Ecosystem Services and Disservices Are Bundled in Simple and Diverse Cover Cropping Systems

Abstract

Agroecosystems are increasingly expected to provide multiple ecosystem services. We tested whether and how cover crop selection (identity and number of species) affects provisioning of multiple services (multifunctionality). In a 3-yr study of 10 cover crop treatments and eight ecosystem services, certain services consistently co-occurred. One such service "bundle" included cover crop biomass production, weed suppression, and nitrogen retention. Another set of bundled services included cash crop production, nitrogen supply, and profitability. We also identified tradeoffs: as some services increased, other disservices arose, limiting multifunctionality. However, functionally diverse mixtures ameliorated disservices associated with certain monocultures, thereby increasing cover crop multifunctionality. Core Ideas• Cover crop monocultures and mixtures support multiple ecosystem services.• Service interactions can lead to bundling, or co-occurrence, of certain services.• Service interactions also create trade-offs among services and disservices.• Cover crop mixtures can mitigate disservices to increase multifunctionality.

Cover Crop Biomass Production Is More Important than Diversity for Weed Suppression

“…A diverse cover crop mix can offer advantages to farmers in terms of their capacity to perform multiple functions, such as building soil organic matter, fixing N, and supporting beneficial insects (Malézieux et al, 2009;Isbell et al, 2017;Finney et al, 2017). Therefore, rather than avoiding diversity for the sake of weed suppression, we recommend that multispecies mixes are composed with a strong emphasis on the competitive ability of each species included in the mix.…”

“…Cover crops can be used to conserve and enhance soil quality, provide resources to biodiversity, break pest and disease cycles, and suppress weeds (Snapp et al, 2005, Blanco-Canqui et al, 2015. Recently, cover crops comprising mixes of different species have become popular, as combining species with different properties creates a single crop that can perform multiple functions (Storkey et al, 2015;Finney et al, 2017). Combining multiple species may also increase the capacity of a cover crop to perform individual functions.…”

Ecosystem services bundles: challenges and opportunities for implementation and further research

“…The number of samples ranges from c. 200-700 in the three agricultural studies (Finney et al 2017, Birkhofer et al 2018, Rositano et al 2018 and 64 in the forestry study (Alamgir et al 2016). Ecosystem services are quantified from field measurements, either using them as direct proxies (Finney et al 2017, Birkhofer et al 2018 or by applying models (Alamgir et al 2016, Rositano et al 2018. Compared to mapping studies, experimental studies more frequently use primary data and are therefore more likely to lead to an accurate valuation of the biophysical provision of ecosystem services.…”

Ecosystem services and disservices of bear foraging on managed timberlands

“…, Lyytimäki and Sipilä , Finney et al. ), and it is one of the first to offer information useful in balancing economic and cultural services relevant to an indigenous population.…”

“…This project examines positive and negative impacts of damage to valuable timber trees caused by American black bears (Ursus americanus, hereafter bears) on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation in northwestern California. As such, it is one of a growing number of studies that explicitly acknowledge trade-offs in ecosystem services and disservices (Zhang et al 2007, Lyytim€ aki and Sipil€ a 2009, Finney et al 2017, and it is one of the first to offer information useful in balancing economic and cultural services relevant to an indigenous population.…”