Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Noemi Elmiger, Robert Finger, Jaboury Ghazoul, Sergei Schaub
Summary: This study investigates the design and implementation of biodiversity indicators for result-based agri-environmental schemes. Most schemes currently use vascular plants as indicators, designed for large regions. Recent schemes tend to consider more biodiversity aspects and adapt to smaller scales. Policymakers need to consider their objectives, costs, and trade-offs when choosing indicators and schemes. New technologies can help improve the design and monitoring of biodiversity.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amy Arnott, Gillian Riddell, Mark Emmerson, Tancredi Caruso, Neil Reid
Summary: The study found that the impact of agri-environment measures on soil microarthropods in upland grasslands is context-dependent and varies between different grassland types and microarthropod species. Environmental variation caused by overall management of grassland fields is a key factor influencing the responses of soil microarthropods.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Hannes Hoffmann, Franziska Peter, John D. Herrmann, Tobias W. Donath, Tim Diekoetter
Summary: Wildflower areas serve as important overwintering habitats for ground-dwelling arthropods, with benefits varying based on local habitat characteristics and landscape context. The study shows that the benefits of wildflower areas for overwintering ground-dwelling arthropods are highest in landscapes with an intermediate proportion of permanent semi-natural habitats or transient wildflower areas.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. T. Staley, J. W. Redhead, R. S. O'Connor, S. G. Jarvis, G. M. Siriwardena, I. G. Henderson, M. S. Botham, C. Carvell, S. M. Smart, S. Phillips, N. Jones, M. E. McCracken, J. Christelow, K. Howell, R. F. Pywell
Summary: This study focused on assessing the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes on butterflies, birds, and pollinating insects. A survey design based on orthogonal gradients of AES management at local and landscape scales was developed to monitor the response of multiple taxa. The results showed a strong correlation between predicted AES gradients for each taxon, supporting the co-location of surveys across different taxa and allowing the effects of AES on species at each scale to be tested.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Irene Bisang, Luc Lienhard, Ariel Bergamini
Summary: The study found that agricultural intensification in the Swiss Plateau has led to a significant decline in arable bryophyte species. The main factors influencing their occurrence include arable management practices and weather conditions, but tailored management measures and adjustments to AES regulations can help maintain the characteristic arable bryophyte flora in the region.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Robyn Manley, Vincent Doublet, Owen N. N. Wright, Toby Doyle, Isobel Refoy, Sophie Hedges, David Pascall, Claire Carvell, Mark J. F. Brown, Lena Wilfert
Summary: Insects are facing pressure due to agricultural intensification. Planting wildflowers along fields to protect pollinators can potentially impact disease ecology through transmission or infection dilution. Our study examined plant-pollinator interactions and virus infections in agricultural landscapes over a year to understand these dynamics.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Katherine Simpson, Paul R. Armsworth, Martin Dallimer, Mary Nthambi, Frans P. de Vries, Nick Hanley
Summary: Researchers and policy-makers are interested in re-designing agri-environmental policy to improve economic efficiency and ecological effectiveness. Payment for modelled results is proposed as an alternative to payment for actions, which has advantages of superior ecological outcomes and higher economic surpluses. This study applies payment for modelled results to farmland biodiversity in England and compares it with payment for actions schemes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula Cullen, Stephen Hynes, Mary Ryan, Cathal O'Donoghue
Summary: The agri-food sector is facing increasing pressure from consumers to improve the sustainability of production processes, with policies incentivising farmers to improve environmental performance playing a key role. Studying the choice of participation in these programs can help policymakers design schemes that meet participation and environmental goals. Research suggests that environmental issues related to intensive farms are not adequately addressed in current scheme designs, highlighting the need for further development to reduce negative impacts.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentin H. Klaus, Andrew Jehle, Franziska Richter, Nina Buchmann, Eva Knop, Gisela Luscher
Summary: The study analyzes the effects of ecological focus areas (EFAs) and organic farming on plant diversity and agricultural productivity. It finds that both AES have positive additive effects on plant diversity, with EFAs having a greater impact. Additionally, EFAs reduce agricultural weeds but negatively affect agricultural productivity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dan Xie, Bo Liu, Li-Na Zhao, Tirtha Raj Pandey, Hui-Yuan Liu, Zhang-Jian Shan, Hai-Ning Qin
