evidence that these margins can result in increased pollinator abundance and diversity on farms in the short-term, there is little data looking at how these margins perform over longer periods. This study looked at the utilization of pollinator-friendly margins over time in an agricultural landscape in Hungary. ‘Operation Pollinator’ seed mixes with 12 species, were used at 96 farms in Hungary from 2010 to 2018. Insect pollinators were recorded on the sown flower margins and control margins (with naturally occurring vegetation) using walked transects. Repeated sampling of the margins was done over several years so that data was collected on margins from 0 (planted that season) to 7 years old. The abundance of pollinators in the Operation Pollinator flower margins was greater than in control margins for all groups recorded (honey bees, bumble bees, mining bees, trap-nesting bees, hoverflies and Lepidoptera). The biggest relative increase in abundance was in honey bees (768% increase in average abundance in the flower margin compared to the control across all observations), with mining (566%) and bumble bees (414%) showing the next largest increases. The abundance of bumble bees, trap-nesting bees and Lepidoptera in the margins did not vary with the age of the margin. Honey bees, mining bees and hoverflies all decreased in abundance with increasing margin age, as did flower abundance. The results suggest that for some pollinator groups, regardless of age, flower margins provide important resources in the agricultural landscape. However, this is not universally true and for certain pollinator groups, some re-sowing of the margins may be needed to sustain longer-term benefits.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flower Margins: Attractiveness over Time for Different Pollinator Groups

Brittain

Benke

Pecze

et al. 2022

Land

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Effectiveness of Multifunctional Margins in Insect Biodiversity Enhancement and RTE Species Conservation in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes

Santa

Aguado²,

Garí³

et al. 2021

Agronomy

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Starting in the 1950s, agricultural production has been remarkably intensified, resulting in modern management systems where a severe increase in field size led to an elimination of edges and other ecologically valuable structural elements. The resulting habitat loss caused dramatic changes in natural communities. The aim of this work is to test whether there are statistically significant differences in insect abundance over time by using multifunctional margins that are seed mixtures of autochthonous species planted in combined strips, which are the fastest way to provide significant biodiversity benefits within farmed landscapes, enhancing the diversity and abundance of insects, birds, and small mammals, offering resources and reservoirs. This study was carried out in three intensive fruit farms in Spain over a three-year period (2013–2015). Each field was divided into two zones: the margin where a multifunctional margin was planted, and another that remained unchanged in the field. A clear trend to increase RTE species throughout the years in all farms was observed. Moreover, the margin showed a significant difference with respect to the field in the average number of insect species and individuals. The use of margins improves the appearance of RTE species in mean percentages ranging between 12.06 and 25.26% according to the sampling area. Margins also favour the increase in species (148.83–232.84%) and individuals (207.24–586.70%) in agricultural landscapes. These results clearly show that margins are an essential tool to fight insect decline in intensive farming areas.

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Enhancement of the Diversity of Pollinators and Beneficial Insects in Intensively Managed Vineyards

Peris-Felipo

Santa

Aguado³

et al. 2021

Insects

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(1) Modern, intensive agricultural practices have been attributed to the loss of insect biodiversity and abundance in agroecosystems for the last 80 years. The aim of this work is to test whether there are statistically significant differences in insect abundance between different zones and over time on the vineyard field. (2) The study was carried out in five intensive wine farms in Spain over a three-year period (2013–2015). Each field was divided into two zones, one where cover plants were planted, and another remained unchanged (without cover). (3) A clear trend to increase the average number of insect species and individuals throughout the years in all farms was observed. Moreover, the zones with cover plants showed a significant difference with respect to the zones without. (4) The use of permanent cover plants allows creating areas of refuge for the insects favouring their conservation and reducing the agriculture impact in the insect decline.

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Multifunctional areas as a tool to enhance biodiversity and promote conservation in alfalfa fields

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Flower Margins: Attractiveness over Time for Different Pollinator Groups

Flower Margins: Attractiveness over Time for Different Pollinator Groups

Effectiveness of Multifunctional Margins in Insect Biodiversity Enhancement and RTE Species Conservation in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes

Enhancement of the Diversity of Pollinators and Beneficial Insects in Intensively Managed Vineyards

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