Countryside Stewardship Scheme and butterflies: a study of plant and butterfly species richness

Published source details Field R., Gardiner T., Mason C. & Hill J. (2006) Countryside Stewardship Scheme and butterflies: a study of plant and butterfly species richness. Biodiversity and Conservation, 15, 443-452.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives) Action Link
	Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields Action Link
	Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields Action Link

Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

A replicated, controlled study in 1996–2000 on three arable farms in Essex, UK (Field et al. 2006, same experimental set-up as Field & Mason 2005, Field et al. 2005, Field et al. 2007a, Field et al. 2007b) found that 2-m-wide sown grass margins which farmers were paid to create, but not 6-m-wide grass margins, had higher butterfly species richness than field edges without grass margins. Butterfly species richness was higher in 2-m-wide agri-environment scheme grass margins (8–9 species) than in cropped field edges without margins (5–7 species), but was not significantly different in 6-m-wide margins compared to cropped field edges (data not presented). Species richness was also higher on 2-m grass margins sown with a more diverse seed mixture, and was higher on 2-m grass-sown margins next to hedgerows than on margins without hedgerows (data not presented). In October 1996–1998, twenty-six margins were established according to Countryside Stewardship Scheme requirements on three farms: 13 grass-sown that were 2 m wide, five grass-sown that were 6 m wide, three naturally regenerated (6 m wide) and five cropped field edges (2 and 6 m wide). Grass-sown margins were established using seed mixtures containing 4–9 common grass species. Butterflies were monitored weekly in summer from 1997–2000 in suitable weather.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields

A replicated, controlled study in 1996–2000 on three arable farms in Essex, UK (Field et al. 2006, same experimental set-up as Field & Mason 2005, Field et al. 2005, 2007a, 2007b) found that 2-m-wide sown grass margins, but not 6-m-wide grass margins, had higher butterfly species richness than field edges without grass margins. Butterfly species richness was higher in 2-m-wide grass margins (8–9 species) than in cropped field edges without margins (5–7 species), but was not significantly different in 6-m-wide margins compared to cropped field edges (data not presented). Species richness was also higher on 2-m grass margins sown with a more diverse seed mixture, and was higher on 2-m grass-sown margins next to hedgerows than on margins without hedgerows (data not presented). In October 1996–1998, twenty-six margins were established on three farms: 13 grass-sown that were 2-m-wide, five grass-sown that were 6-m-wide, three naturally regenerated (6 m wide) and five cropped field edges (2 and 6 m wide). Grass-sown margins were established using seed mixtures containing 4–9 common grass species. Butterflies were monitored weekly in summer from 1997–2000 in suitable weather.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields

A replicated, controlled study in 1997-2000 in Essex, UK (Field et al. 2006) found significantly greater butterfly (Lepidoptera) species richness on 2 m sown grass margins, but not on 6 m (study does not distinguish sown from naturally regenerated 6 m margins) grass margins compared to control sites (field edges without grass margins). Butterfly species richness was also higher on 2 m grass margins sown with a more diverse seed mixture. Significantly higher butterfly diversity was found on 2 m grass-sown margins adjacent to hedgerows than on those without hedgerows. No significant differences were found in butterfly species richness between 6 m margins and controls. Plant species richness was higher on both 2 and 6 m margins running alongside hedgerows than on those without hedgerows. The 6 m margins established by natural regeneration held the highest plant species richness. Twenty-six margins were established on three farms in October 1996-1998: grass-sown (2 m-wide), grass-sown (6 m-wide), naturally regenerated (6 m-wide), control crop (2 and 6 m-wide). Grass sown margins were established using a range of grass seed mixtures containing common grass species. All plant species in the margins and adjacent hedgerows were recorded in July-August 1998-2000 and abundance measured using the DAFOR scale. Butterflies in margins and control sites were monitored weekly along transects between 1997 and 2000 in suitable weather. This study is part of the same experimental set-up as Field et al. 2005, Field & Mason 2005, Field et al. 2007a, Field et al. 2007b.