Summary: The Species Catalogue of China: Volume 1: Plants (SCCP) is a new, comprehensive inventory of Chinese higher plants available for free online and on CD-ROM, updated annually. It serves as a key resource for floristic and biodiversity studies in China, directing action and monitoring progress towards achieving Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Amy Arnott, Gillian Riddell, Mark Emmerson, Neil Reid
Summary: Agri-environment schemes are effective in maintaining and enhancing terrestrial invertebrate abundance and richness associated with diverse swards in upland grasslands, suggesting their positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael S. Crossley, Olivia M. Smith, Lauren L. Berry, Robert Phillips-Cosio, Jeffrey Glassberg, Kaylen M. Holman, Jacquelin G. Holmquest, Amanda R. Meier, Sofia A. Varriano, Maureen R. McClung, Matthew D. Moran, William E. Snyder
Summary: The study found that there is great heterogeneity in abundance and biodiversity trends for North American butterflies, mainly influenced by recent precipitation and temperature. Different regions show different changes in butterfly populations, with a slight increase in abundance observed around urban areas. Overall, changes in butterfly numbers are primarily driven by climate factors.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Forestry
Hendra Gunawan, Irma Yeny, Endang Karlina, Sri Suharti, Budi Mulyanto, Sulistya Ekawati, Raden Murniati, Bugi Kabul Subarudi, Raden Garsetiasih, Nur M. Pratiwi, Bugi Kabul Sumirat, Reny Sawitri, Nur Heriyanto, Mariana Takandjandji, Asmanah Widarti, Nur Arifatul Surati, Ari Desmiwati, Titi Kalima, Rachman Effendi, Edwin Martin, Nur Arifatul Ulya, Sylviani, Ari Nurlia
Summary: This paper reviews the implementation of social forestry in Indonesia and identifies its strengths and challenges. The study finds that the ecological aspects of biodiversity conservation receive less attention compared to social and economic goals. The inclusion of communities in forest management may result in habitat fragmentation and species extinction.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Irena A. Koelemeijer, Ayco J. M. Tack, Beyene Zewdie, Sileshi Nemomissa, Kristoffer Hylander
Summary: This study identified drivers behind woody plant regeneration in coffee agroforestry, showing that local management intensity negatively impacted species richness, diversity, density, and height, while sites adjacent to continuous forests had higher species richness and diversity. Transfer limitation was detrimental for the regeneration of late successional species in agroforestry systems with reduced woody plant diversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Ruas, Roser Rotches-Ribalta, Daire O. HUallachain, Karzan D. Ahmed, Michael Gormally, Jane C. Stout, Blanaid White, James Moran
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the suitability of indicator plant species for RBP schemes and found that grassland indicator species are related to grassland semi-naturalness and habitat diversity on the farm, making them suitable for assessing management effectiveness; while hedgerow indicator species are not strongly related to explanatory variables, unsuitable for RBP schemes. The results highlight the importance of scientific scrutiny in selecting indicator species for fair results assessments.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
M. Geldenhuys, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: The study assessed the influence of viticulture on large-scale patterns of arthropod diversity and found significant differences in spider and beetle assemblages between vineyards and natural vegetation. Although vineyards support high arthropod diversity, the trait diversity of spiders and beetles is lower in vineyards.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nickson Erick Otieno, James Stephen Pryke
Summary: This study found that the structural features of cropland vegetation have a significant impact on the distribution and assemblage patterns of granivorous birds. The heights of hedgerows and trees have the most significant influence on bird abundance similarities. While bird species richness is unaffected by habitat variables, encounter rates are higher in farms with higher hedgerows or tall trees. Bird densities increase with abundant large mature trees, large woodlots, high hedgerows, or dominance of indigenous trees, but decrease with overall tree density and young-tree abundance.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Geldenhuys, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: Understanding the effects of agricultural practices on farmland biodiversity requires a landscape perspective. This study found that increasing in-crop herbaceous vegetation in vineyards can increase the species richness of overall arthropods and ubiquitous arthropods. Additionally, the interplay between the amount of natural vegetation and local-scale processes influences the composition of arthropod assemblages.