Ecological cross compliance promotes farmland biodiversity in Switzerland

Aviron, Stéphanie; Nitsch, Heike; Jeanneret, Philippe; Buholzer, Serge; Luka, Henryk; Pfiffner, Lukas; Pozzi, S.; Schüpbach, Béatrice; Walter, Thomas; Herzog, F.

doi:10.1890/070197

Cited by 106 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In contrast to earlier studies, we aimed at a comprehensive assessment of all habitats affected by farming activities, including nonproductive habitats, such as unpaved tracks or field margins. This allowed us to account for possible differences in habitat composition between farms, which are of crucial importance for biodiversity at farm level 28,[33][34][35] . Species richness at the farm level is a combination of farming effects at the field level and the composition of farmland habitats on each farm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gains to species diversity in organically farmed fields are not propagated at the farm level

et al. 2014

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most prominently, organic farming contributed little to habitat heterogeneity, which is of key importance for farmland biodiversity 28,[33][34][35] . Organic and nonorganic farms did not differ in average habitat richness and thereby, in their potential to host exclusive species in any of the investigated regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gains to species diversity in organically farmed fields are not propagated at the farm level

et al. 2014

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“…In order to improve grassland biodiversity, conservation measures that take into account both the ecology and the social and economic background are necessary (Mattison & Norris 2005). In the last few decades, the EU Common Agricultural Policy has introduced actions aimed at favouring biodiversity and habitat conservation, including Agri-Environmental Schemes and direct payments to support low-intensity farming in marginal areas (Aviron et al 2009;Stoate et al 2009). Such measures could provide financial support to small farms with free-ranging livestock (the so-called "alpeggio" system).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, best-practice suggestions to improve the ecological value of haymaking might be introduced. A case in point is the Swiss AgriEnvironment Scheme program, which subsidizes the maintenance of unmown Ecological Compensation Areas within hay meadows, and requires at least one vegetation cut a year (after 15 June) as well as the prohibition of fertilizer use (Müller et al 2005;Birrer et al 2007;Aviron et al 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat management effects on Prealpine grassland bird communities

Bazzi

Foglini

Brambilla

et al. 2014

Italian Journal of Zoology

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Currently, land abandonment constitutes a serious threat for many species tied to semi-natural grasslands. In southern Europe, the conservation of many grassland bird communities largely depends on low-intensity mountain farming. In this study, we analysed the effects of the main farming practices promoting grassland maintenance, i.e. grazing and mowing, on species richness of a Prealpine grassland bird community and on the breeding densities of the two commonest grassland species, the skylark (Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758) and the tree pipit (Anthus trivialis Linnaeus, 1758). The two study sites were located between 1100 and 2000 m above sea level in the Italian central Prealps. Grassland species richness was positively affected by grazing, and increased with increasing distance from the nearest woodland. Skylark density was positively influenced by mowing, grassland cover extent and distance from woodland, with the latter effect occurring only at a single study site. Finally, tree pipit density was positively affected by grazing. Our findings suggest that, in order to maintain open grasslands below the natural treeline and enhance the biodiversity of grassland bird communities, grazing should be preferred over mowing. Moreover, woodland edge effects may have a negative impact on mountain grassland bird communities. Advancing woodlands and abandonment of low-intensity farming and grazing practices may therefore constitute a serious threat for open-habitat specialist bird species of the Alpine region.

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“…The measures were beneficial, e.g. for certain taxonomic groups but not for rare species (Aviron et al, 2009) or in simple landscapes but less so in complex ones (Batáry et al, 2011). In addition, processes require time until effects can be observed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Appropriate metrics to inform farmers about species diversity

Lüscher

Schneider

Turnbull

et al. 2014

Environmental Science & Policy

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Farmers are key players in actions to halt biodiversity loss from farmland. However, if farmers are to sustain biodiversity, they must first be adequately informed about biodiversity and understand its drivers. Measuring biodiversity at the farm scale is difficult because of the structural complexity of many farms, and because different aspects of diversity can be considered desirable, e.g. species richness or rarity. In this study we examined 19 grassland farms in Central Switzerland, and sampled plants, earthworms, spiders and bees using a stratified sampling design. We considered several metrics of species diversity, but found two particularly useful at farm scale: average richness (area-weighted) and farm uniqueness in terms of species identity. Average richness reflects the expected species richness in a random sample taken on the farm, and farm uniqueness is the contribution of a farm to the total species richness of all farms under study. Average richness and farm uniqueness are complementary and reflect different aspects of biodiversity. We demonstrate how combining these metrics enables tailored recommendations for enhancing species diversity on the farm. AbstractFarmers are key players in actions to halt biodiversity loss from farmland. However, if farmers are to sustain biodiversity, they must first be adequately informed about biodiversity and understand its drivers. Measuring biodiversity at the farm scale is difficult because of the structural complexity of many farms, and because different aspects of diversity can be considered desirable, e.g. species richness or rarity. In this study we examined 19 grassland farms in Central Switzerland, and sampled plants, earthworms, spiders and bees using a stratified sampling design. We considered several metrics of species diversity, but found two particularly useful at farm scale: average richness (area-weighted) and farm uniqueness in terms of species identity. Average richness reflects the expected species richness in a random sample taken on the farm, and farm uniqueness is the contribution of a farm to the total 2 species richness of all farms under study. Average richness and farm uniqueness are complementary and reflect different aspects of biodiversity. We demonstrate how combining these metrics enables tailored recommendations for enhancing species diversity on the farm.

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Ecological cross compliance promotes farmland biodiversity in Switzerland

Abstract: Ecological cross compliance S Aviron et al. 248 w ww ww w. .f fr ro on nt ti ie er rs si in ne ec co ol lo og gy y. .o or rg g © © The Ecological Society of America w ww ww w. .f fr ro on nt ti ie er rs si in ne ec co ol lo og gy y. .o or rg g

Cited by 106 publications

References 20 publications

Gains to species diversity in organically farmed fields are not propagated at the farm level

Gains to species diversity in organically farmed fields are not propagated at the farm level

Habitat management effects on Prealpine grassland bird communities

Appropriate metrics to inform farmers about species diversity

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