Abstract
Description of the subject. Wildflower strips are used to provide flower resources for insects in agroecosystems. There is a need to determine implementation processes that maximize the development of the sown flowering species. Objectives. To determine the effect of i) sowing period (autumn and spring) and ii) early cutting of annuals during the first growing season on the development of the sown perennial species. Method. We surveyed species development during three years (2012-2014) in 24 plots in an experimental wildflower strip. Plots were sown either in autumn or in spring, and received or not an early cutting management in 2012. Results. Sown species were favored by autumn sowing. A few species did better after spring sowing. Two years later (2014), early cutting management enhanced sown flowering species abundance and diversity in case of spring sowing only. Conclusions. Studying implementation and management protocols is of first importance to improve the efficiency of wildflower strips. We recommend autumn sowing as a first approach, and mowing aimed at controlling annuals in the first year after sowing.
Highlights
Strong biodiversity declines have been observed in agricultural landscapes due to their intensification (Stoate et al, 2001)
In 2013 and 2014, the sown perennial species Malva moschata L. and Silene latifolia ssp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet were more abundant in the spring-sown zone
Many authors have stressed the fact that species composition is an important issue for the efficacy of wildflower strips at preserving insects and insectmediated ecosystem services (Hatt et al, 2017; Nichols et al, 2019)
Summary
Strong biodiversity declines have been observed in agricultural landscapes due to their intensification (Stoate et al, 2001). Wildflower strip implementation in arable fields was encouraged through agri-environmental subsidies with the aim to support flower-feeding insect populations as well as insect-mediated ecosystem services (Batáry et al, 2015; Uyttenbroeck et al, 2016). Implementing strips that provide flowers over the long term has proven to be challenging (Smith et al, 2010; Westbury et al, 2017). One response is to recreate mown grasslands using perennial indigenous forbs and grasses (Kirmer et al, 2018; Piqueray et al, 2019). Discrepancies may occur between what is sown and what is obtained in the field (Uyttenbroeck et al, 2017; Schmidt et al, 2020). There is a need to determine implementation processes that maximize the development of the sown species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