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marinus Geldenhuys, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: This study assesses the spillover of arthropods between vineyards and fynbos in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The results show limited spillover between the habitats, but both habitats support diverse and distinct arthropod assemblages. Therefore, conserving natural fynbos patches alongside sensitively managed vineyards is feasible for harmonising biodiversity conservation and viticulture.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Eckert, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: Understanding how biodiversity responds to fine-scale heterogeneity is important for predicting larger-scale diversity patterns and informing local-scale conservation practices. In South Africa's Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot, knowledge of soil arthropod assemblages in different biotopes helps in the design of conservation set-asides in commercial forestry landscapes. Our study found high segregation among arthropod assemblages in all biotopes, with variations in both structure and transformation. Dry and hydromorphic grasslands, although similar in structure, showed high assemblage dissimilarity, highlighting the responsiveness of soil fauna to fine-scale habitat heterogeneity. Each biotope favored different feeding guilds and had species strongly associated with it, demonstrating the complementarity of the biotopes. Natural biotopes had high species richness, diversity, and turnover, while pine plantations showed comparable levels of diversity and turnover, suggesting that certain soil arthropods may be favored in plantation conditions.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aileen C. van der Mescht, James S. Pryke, Rene Gaigher, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Species in transformed landscapes utilize resources from transformed patches, natural patches, or both. Species-specific responses to landscape transformation are varied and dynamic, depending on their level of specialization. Understanding these responses is essential for informed conservation decisions.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Michelle Eckert, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: In order to sustainably manage soils, it is important to study the effects of management practices on soil biota. This study examined the impact of different residue management practices on soil biota in a forestry landscape in South Africa. The results showed that, in the short term, different residue management practices did not significantly affect soil biota diversity or soil biological activity. However, further assessments are recommended to fully understand the long-term impact of residue management on soil arthropods.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways, James S. Pryke
Summary: Landscape fragmentation affects freshwater habitats and quality, impacting aquatic insect communities. Adjacent terrestrial areas serve as important secondary habitats for amphibiotic insects. Zygopterans are more sensitive to fragmentation, while anisopterans show more resilience and habitat selectivity based on water chemistry and vegetation characteristics.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Heterogeneity at local and landscape scales plays an important role in promoting insect diversity and mitigating insect declines caused by global change. In this study, the researchers examined the use of indigenous forest-grassland edges by butterflies. They found that forest edges supported a diverse butterfly assemblage, with forest specialists being more diverse at forest edges than in grassland. The researchers also observed more interactions and patrolling behavior at forest edges, while feeding and transient behavior were more common in grassland. The occurrence and behavioral patterns were not influenced by season, indicating that the influence of forests remains consistent under varying environmental conditions. However, certain species showed a preference for forest edges in the hot and windy season, suggesting that the shelter provided by forest edges influences butterfly habitat use. The study highlights the importance of conserving forest patches in coastal grasslands for butterfly populations in the face of global change.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Michelle Eckert, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Charlene Janion-Scheepers, Michael J. Samways
Summary: This study compares the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil arthropods in natural and transformed habitats. The results show similar levels of diversity between the two habitats, but shifts in traits between them. These findings suggest that increasing landscape heterogeneity in production landscapes can enhance the diversity of soil arthropods.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
