Crop and landscape heterogeneity increase biodiversity in agricultural landscapes: A global review and meta‐analysis

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Agricultural intensification not only increases food production but also drives widespread biodiversity decline. Increasing landscape heterogeneity has been suggested to increase across habitats, while increasing crop may support within agroecosystems. These spatial effects can be partitioned into compositional (land‐cover type diversity) and configurational arrangement), measured either for the mosaic or both crops semi‐natural habitats. However, studies have reported mixed responses of in these components taxa contexts. Our meta‐analysis covering 6397 fields 122 conducted Asia, Europe, North South America reveals consistently positive heterogeneity, as well plant, invertebrate, vertebrate, pollinator predator biodiversity. Vertebrates plants benefit more from invertebrates derive similar benefits heterogeneity. Pollinators predators favour are consistent vertebrates tropical/subtropical temperate agroecosystems, annual perennial cropping systems, at small large scales. results suggest that promoting increased by diversifying current UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is key restoring agricultural landscapes.

Language: Английский

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A multitaxa assessment of the effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes for biodiversity management

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(10)

Published: March 1, 2021

Agri-environmental schemes (AES) aim to restore biodiversity and biodiversity-mediated ecosystem services in landscapes impoverished by modern agriculture. However, a systematic, empirical evaluation of different AES types across multiple taxa functional groups is missing. Within one orthogonal design, we studied sown flowering with temporal continuity, size, landscape context used calcareous grasslands as seminatural reference habitat. We measured species richness 12 taxonomic (vascular plants, cicadas, orthopterans, bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, flower visiting beetles, parasitoid wasps, carabid staphylinid birds) representing 5 trophic levels. A total 54,955 specimens were identified using traditional methods, bulk arthropod samples through DNA metabarcoding, resulting 1,077 2,110 taxa, respectively. Species most groups, well multidiversity pollinators, increased continuity types. Some responded size context, but pollinators natural enemies not affected. fields supported assemblages than grasslands, became more similar those increasing continuity. Our results indicate that function synergistically. Flowering support even when they are relatively small few remaining habitats. therefore recommend network smaller, temporally continuous ages, combined permanent maximize benefits for conservation service delivery agricultural landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Floral resource diversification promotes solitary bee reproduction and may offset insecticide effects – evidence from a semi‐field experiment

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(4), P. 668 - 675

Published: Feb. 1, 2021

Abstract Pollinator declines in agricultural landscapes are driven by multiple stressors, but potential interactions of these remain poorly studied. Using a highly replicated semi‐field study with 56 mesocosms varying wild plant diversity (2–16 species) and oilseed rape treated neonicotinoid, we tested the interacting effects resource insecticides on reproduction solitary bee. Compared to monocultures, availability resources from plants complementing doubled brood cell production. In addition, bee increased due identity effects. Exposure neonicotinoid‐treated reduced larval adult development 69%, only monocultures. Availability complementary flower can thus offset negative reproduction. Policy should encourage implementation diverse floral mitigating crop monocultures insecticides, thereby sustaining populations landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Combining land-sparing and land-sharing in European landscapes

Advances in ecological research/Advances in Ecological Research, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 251 - 303

Published: Nov. 24, 2020

Language: Английский

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Increasing landscape complexity enhances species richness of farmland arthropods, agri-environment schemes also abundance – A meta-analysis

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 326, P. 107822 - 107822

Published: Dec. 10, 2021

Intensification of agricultural production and simplification landscape structure have negatively affected arthropod communities, in particular since the end Second World War. Agri-environment schemes may partly compensate for these losses enhance populations, but their effectiveness is higher simple landscapes rather than complex landscapes, characterized by a large proportion diversity semi-natural areas. As landscape-scale species pool known to drive local richness, we tested our hypothesis that complexity determines whereas management affects only abundance. Here undertake meta-analysis as part wider systematic review effects land use heterogeneity on richness. We searched studies quantifying agri-environment (e.g. wildflower strips/areas, grassy field margins, organic farming) richness additionally separated vegetation- vs. ground-dwelling taxa, because were hypothesized be greater more mobile vegetation-dwelling taxa. expected, increasing enhanced not Unexpectedly, did support abundance arthropods, also This pattern was driven vegetation-dwelling, presumably mobility taxa allows faster responses environmental changes. Our results show Europe benefit both primarily enhances why need taken into account halt current biodiversity landscapes. implemented at larger spatial temporal scales complexity, maintaining or restoring sustainably.

