Effect of wetting-up ditches on emergent insect numbers
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Published source details
Aquilina R., Williams P. & Nicolet P. (2007) Effect of wetting-up ditches on emergent insect numbers. Aspects of Applied Biology, 81, 261-262.
Published source details Aquilina R., Williams P. & Nicolet P. (2007) Effect of wetting-up ditches on emergent insect numbers. Aspects of Applied Biology, 81, 261-262.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Manage ditches to benefit wildlife Action Link |
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Raise water levels in ditches or grassland Action Link |
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Manage ditches to benefit wildlife
A replicated controlled study of 32 ditches in arable and pastoral land in 2005 in Leicestershire, UK (Aquilina et al. 2007) (same study as (Defra 2007)) found that bunded ditches, which dammed water, had significantly greater invertebrate biomass than controls (dry weight: 10 g/m² vs 4 g/m²). Invertebrate families other than flies (Diptera) showed a more mixed response to bunding. Ditches were bunded (small dams placed across ditches) and slightly widened in 5-20 m lengths, with equal length control sections approximately 50 m upstream. Five insect emergence traps (0.5 mm mesh, surface area 0.1 m²) were spaced along each section. Samples were collected every two weeks (April-August 2005), invertebrates identified to family and recorded as biomass estimates.
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Raise water levels in ditches or grassland
A replicated controlled study of 32 ditches in arable and pastoral land in 2005 in Leicestershire, UK (Aquilina et al. 2007) (same study as (Defra 2007)) found that bunded ditches, which dammed water, had significantly greater invertebrate biomass than controls (dry weight: 10 g/m² vs 4 g/m²). Invertebrate families other than flies (Diptera) showed a more mixed response to bunding. Ditches were bunded (small dams placed across ditches) and slightly widened in 5-20 m lengths, with equal length control sections approximately 50 m upstream. Five insect emergence traps (0.5 mm mesh, surface area 0.1 m²) were spaced along each section. Samples were collected every two weeks (April-August 2005), invertebrates identified to family and recorded as biomass estimates.
