Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas P. Timberlake, Ian P. Vaughan, Mathilde Baude, Jane Memmott
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of considering the phenology of resources when designing measures to support pollinators. Late summer appears to be a resource bottleneck for bumblebees in UK farmland, and management strategies that increase late-summer nectar availability may be the most effective. These strategies include adjusting mowing regimes to delay flowering of field margins until September, planting late-flowering cover crops such as red clover, and supporting late-flowering wild plant species such as Hedera helix. Additionally, the results suggest that rural gardens may play an important role in supporting farmland bumblebee populations.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Salek, Martin Mayer
Summary: The modernization of farmsteads has negatively impacted farmland bird populations by reducing nesting and foraging opportunities. It is recommended to include compensatory measures during farmstead construction/modernization, increase awareness among stakeholders, and support small traditional farms.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Clement Valle, Isabelle Le Viol, Christian Kerbiriou, Yves Bas, Frederic Jiguet, Karine Prince
Summary: This study investigated the response of farmland biodiversity to small woody features (SWF) density in different landscape compositions. The results showed that all three taxa exhibited a positive response to SWF, especially in cropland. The study also found a non-linear response, with the highest benefit observed at a SWF density of at least 6% in cropland. However, some farmland bird specialists were negatively impacted by SWF.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Szabolcs Lengyel, Mate Toth, Gabor Meszaros, Csaba P. Nagy, Edvard Mizsei, Marton Szabolcs, Bela Mester, Thomas O. Mero, Nagy Gergo
Summary: The decline of farmland bird populations since the 1980s has led to extensive research on farmland biodiversity conservation in Europe. However, surprisingly, there has been no direct focus on farmland birds in the landscape-scale restoration of grassland ecosystems on former croplands. Through a comparative study, it was found that grassland restoration positively influenced farmland bird species richness and diversity, while extensive cropland cultivation only increased species richness. Such findings suggest that landscape-scale grassland restoration can be an effective tool in reversing regional farmland bird declines and conserving farmland biodiversity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie Roilo, Jan O. Engler, Tomas Vaclavik, Anna F. Cord
Summary: Agri-environment schemes, ecological focus areas, and organic farming are key tools in the common agricultural policy to address the decline of farmland biodiversity in Europe. The effectiveness of these measures varies at different spatial scales, with landscape-level management playing a crucial role. Higher adoption levels of these measures could significantly improve breeding habitat suitability for farmland bird species across the agricultural landscape.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cannelle Tassin de Montaigu, Dave Goulson
Summary: This study investigated the impact of pesticide usage on butterfly and bumblebee populations in gardens across the UK. The results showed that urbanization and garden quality were the main factors affecting insect populations, and the effects of pesticides were relatively weak.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xabier Cabodevilla, Alexander D. Wright, Diego Villanua, Beatriz Arroyo, Elise F. Zipkin
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of irrigation on bird species occurrence patterns in a 100 km(2) area in northern Spain. It found that irrigation had an overall negative impact on the local bird community, with the majority of species decreasing in occurrence rates and only a small fraction increasing. This negative impact was particularly detrimental to farmland birds.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xabier Cabodevilla, Francois Mougeot, Gerard Bota, Santi Manosa, Francesc Cusco, Julen Martinez-Garcia, Beatriz Arroyo, Maria J. Madeira
Summary: This study used a metabarcoding approach to analyze the diet composition of six significant farmland birds in European cereal pseudo-steppes, revealing that they mainly consume plants with some species also consuming arthropods. The study highlights the importance of natural and semi-natural vegetation in providing a diverse food source for these declining species throughout the year.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rocio Tarjuelo, Elena D. Concepcion, Irene Guerrero, Ana Carricondo, Yolanda Cortes, Mario Diaz
Summary: Agri-environment schemes (AES) play an important role in conserving declining farmland birds in Europe. This study evaluated the impact of AES on taxonomic and functional responses of farmland birds in Spain, showing that an increased proportion of food prescriptions led to higher species richness and Shannon diversity, while balanced AES increased bird abundance. The length of field boundaries increased both taxonomic and functional diversity, while the proportion of herbaceous crops decreased diversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Robert Huber, Astrid Zabel, Mirjam Schleiffer, Willemijn Vroege, Julia M. Brandle, Robert Finger
