Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter the timing of insecticide useNatural enemies: One controlled study from the UK reported more natural enemies when insecticides were sprayed earlier rather than later in the growing season. Pests: Two of four studies from Mozambique, the UK and the USA found fewer pests or less disease damage when insecticides were applied early rather than late. Effects on a disease-carrying pest varied with insecticide type. Two studies (one a randomised, replicated, controlled test) found no effect on pests or pest damage. Yield: Four studies (including one randomised, replicated, controlled test) from Mozambique, the Philippines, the UK and the USA measured yields. Two studies found mixed effects and one study found no effect on yield when insecticides were applied early. One study found higher yields when insecticides were applied at times of suspected crop susceptibility.Profit and costs: One controlled study from the Philippines found higher profits and similar costs when insecticides were only applied at times of suspected crop susceptibility. Crops studied were aubergine, barley, maize, pear and stringbean.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F723https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F723Thu, 30 May 2013 12:36:53 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter lighting A replicated, controlled study in Norway reported lower numbers of lice on salmon kept in low intensity artificial light or natural lighting. The more intense the artificial light was, the higher the number of lice found on fish. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F741https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F741Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:41:00 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with bacteria or fungiBiodiversity: One randomized, replicated trial from India showed that adding soil bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi resulted in higher microbial diversity. Soil organic matter: One controlled, randomized, replicated trial from Turkey found increased soil organic matter content in soil under mycorrhizal-inoculated compost applications Yield: Two randomized, replicated trials (including one also controlled) from India and Turkey found higher crop yields. SOIL TYPES COVERED: clay-loam, sandy-loam.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F888https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F888Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:41:47 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with composts not otherwise specifiedOne controlled, randomized, replicated trial in Italy found that applying a high rate of compost increased soil organic matter levels, microbial biomass and fruit yield. SOIL TYPES COVERED: Silty-clay.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F889https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F889Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:32:44 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with municipal wastes or their compostsTwo controlled, replicated trials in Spain and the United Kingdom measured the effect of adding wastes to the soil. One trial found that adding municipal compost to semi-arid soils greatly reduced soil loss and water runoff. One found mixed results of adding composts and wastes. SOIL TYPES COVERED: coarse loamy, sandy loam.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F890https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F890Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:29:39 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with organic processing wastes or their compostsTwo controlled, replicated trials from Spain and the United Kingdom (one also randomized) measured the effect of adding composts to soil. One trial found applying high rates of cotton gin compost and poultry manure improved soil structure and reduced soil loss, but increased nutrient loss. One trial found improved nutrient retention and increased barley Hordeum vulgare yield when molasses were added. SOIL TYPES COVERED: sandy-clay, sandy loam, silty-clay.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F891https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F891Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:50:01 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with non-chemical minerals and mineral wastesTwo replicated studies from Australia and New Zealand measured the effects of adding minerals and mineral wastes to the soil. Both found reduced nutrient loss and one study found reduced erosion. SOIL TYPES COVERED: Sandy clay, silt loam.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F892https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F892Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:58:48 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil using a mix of organic and inorganic amendmentsBiodiversity: Five controlled trials from China and India (four also randomized and replicated), and one study from Japan found higher microbial biomass and activity in soils with a mix of manure and inorganic fertilizers. Manure alone also increased microbial biomass. One trial found increased microbial diversity. Erosion: One controlled, replicated trial from India found that mixed amendments were more effective at reducing the size of cracks in dry soil than inorganic fertilizers alone or no fertilizer. SOC loss: Four controlled, randomized, replicated trials and one controlled trial from China and India found more organic carbon in soils with mixed fertilizers. Manure alone also increased organic carbon. One trial also found more carbon in soil amended with inorganic fertilizers and lime. SOM loss: Two controlled, randomized, replicated trials from China and India found more nutrients in soils with manure and inorganic fertilizers. One controlled, randomized, replicated trial from China found inconsistent effects of using mixed manure and inorganic fertilizers. Yield: Two controlled, randomized, replicated trials from China found increased maize Zea mays yield in soils with mixed manure and inorganic fertilizer amendments. SOIL TYPES COVERED: clay, clay loam, sandy-loam, silt clay loam, silty-loam.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F902https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F902Tue, 01 Oct 2013 14:46:11 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with crops grown as green manuresTwo controlled, randomized, replicated studies from India and Pakistan found higher soil organic carbon, or increased grain yields when green manures were grown. SOIL TYPES COVERED: Clay loam.