Living hedges at Gram Castle provide 40% more pollinators.
Økologisk Nu40% more pollinating insects are found at a meter from the living hedges than 50 meters out in the field. This is shown by preliminary results from the research project BEAT, according to a press release from the Innovation Center for Organic Farming. Researchers from Aarhus University are taking samples at 0, 2, 5, and 50 meters from the living hedges near Gram Castle and are measuring, among other things, the effects on pollinating insects, birds, earthworms, carbon sequestration, and soil health. The most insects were found where the herbaceous vegetation along the hedge was most diverse. The herbaceous vegetation thus plays a significant role in how many pollinators the hedge can support, which can benefit the crop. Birds also seek out the hedges, especially in autumn when food is available. Most recorded bird species were only seen in the hedges, fewer both in the hedges and the field, and only a few in the field. The hedges provide shelter, cover, and food, serving as a base from which the birds fly out into the field to find food. Several of these species are known to regulate insects that appear as pests during the summer. A refuge for earthworms The presence of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) depends on the crop and soil cultivation. In the first year of sampling, the field with clover grass was in its third year, and there were more earthworms and AMF in the field than in the hedge. The following year, potatoes were cultivated, and they were more numerous in the hedges. This suggests that the hedge acts as a stable refuge when the field is disturbed. According to the press release, the results indicate that bird diversity in agricultural land increases significantly when undisturbed habitats like living hedges are present in and around the fields. However, to deliver services such as pollination, pest regulation, and improved soil health, the cultivation system must be designed and managed to ensure interaction between living hedges, vegetation, and field management. BEAT – Biodiversity and ecosystem functions in agroforestry systems – is part of the Organic RDD program, coordinated by Icrofs in collaboration with the Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP), and is supported by the Organic Farming Foundation.
To the meter of the living hedges, there are 40 percent more pollinating insects than 50 meters out in the field. This shows preliminary results from the research project BEAT, writes the Innovation Center for Organic Farming in a press release.
Researchers from Aarhus University are taking samples at 0, 2, 5, and 50 meters from the living hedges at Gram Castle and are measuring, among other things, the effect on pollinating insects, birds, earthworms, carbon sequestration, and soil health.
The most insects were found where the herbaceous vegetation along the hedge was most diverse. Herbaceous vegetation thus has a great influence on how many pollinators the hedge can support, which can benefit the crop.
Birds are also attracted to the hedges, especially in autumn when there is food to gather. Most recorded bird species were only seen in the hedges, fewer both in the hedge and the field, and only a few in the field. The hedges provide shelter, cover, and food, and serve as a base from which the birds fly out into the field to find food.
Several of the species are known to regulate insects that appear as pests during the summer.
A refuge for earthworms
The occurrence of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) depends on the crop and soil cultivation. The first year when samples were taken, the field with clover grass was in its third year, and there were more earthworms and AMF in the field than in the hedge. The following year, potatoes were cultivated, and they were more numerous in the hedges. This suggests that the hedge functions as a stable refuge when the field is disturbed.
According to the press release, the results indicate that the diversity of birds in agricultural land increases significantly when there are undisturbed habitats such as living hedges in and around the fields. But to deliver services such as pollination, pest regulation, and improved soil health, the cultivation system must be designed and managed so that there is interaction between living hedges, vegetation, and field management.
BEAT – Biodiversity and ecosystem functions in agroforestry systems – is part of the Organic RDD program, coordinated by Icrofs in collaboration with the Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP), and is supported by the Organic Farming Foundation.