Summary: This study analyzed how spatial factors influence the uptake of an agglomeration bonus scheme in a Swiss mountain region, finding that parcels farther from the farm and with steeper slopes are more likely to enter the scheme. Additionally, the collaborative process increased the enrollment of parcels cultivated by larger farmers managing their land more intensively.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elwyn Sharps, Robert W. Hawkes, Andrew J. Bladon, David L. Buckingham, Jennifer Border, Antony J. Morris, Philip V. Grice, Will J. Peach
Summary: Agri-environment schemes (AES) are the primary policy mechanism for addressing farmland biodiversity declines across Europe. Higher-tier AES provision can promote avian population growth on farmland, while lower-tier provision has less impact. To increase regional farmland bird populations by 10%, 47% and 26% of the farmed landscape would need to be devoted to higher-tier agreements in arable and pastoral landscapes, respectively.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lionel R. Hertzog, Sebastian Klimek, Norbert Roeder, Claudia Frank, Hannah G. S. Boehner, Johannes Kamp
Summary: Fallow agricultural land plays an important role in supporting threatened and declining farmland biodiversity. The relationship between farmland biodiversity and fallow area is influenced by landscape factors and varies among species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Dafne Ram, Ake Lindstrom, Lars B. Pettersson, Paul Caplat
Summary: Many bird species that are typical to farmland have declined in numbers. However, forest clear-cuts could potentially serve as important habitats for these birds. A study conducted in Sweden found that bird community composition and species abundance on clear-cuts varied depending on factors such as size, age, vegetation height, region, and proximity to farmland. While some farmland species were common on clear-cuts, others were scarce due to predator avoidance or a lack of suitable nest sites or food resources. More research is needed to fully understand the importance of clear-cuts for farmland species and how to make them more favorable habitats.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christoph Buschmann, Manuel Narjes, Norbert Roeder
Summary: Biodiversity loss is a major global threat, and the European Commission has been actively addressing this issue. Farmland birds, including the lapwing in Germany, have been significantly impacted. The European Union has tried to tackle biodiversity loss through voluntary agri-environmental schemes (AESs), but only a small portion of agricultural land is enrolled. A study conducted in Germany with arable farmers suggests that scheme attributes tied with compliance reduce acceptance of AES, and farmer and farm characteristics influence preferences for AES attributes. The article also discusses how the weaknesses of AES can be addressed in the new Green Architecture of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Katherina Ng, Somayeh Nowrouzi, Kyran M. Staunton, Philip Barton, Don A. Driscoll
Summary: The study found that remnant native vegetation provides crucial habitat resources for many ant species that are not provided by farmlands, and that in some cases native plantings can ameliorate negative effects of farmland clearing. Agricultural intensification involving loss of remnant native vegetation will contribute to ongoing losses and changes to ant biodiversity in farming landscapes. However, replanting native vegetation can lead to rapid restoration, offering a possible simple remedy to insect declines.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikko Kuussaari, Marjaana Toivonen, Janne Heliola, Juha Poyry, Jorge Mellado, Johan Ekroos, Vesa Hyyrylainen, Inkeri Vaha-Piikkio, Juha Tiainen
Summary: The study examined how urbanization affects butterfly species and habitats, finding that human population density has a greater negative impact on butterflies, while the proportion of built-up area has a higher variability in its effects on butterfly variables. Species with high habitat specificity and low mobility were found to be more sensitive to urbanization, especially high human population density. This indicates that human population density may be a better indicator of urbanization effects on butterflies compared to the proportion of built-up area.
Article
Ecology
Yoan Fourcade, Michiel F. WallisDeVries, Mikko Kuussaari, Chris A. M. van Swaay, Janne Heliola, Erik Ockinger
Summary: Habitat fragmentation can affect species distribution changes caused by climate change, and the spatial distribution of SNH plays a key role in species turnover.
Article
Ecology
Susu Rytteri, Mikko Kuussaari, Marjo Saastamoinen
Summary: Climate change impacts insects, particularly the phenological shifts between herbivore insects and their host plants. Microclimatic conditions and weather affect larval survival and growth differently, with the warmest microclimates supporting faster growth. Additionally, early warm weather can cause asynchrony between butterfly larvae and host plants, potentially leading to population dynamic effects on a larger scale.