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F908https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F908Wed, 02 Oct 2013 15:31:30 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with formulated chemical compoundsNutrient loss: Three of five replicated trials from New Zealand and the UK measured the effect of applying nitrification inhibitors to the soil and three found reduced nitrate losses and nitrous oxide emissions, although one of these found that the method of application influenced its effect [Thompson]. One trial found no effect on nitrate loss. One trial found reduced nutrient and soil loss when aluminium sulphate was applied to the soil. Soil organic matter: Five of six studies (including three controlled, randomized and replicated and one randomized and replicated) from Australia, China, India, Syria and the UK testing the effects of adding chemical compounds to the soil showed an increase in soil organic matter or carbon when nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer was applied. One site comparison study showed that a slow-release fertilizer resulted in higher nutrient retention. One study found higher carbon levels when NPK fertilizers were applied with straw, than when applied alone, and one replicated study from France found higher soil carbon when manure rather than chemical compounds were applied. Yield: One replicated trial from India and a trial from the Philippines showed that maize, wheat and rice yield increased with increased fertilizer application. Soil types covered: clay, fine loamy, gravelly-sandy loam, loam, loamy sand, sandy loam, silty, silty-clay, silt-loam.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F909https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F909Wed, 02 Oct 2013 15:34:13 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with fresh plant material or crop remainsBiodiversity: One randomized, replicated experiment from Belgium found increased microbial biomass when crop remains and straw were added. Compaction: One study from India found improved soil structure when straw was incorporated. One before-and-after trial from the UK found that incorporating straw residues by discing (reduced tillage) did not improve anaerobic soils (low oxygen levels) in compacted soils. Erosion: Two randomized, replicated studies from Canada and India measured the effect of incorporating straw on erosion. One found straw addition reduced soil loss, and one found mixed effects depending on soil type. Nutrient loss: Four replicated studies from Belgium, the UK and the USA (one also controlled, one also randomized, and two also controlled and randomized) reported higher soil nitrogen levels when compost or straw was applied, but mixed results when processed wastes were added. One also found reduced nitrate leaching when straw was incorporated. One replicated study from China and the Philippines found mixed results depending on site. Soil organic carbon: Six studies from China, Denmark and India measured the effect of incorporating plant material into the soil. All (including one replicated, two randomized, replicated studies, one controlled, randomized, replicated studies and one controlled before-and-after site comparison) found higher carbon levels when plant material was added. One found higher carbon levels when straw was applied along with NPK fertilizers. One also found larger soil aggregates. One replicated study from China and the Philippines found mixed results depending on site. Yield: One replicated trial from Denmark found higher barley yield when straw was incorporated. One trial from the Philippines found higher grain yields when crop remains were incorporated earlier in the season. Soil types covered: clay, clay loam, fine loam, loam/sandy loam, loamy sand, sandy, sandy clay loam, sandy loam, sandy-silt, silt loam, silty, silty-clay.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F910https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F910Thu, 03 Oct 2013 09:06:37 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amend the soil with manures and agricultural compostsBiodiversity loss: Three controlled, replicated studies from the UK and USA found higher microbial biomass when manure or compost was applied, and higher microbial respiration when poultry manure was applied. Erosion: One controlled, randomized, replicated study from India found lower soil loss and water runoff with manure application in combination with other treatments. Nutrient management: Four studies from Canada, Spain, the UK and the USA measured the effect of a variety of manure types on soil nutrient levels. Of these, three randomized, replicated studies (two also controlled) found reduced nutrient loss and higher nitrogen levels when farmyard or poultry manure was applied. One also found lower nutrient loss when farmyard manure (rather than poultry manure or slurry) was applied in winter rather than autumn. One controlled replicated study found higher nitrate leaching. Soil organic carbon: Four studies (including three controlled, replicated studies (one also randomized) and a review) from India, Japan and the UK found higher carbon levels when manures were applied. Soil organic matter: One controlled, randomized, replicated study from Turkey found higher organic matter, larger soil aggregations and a positive effect on soil physical properties when manure and compost were applied. Two studies from Denmark and Germany found no effect of manure on organic matter levels. Yield: Four controlled, replicated studies (including three also randomized) from India, Spain and Turkey found higher crop yields when manures or compost were applied. One study found higher yields when manure were applied in combination with cover crops. Soil types covered: Clay loam, fine sandy-silty loam, loam, loamy, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, silty loam, and sandy silt loam.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F911https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F911Thu, 03 Oct 2013 11:10:07 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Biological control using native predators One replicated, controlled study conducted in Belgium found the introduction of the northern pike led to a strong decline in bullfrog tadpole numbers.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1039https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1039Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:18:58 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Biological control of co-occurring beneficial species No evidence was captured on the effects of removing co-occurring beneficial species on the control of American bullfrogs. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1040https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1040Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:19:09 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Habitat modification No evidence was captured on the effects of habitat modification on the control of American bullfrogs. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1041https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1041Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:19:26 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Draining ponds and altering the length of time for which the pond contains water No evidence was captured on the effects of draining ponds or altering the length of time for which ponds contain water on the control of American bullfrogs. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1042https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1042Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:20:07 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Fencing No evidence was captured on the effects of fencing on the control of American bullfrogs. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1044https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1044Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:20:33 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Direct removal of adults One replicated study in Belgium found catchability of adult bullfrogs in small shallow ponds using one double fyke net for 24 h to be very low. One small study in the USA found that bullfrog adults can be captured overnight in a single trap floating on the water surface. One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that bullfrog populations rapidly rebounded following intensive removal of the adults. One before-and-after study in France found a significant reduction in the number of recorded adults and juveniles following the shooting of metamorphosed individuals before reproduction, when carried out as part of a combination treatment.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1045https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1045Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:20:46 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Direct removal of juveniles One replicated study in Belgium found double fyke nets were effective in catching bullfrog tadpoles in small shallow ponds. One before-and-after study in France found a significant reduction in the number of recorded adults and juveniles following the removal of juveniles by trapping, when carried out as part of a combination treatment.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1046https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1046Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:20:59 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Collection of egg clutches Despite reference to removal of egg clutches in some studies using bilge pumps or nets, no evidence was captured on the effects of egg collection on American bullfrogs. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1047https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1047Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:21:15 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: American bullfrog control: Application of a biocide One replicated, controlled study in the USA found a number of chemicals killed American bullfrogs, including caffeine (10% solution), chloroxylenol (5% solution), and a combined treatment of Permethrin (4.6% solution) and Rotenone (1% solution).  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1048https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F1048Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:21:26 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter road surfaces One study evaluated the effects of altering road surfaces on reptile populations. This study was in Canada. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One replicated study in Canada found that paved roads were not used more by Blanding’s turtles than unpaved roads. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3504https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3504Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:00:05 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter water flow rates One study evaluated the effects of altering water flow rates on reptile populations. This study was in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One before-and-after study in Australia found that releasing a large flow of water into a wetland system had mixed effects on relative abundance of eastern long-necked turtles and the number of turtles caught. Condition (1 study): One before-and-after study in Australia found that after releasing a large flow of water into a wetland system, body condition of eastern long-necked turtles improved. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3666https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3666Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:17:59 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratio: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of altering incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratios on tuatara populations. Both studies were in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES): Offspring sex ratio (2 studies): Two replicated studies (including one controlled study) in New Zealand found that hatchling sex ratio of tuatara was affected by temperature, and that warmer temperatures resulted in more males. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3765https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3765Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:00:12 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter mowing regimes on greenspaces and road verges Seven studies evaluated the effects of altering mowing regimes on greenspaces and road verges on butterflies and moths. One study was in each of Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, the UK, Canada and Sweden. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Richness/diversity (3 studies): Two replicated, paired, controlled studies in Germany and the UK found that less frequently mown or unmown urban greenspaces had a higher species richness and diversity of butterflies and moths than more frequently mown areas. One replicated, site comparison study in Canada found that the management of road verges (and land under power lines) did not affect the species richness of butterflies. POPULATION RESPONSE (4 STUDIES) Abundance (3 studies): Two replicated studies (including one paired, controlled study) in the UK and Canada found that unmown public parks and road verges (and land under power lines) had a higher abundance of all adult butterflies and pearl crescent and northern pearl crescent butterflies than regularly mown areas, but the abundance of other butterflies on the road verges (and under power lines) was similar between mown and unmown areas in the second study. One study in Finland found that roadsides mown in late summer had more ringlet butterflies than those mown in mid-summer. Survival (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Poland found that road verges mown less frequently, or later in summer, had fewer dead butterflies killed by traffic than more frequently or earlier mown verges. BEHAVIOUR (2 STUDIES) Use (2 studies): One replicated, site comparison study in Sweden reported that less frequently mown urban grasslands were more frequently occupied by scarce copper butterflies than more frequently mown grasslands. One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the Netherlands found that butterflies were recorded on verges which were mowed once or twice a year and those which were not mowed, but on mowed verges butterflies were only recorded on those where hay was removed. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3841https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3841Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:45:31 +0100
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust