The effects of agricultural lands management strategies for biodiversity recovery in Taroko National Park

Published source details Yen S.C., Pan Y.C. & Wang L.H. (2018) 太魯閣國家公園農地管理策略對生物多樣性恢復之效果. Journal of National Park (Taiwan), 28, 29-43.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore arable land to permanent grassland Action Link
	Convert to organic farming Action Link

Restore arable land to permanent grassland

A replicated, paired, site comparison study in 2017 on four farms in Hualien County, Taiwan (Yen et al. 2018) found that former cropland restored by natural regeneration had a higher species richness of butterflies, but a similar total abundance, than cultivated farms. On uncultivated, restored farms, the species richness of butterflies (16 species/farm) was higher than on active, conventional farms (9 species/farm), but the abundance of butterflies was similar between farms (restored: 185 individuals/ha; active: 191 individuals/ha). Within a National Park, 78 ha of restored former farmland had not been cultivated since the Park was established (number of years not given), and 39 ha of farmland remained in production. In each of two areas, one restored and one active farm were selected. Farms were 250–3,200 m apart. From May–September 2017, butterflies were surveyed once/month along 150-m transects at each farm (number not specified).

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Convert to organic farming

A replicated, paired, site comparison study in 2017 in four farms in Hualien County, Taiwan (Yen et al. 2018) found that organic farms had a similar abundance and species richness of butterflies to conventional farms. On organic farms, the abundance (287 individuals/ha) and species richness (11 species/farm) of butterflies was not significantly different from that on conventional farms (abundance: 191 individuals/ha; richness: 9 species/farm). Within a National Park, 39 ha of farmland remained in production and farmers were encouraged to convert to organic farming. In each of two areas, one organic and one conventional farm were selected (number of years since conversion to organic not given). Farms were 250–3,200 m apart. From May–September 2017, butterflies were surveyed once/month along 150-m transects at each farm (number not specified).

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)