Article
Ecology
Maria H. Hallfors, Juha Poyry, Janne Heliola, Ilmari Kohonen, Mikko Kuussaari, Reima Leinonen, Reto Schmucki, Pasi Sihvonen, Marjo Saastamoinen
Summary: The study shows that a combination of advancing phenology and shifting range boundaries is the most viable strategy for boreal Lepidoptera to adapt to changing climate. This may divide species into winners and losers based on their ability to capitalize on this combination, potentially having significant consequences on future community composition.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Marjaana Toivonen, Anna-Elina Karimaa, Irina Herzon, Mikko Kuussaari
Summary: This study revealed the importance of non-bee pollinators, especially hoverflies, in crop pollination in boreal farmland. The yield of caraway was positively related to the number of flower visits by honeybees, hoverflies, and all pollinators together.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Irina Herzon, Kaisa J. Raatikainen, Aveliina Helm, Solvita Rusina, Solvi Wehn, Ove Eriksson
Summary: This study proposes to consider semi-natural habitats as hotspots for biodiversity, and suggests that they are caught in a socio-ecological extinction vortex similar to that observed for threatened species. The study identifies four highly interlinked socio-economic processes that are important for the significance and preservation of these habitats. Evidence from six countries in the boreal region indicates that current measures to slow down or reverse the extinction vortex phenomenon are insufficient. The study suggests research directions and proactive actions to weaken the vortex and reverse the declining trends of the socio-ecological system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lotta Kaila, Jarmo Ketola, Marjaana Toivonen, Olli Loukola, Kati Hakala, Sakari Raiskio, Timo Hurme, Marja Jalli
Summary: Researchers found that pesticide residue levels in honeybee matrices in the EU were below oral acute toxicity levels, with potential sublethal effects of certain pesticide compounds. No significant differences were observed between insecticide-treated and untreated fields. The EU legislation effectively protected honeybees from oral acute toxicity in 2019 and 2020.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jenni Toikkanen, Panu Halme, Jere Kahanpaa, Marjaana Toivonen
Summary: Agricultural intensification has reduced and fragmented resources for farmland insects. However, studies on the effects of landscape composition on farmland insects in forest-dominated landscapes are scarce. This study examined the effects of landscape composition on hoverfly species richness and abundance in boreal forest-dominated landscapes. The results showed that most hoverflies in arable land benefit from increasing surrounding forest cover.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Torres-Miralles, K. Sarkela, K. Koppelmaki, M. Lamminen, H. L. Tuomisto, I. Herzon
Summary: This study assessed the environmental impact of High Nature Value (HNV) farms in Finland using semi-natural grasslands, and found that these farms had lower greenhouse gas emissions, better nitrogen balance, and higher carbon storage compared to alternative farms. The study also highlighted the importance of semi-natural grasslands for maintaining unique biodiversity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Letter
Food Science & Technology
Irina Herzon, Rachel Mazac, Maijaliisa Erkkola, Tara Garnett, Helena Hansson, Minna Kaljonen, Teea Kortetmaki, Annika Lonkila, Malin Jonell, Mari Niva, Anne-Maria Pajari, Theresa Tribaldos, Marjaana Toivonen, Hanna L. Tuomisto, Kari Koppelmaki, Elin Roos
Article
Ecology
Lotta Kaila, Anna Antinoja, Marjaana Toivonen, Marja Jalli, Olli. J. J. Loukola
Summary: Research has shown that pesticide residue levels in pollen and nectar have an impact on the learning and long-term memory of bumblebees. Low levels of residue impair learning performance, while high levels cause acute symptoms. These findings highlight the urgent need to understand the effects of pesticide residues on pollinators.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Merckx, Matthew E. Nielsen, Janne Heliola, Mikko Kuussaari, Lars B. Pettersson, Juha Poyry, Juha Tiainen, Karl Gotthard, Sami M. Kivela
Summary: Urbanization is affecting the seasonal life history plasticity of two lepidopterans, leading to earlier termination of diapause induction in cities. This genetic shift towards a lower daylength threshold for direct development in urban areas may have widespread implications for ecoevolutionary dynamics in cities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)