The effect of agri-environment schemes on bees on Shropshire farms

Crowther, L.I. and Gilbert, F. (2020) The effect of agri-environment schemes on bees on Shropshire farms. Journal for Nature Conservation, 58. ISSN 1617-1381

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125895

Abstract

The decline of bees and other invertebrate pollinators is cause for global concern, with modern intensive agriculture identified as a key driver. Government-run agri-environment schemes (AES) have the potential to restore the local landscape to benefit bees. Bee abundance, species richness and foraged plants were surveyed over a season on 18 farms in Shropshire, UK, classified into three treatment groups for comparison: Conventional, Entry-Level Stewardship AES (ELS), and Higher-Level Stewardship AES (HLS). Bee abundance and species diversity were significantly higher on AES-compliant farms: there were only small or non-significant differences between ELS- and HLS-compliant farms. ELS and HLS farms had higher diversity of floral foraging resources than conventionally managed farms. Cirsium, Heracleum sphondylium, and Rubus fruticosus were important resources for bees through the season. Synthesis and applications: These results highlight that key ELS actions, such as set-aside of uncultivated field margins, hedgerow restoration, late-cut meadows and sowing of nectar-rich flower mixes, are effective AES options to improve the landscape for bee communities. Many plants considered agricultural weeds are important forage resources for bees.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Journal or Publication Title:

Journal for Nature Conservation

Additional Information:

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal for Nature Conservation. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal for Nature Conservation, 58, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125895

Uncontrolled Keywords:

/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2309

Subjects:

?? AGRI-ENVIRONMENT SCHEMESBEESECOSYSTEM SERVICESFIELD MARGINSFLORAL RESOURCESPOLLINATIONAGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYBEECOMMUNITY COMPOSITIONECOSYSTEM SERVICEFORAGING BEHAVIORPOLLINATORSPECIES DIVERSITYSPECIES RICHNESSENGLANDSHROPSHIREUNITED KINGDOMAPOIDEACIRSI ??

Departments:

Faculty of Science and Technology > Lancaster Environment Centre

ID Code:

149254

Deposited By:

ep_importer_pure

Deposited On:

24 Nov 2020 12:47

Refereed?:

Yes

Published?:

Published