Study

Organic farming supports spatiotemporal stability in species richness of bumblebees and butterflies

  • Published source details Carrie R., Ekroos J. & Smith H.G. (2018) Organic farming supports spatiotemporal stability in species richness of bumblebees and butterflies. Biological Conservation, 227, 48-55.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Convert to organic farming

Action Link
Butterfly and Moth Conservation
  1. Convert to organic farming

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2015–2017 on 19 mixed farms in Scania, Sweden (Carrie et al. 2018) found that organic farms had more consistent butterfly species richness across the farm than conventional farms. Across three field types, butterfly species richness was more consistent on organic than on conventional farms (data presented as model results). However, the consistency of butterfly species richness within a single field type throughout the summer, and between years, was similar on organic and conventional farms. On each of 10 organic and nine conventional farms, three fields were surveyed: a cereal field, a grass ley (rotational, sown, improved grassland), and a semi-natural grassland. From May–August 2015–2017, butterflies were surveyed five times (two weeks apart) along two 100-m transects/field.

    (Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)

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