Language: Английский

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A method for assessing sustainability, with beef production as an example

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 96(5), P. 1836 - 1853

Published: May 6, 2021

ABSTRACT A comprehensive approach to decisions about the use of land and other world resources, taking full account biological scientific information, is crucial for good be made now in future. The sustainability systems producing food products sometimes assessed using too narrow a range component factors. production system might unsustainable because adverse effects on wide aspects human welfare, animal or environment. All factors should included evaluation, otherwise actions avoided without adequate consideration key diversity systems. scoring method that based information potentially general relevance presented here, beef as example with review each its components. This includes an overall combined score specific make unacceptable some consumers. results show that, this example, best very much better than worst By scores components comparing beef‐production systems, quality policies can formulated when statements referring only one are considered. least sustainable extensive grazing causes degradation feedlots indoor housing grain feeding. Semi‐intensive silvopastoral most well‐managed pasture‐fed from areas where crop uneconomic also sustainable. simple, scientifically could modified positive well negative value policy makers, researchers, producers, organisations aiming improve sustainability, public.

Language: Английский

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Multitrophic biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions, services and ecological intensification in agriculture

Journal of Plant Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(6)

Published: May 24, 2023

Abstract One central challenge for humanity is to mitigate and adapt an ongoing climate biodiversity crisis while providing resources a growing human population. Ecological intensification (EI) aims maximize crop productivity minimizing impacts on the environment, especially by using improve ecosystem functions services. Many EI measures are based trophic interactions between organisms (e.g. pollination, biocontrol). Here, we investigate how research multitrophic effects of functioning could advance application in agriculture forestry. We review previous studies use qualitative analyses literature test important variables such as land-use parameters or habitat complexity affect diversity, biodiversity–ecosystem relationships. found that positive prevalent production systems, largely across function dimensions, levels, study methodologies different functions, however, with certain context dependencies. also strong land management functions. detected knowledge gaps terms data from underrepresented geographical areas, organism groups functional diversity measurements. Additionally, identified several aspects require more attention future, trade-offs multiple temporal dynamics, change, spatial scale their implementation. This information will be vital ensure agricultural forest landscapes produce sustainably within environmental limits planet.

Language: Английский

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Mixing on- and off-field measures for biodiversity conservation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(8), P. 726 - 733

Published: May 4, 2024

The continuing biodiversity losses through agricultural expansion and intensification are dramatic. We argue that a mix of on- off-field measures is needed, overcoming the false dichotomy land sharing-sparing debate. Protected essential for global biodiversity, while spillover between farmed natural key to reducing species extinctions. This particularly effective in landscapes with small diversified fields. Focusing only on protected fails conserve wealth species, which often provide major ecosystem services such as pest control, pollination, cultural benefits. On-field must minimise yield prevent increased demand food imports from biodiversity-rich regions, requiring enforcement high social–ecological land-use standards ensure good life all.

Language: Английский

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Designing biodiversity-friendly landscapes: the effects of landscape heterogeneity across scales on bird species richness in Taiwan

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 40(2)

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Landscape context and farm characteristics are key to farmers' adoption of agri-environmental schemes

Land Use Policy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 121, P. 106320 - 106320

Published: Aug. 20, 2022

Agri-environmental schemes (AES) belong to the main instruments of European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) foster sustainable farming practices that contribute conservation biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate change mitigation and adaptation. Farmers' attitudes towards these voluntary measures socio-economic factors influencing their decisions have been widely studied through interviews or surveys. However, it remains unclear whether spatial patterns AES adoption can be predicted based on farm structural environmental variables. In this study, we combine biophysical maps with information structure landscape context model influence variables implementation at both field level. We fit a set regression models using characteristics (e.g. size specialization, size) as well elevation, soil fertility, presence protected areas) predictors Mulde River Basin in Germany case study. Our analysis reveals distribution explained by factors: tend implemented larger farms specialized permanent grassland cultivation are typically located areas lower fertility. At level, preferably allocated fields close water bodies small woody features. The effect different farm-related varies across AES-schemes indicating complex farmers take into consideration when allocating scheme field. As our study shows quantifiable tendency place unproductive and/or areas, supports previous evidence criticizing global allocate protection regions low agricultural value, which results goals not being met. presented here support development future AES, e.g. developing tailored currently unlikely adopt thus improving effectiveness environmentally friendly practices.

Language: Английский

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