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

Crowther, Lucy I.; Gilbert, Francis

Abstract

© 2020 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.

Citation

Crowther, L. I., & Gilbert, F. (2020). The effect of agri-environment schemes on bees on Shropshire farms. Journal for Nature Conservation, 58, Article 125895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125895

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 25, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 30, 2020
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 26, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2021
• Journal: Journal for Nature Conservation
• Print ISSN: 1617-1381
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 58
• Article Number: 125895
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125895
• Keywords: Nature and Landscape Conservation; Ecology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4969423
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1617138120301412?via%3Dihub