Plant and invertebrate diversity in grassland field margins

Sheridan, Helen; Finn, John A.; Culleton, N.; O’Donovan, Grace

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2007.07.001

Cited by 26 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The regular and intensive post-harvest flailing of hedgerows has resulted in some hedges becoming very reduced and sometimes shorter than the crops that they surround (Croxton et al 2004 ). Heterogeneity in field margin structure is necessary for the retention of high levels of invertebrate abundance (Sheridan et al 2008 ). The retention of hedgerows affects leaf litter, which also has a knockon effect on invertebrate colonisation (Smith et al 2008 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection, philopatry and spatial segregation in rural Irish hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

2013

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Type of publicationArticle (peer-reviewed) Abstract: As a non-territorial species with no known dispersal period, there are no obvious factors that regulate hedgehog numbers in an area. This study aimed to examine these factors and involved the radio-tracking of rural hedgehogs over a 3-year period. Males had a significantly larger mean annual home range (56 ha) than females (16.5 ha), which was at its maximum during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, the home range was relatively small (4 -5 ha) in both sexes. The home ranges of males completely overlapped both each other and all of the females. In contrast, females occupied more exclusive areas with little overlap between one another. On a nightly basis, both sexes occupied spatially independent areas with little overlap. Compositional analysis of the data showed that habitats were not used in proportion to their availability but were selected, and this changed seasonally, with the highest preference being for garden and arable land. Hedgehogs tagged for consecutive years exhibited site philopatry and followed the same pattern of habitat selection annually. It is suggested that the spatial separation observed amongst individual hedgehogs could restrict numbers in an area and that female numbers reach a carrying capacity before that of males.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection, philopatry and spatial segregation in rural Irish hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

2013

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“…Where suitable seed sources do not exist in the vicinity, species-rich seed mixtures may be introduced to establish a diverse field margin f lora (e.g. Sheridan et al 2008). However, results indicated that while some 'undesirable' species were abundant at this site, a reasonably diverse field margin f lora also persisted and, therefore, the use of expensive, non-native seed mixtures could not be justified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Details of trap design are provided in Sheridan et al (2008). Six emergence traps were randomly placed within each of the three fi eld margin treatments.…”

Section: Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Botanical Rejuvenation of Field Margins and Benefits for Invertebrate Fauna on a Drystock Farm in County Longford

Sheridan¹,

Finn²,

O’Donovan³

2009

Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acade

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This study investigates methods to rejuvenate the fl ora of previously degraded fi eld margins on a pastoral farm in County Longford. We also assess the effects of individual treatments on the abundance of various orders of invertebrates recorded within the experimental plots. Field margin treatments were 1.5m-wide unfenced control margins, 1.5m-wide fenced margins or 3.5m-wide fenced margins. Nutrient inputs were excluded from all of the experimental plots. The botanical composition of the plots was examined on four occasions between 2002 and 2004 using permanent, nested quadrats. Emergence traps were used to measure invertebrate abundance within treatment plots and the main sward. Results indicated that 1) exclusion of nutrient inputs had a positive effect on plant species richness within the fi eld margins; 2) plant species richness decreased with increased distance from the hedgerow; 3) herb species richness was greatest in the 1.5m closest to the hedgerow; 4) greater abundance of invertebrates occurred within the 3.5m-wide margins; 5) successful control of Pteridium aquilinum was achieved through spot treatment with the selective herbicide 'Asulox'; and 6) a combination of management techniques such as cutting and grazing is likely to enhance plant species richness and facilitate the structural diversity of vegetation that is necessary for many invertebrate taxa.

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“…That study also documented successful efforts to control bracken in 481 the experimental field margins. In another experimental study aimed at informing the 482 management by REPS of grassland field margins, different establishment and management 483 strategies of field margins had significantly different effects on plant and insect diversity 484 over a two-year period (Sheridan et al 2008). That work showed that reseeding with a 485 diverse mixture of grass and wildflowers could successfully result in more diverse 486 vegetation in new experimental field margins in dairy systems, and that cessation of 487 fertiliser inputs alone was ineffective in increasing vegetation diversity.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Purvis et al (2009a, p. 17-20) Critique of expected effects of REPS 4 on habitats and hoverfly diversity. Included REPS status as a variable in multivariate analysis of habitats on 50 farms (thirteen of which were REPS participants) Field margins Feehan et al (2005) Fritch et al (2009, 2011, Purvis et al (2009a), Sheridan et al (2008Sheridan et al ( , 2009 Finn et al (2007Finn et al ( , 2009 Finn et al (2008b) Kelly (2008) Carlin et al (2010) Multi-criteria analysis used to assess the effectiveness of REPS (and Italian scheme) based on data in the mid-term evaluation only. Experts' ratings of measures in REPS 2.…”

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confidence: 99%

A review of evidence on the environmental impact of Ireland's Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)

Finn¹,

hUallacháin²

2012

Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acade

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23Since its inception in 1994, there has been strong demand for evidence of the 24 environmental effectiveness of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), which 25 paid farmers in the Republic of Ireland over €3 billion by 2010. A variety of research 26 projects have been undertaken that investigate the environmental effects of REPS through 27 an examination of either specific environmental measures or specific geographical areas. A 28 review of available publications confirmed the absence of a comprehensive, national-scale 29

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Plant and invertebrate diversity in grassland field margins

Cited by 26 publications

References 16 publications

Habitat selection, philopatry and spatial segregation in rural Irish hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Habitat selection, philopatry and spatial segregation in rural Irish hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Botanical Rejuvenation of Field Margins and Benefits for Invertebrate Fauna on a Drystock Farm in County Longford

A review of evidence on the environmental impact of Ireland's Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)

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