Christine Haaland

Sown wildflower strips for insect conservation: a review

Abstract.  1. Sown wildflower strips are increasingly being established in European countries within agri‐environmental schemes to enhance biodiversity, especially in intensively used agricultural areas.

Butterflies and bumblebees in greenways and sown wildflower strips in southern Sweden

Greenways have recently been established in some intensively farmed areas of South Sweden in order to enhance recreation opportunities and biodiversity, but the effects of these green structures on biodiversity have not yet been determined. In this study, greenways and experimental sown wildflower strips were investigated for butterfly and bumblebee diversity. In total, 1,769 butterflies of 18 species and 1,216 foraging bumblebees of eight species were recorded. Sown wildflower strips proved to support much higher abundances and species numbers of butterflies and bumblebees than greenways, with 86% of all butterflies and 83% of all bumblebees being observed in the sown flower strips. However, in both types of green structure mostly common species were found. Counts of flower visits showed that Knautia, Centaurea and Cirsium were the most commonly visited plant species. The greenways studied did not seem to fulfil their function of enhancing biodiversity—at least not for butterflies and bumblebees. However, these greenways could easily be improved for common bumblebee and butterfly species by sowing wildflower strips along their margins.

Designing Farmland for Multifunctionality

Abstract Multifunctionality has become a major objective of European agricultural policy. However, recent research concerning the multifunctionality of agriculture has focused on economic, production or abiotic factors and has paid less attention to biotic, landscape and social aspects. In addition, relationships in the form of trade-offs between different landscape values such as biodiversity, cultural heritage, recreation and aesthetics have been little studied. This case study of a farm in southern Sweden explores the synergies and conflicts that can arise between these landscape values when planning at the farm scale. The results demonstrated that it was not easy to integrate the considered landscape values in practice, though we are often asked for them in policy documents. From the case study, we developed some general relationships—synergies and conflicts—between biodiversity, cultural heritage, recreation and aesthetics that can occur when improving multifunctionality on farmland. We combined methods originating from the natural sciences and the design traditions of landscape architecture to analyse and develop assessments of landscape values with the aim of improving multifunctionality by integrating these values. Finally, we discuss how the design approach of landscape architects can contribute to developing multifunctional farm plans and how the design process results in farm-specific solutions.

Regional Landscape Strategies and Public Participation: Towards Implementing the European Landscape Convention in Sweden

Sweden has recently decided to ratify the European Landscape Convention (ELC). Methods for implementation have been discussed for both the ELC and related national environmental objectives. Thus, the Swedish Government decided that seven County Administrative Boards should undertake pilot studies for Regional Landscape Strategies (RLS) during 2006–2007. The RLS Open image in new window pilot projects aimed at a new and more effective approach for conservation and sustainable land use at regional level. Additionally, RLS should also function as a method for implementing the ELC and other environmental objectives. One specific focus of the pilot studies was on developing methods for public participation. Other important issues were to involve different administrative sectors, municipalities, and regional authorities in the process, as well as attaining a good balance between conservation and profitable land use. This chapter presents some of the results from the RLS case study in Vellinge municipality, Scania (Skane), Sweden’s southernmost province. The focus of the study was on public participation in particular by equestrians and landowners. The first ‘bridleway organization’ of its kind in Sweden was established as a direct result of the project.

Sown Wildflower Strips – A Strategy to Enhance Biodiversity and Amenity in Intensively Used Agricultural Areas

1.1 Agricultural changes and effects on biodiversity Biodiversity in agricultural areas in Europe has been in constant decline (European Environment Agency [EEA], 2010). Agricultural land is a habitat for many species, both plants and animals, which have adapted to the special conditions of these human-influenced ecosystems. The decline in diversity is due to the intensification of agricultural production and the abandonment of marginalised agricultural areas that are no longer profitable. Intensive agricultural production involves increased application of herbicides, pesticides and fertiliser, which has a profound effect on many plant and animal communities (Stoate et al., 2001, 2009). Often emphasised examples are fertilisation or aerial deposition of nitrogen on semi-natural grassland, which leads to a decline in many herbal plants adapted to less nitrogenous conditions (e.g. Dupre et al., 2010). The application of insecticides has been shown to affect whole food webs, for example a decline in bird species due to the lack of insect prey (Vickery et al., 2009). The intensification of agricultural production has not only changed the quality of habitats, but also their quantity, with areas of low production, for example semi-natural grasslands, being in dramatic decline. The removal of certain biotopes to enlarge arable field size and its consequences for biodiversity have been discussed for several decades, for example the removal of hedges and field margins (Robinson & Sutherland, 2002). These measures have caused profound changes to the landscape pattern of agricultural landscapes, resulting in fragmentation of semi-natural areas and homogenisation (Jongman, 2002). The decline in many species groups with habitats on farmland has been widely acknowledged. Birds have been one of the most studied groups and loss of bird species is well documented (e.g. Chamberlain et al., 2000; Donald et al., 2001; Newton, 2004; Wretenberg et al., 2010). The decline in birds is related to agricultural intensification practices, such as increased in herbicide use, change in sowing regimes (from spring to autumn sowing), land drainage and changes in landscape pattern. Kragten et al. (2011) emphasise the importance of farming system (organic versus conventional) for the

How to preserve a butterfly species within an urbanising settlement and its surroundings: a study of the scarce copper (Lycaena virgaureae L.) in southern Sweden

Urbanisation is a rapidly ongoing process worldwide with profound consequences for wildlife in urban and peri-urban areas. Species are affected by habitat loss, habitat alternation and degradation, fragmentation and increased human population and activity. Habitat loss can occur due to construction of housing and infrastructure in peri-urban areas and within urban areas due to compaction. Undeveloped areas can also be changed from ruderal land, wilderness areas or leftover green space to more formal and more intensively used urban green space. This study investigated a butterfly species, the scarce copper (Lycaena virgaureae L.), in an urbanising and expanding settlement in a rural location in southern Sweden. The scarce copper is still relatively common in Sweden, but has experienced severe decline in certain areas and in other parts of Europe. Patch occupancy and abundance of the species were investigated in 44 patches ranging from urban and peri-urban to rural locations. Habitats investigated were parks, urban grasslands managed for biodiversity by the local authority, unmanaged abandoned arable sites, road verges, meadows and pastures. In total, 624 sightings of scarce coppers were recorded. The highest abundances were observed in larger unmanaged patches and in meadows in peri-urban areas, while pastures had low abundances. In urban parks, no coppers were found. The smaller sites managed for biodiversity by the local authority within the settlement were often occupied by the scarce copper, although abundances were low (mean number of individuals 3 ± 1.2). In patches which were cut, copper numbers dropped in almost all cases to zero after cutting. Patch occupancy was affected by habitat characteristics such vegetation height, tree succession, abundance of Rumex acetosella (sheep’s sorrel), as well as landscape features such as length of forest edge. Factors identified as influencing abundance were the same, but additionally also flower abundance. The current high abundances of the scarce copper in the area will not be ensured in the longer term when all building plans are implemented and no other measures are taken. Recommendations are made on management and planning to preserve the species in the study area.