Role of organic and conventional field boundaries on boreal bumblebees and butterflies

This study examined how field boundary habitat quality and farming system (organic or conventional) affect species richness and abundance of diurnal lepidopterans and bumblebees in boreal agricultural landscapes. The results showed positive effects of field boundary area on lepidopteran diversity, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agriculture, ecosystems & environment ecosystems & environment, 2008-04, Vol.124 (3), p.155-159
Main Authors: Ekroos, Johan, Piha, Markus, Tiainen, Juha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Bombus
Boreal agroecosystem
Bumblebee
butterflies
Butterfly
Diurnal lepidopterans
edge effects
farming systems
fields
Flower abundance
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agroecology
General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping
General agronomy. Plant production
General aspects
Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development
Habitat area
habitats
insect communities
Insecta
Invertebrates
Lepidoptera
Organic farming
organic production
pollinating insects
species diversity
Synecology
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Summary:This study examined how field boundary habitat quality and farming system (organic or conventional) affect species richness and abundance of diurnal lepidopterans and bumblebees in boreal agricultural landscapes. The results showed positive effects of field boundary area on lepidopteran diversity, as well as positive effects of nectar flower abundance on lepidopterans and bumblebee abundance. Organic farming did not show any significant effects on lepidopteran diversity. The results suggested that a successful conservation strategy for lepidopterans occurring in boreal agroecosystems depend on proper management of field boundaries, irrespective of farming regime. As bumblebee diversity tended to be higher at organic plots it is concluded that these important pollinators might be able to react on even small changes in habitat quality of cultivated lands. The results concord with a general hypothesis that effects of organic farming might be overpowered by effects of landscape structure in heterogeneous landscapes.
ISSN:0167-8809
1873-2305
DOI:10.1016/j.agee.2007.09.003