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In mosaic landscapes, environmental heterogeneity has been pointed out as an outstanding driver of emergent biodiversity patterns. Whether environmental heterogeneity elicits an increasing, decreasing or hump-shaped response of biodiversity depends on species, scale and type of agricultural land use and management. In this study, we analyzed ground-dwelling ant diversity in agroecosystems of Southern Dry Chaco (SDC) at local and landscape scales. We carried out the study along a gradient of agriculture intensification, taking into account five land-use and land-cover (LULC) classes: fallow lands, secondary forests, pastures, woody crops and herbaceous crops. We analyzed ant species richness and community composition in relation to local environmental heterogeneity as well as to landscape compositional heterogeneity. Changes in ant community composition were mainly related to species replacement along the LULC gradient, with fallow lands and secondary forests harboring the highest ant species richness. Biotic heterogeneity, promoted by vegetation, explained the pattern of ant diversity at local scale, whereas dissimilarity between neighboring LULC types explained ant species richness at landscape scale. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting natural and semi-natural vegetation as well as managing landscape compositional structure to enhance ant diversity in agroecosystems of the SDC. • Land use and land cover lead to changes in ant species richness and community composition in agroecosystems of Dry Chaco. • Ground-dwelling ant species richness decreases in land under agricultural intensification. • Lands with natural and semi-natural vegetation harbor most of ground-dwelling ant species richness. • Contrast between neighboring plots affected negatively ant species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grazed agricultural landscapes provide important habitats for many frog species. • Frogs responded to interactions between management and environmental variables. • Frog abundance increased with proximity to water, more in remnants than in paddocks. • Taller ground cover in remnants resulted in greater abundance of some frogs. Improved management of human-modified landscapes must be part of global efforts to combat biodiversity loss. We aimed to identify which land management types and environmental factors influenced the use of grazing landscapes by frogs. We surveyed frog assemblages in remnant vegetation, four different paddock types (pasture, linear planting, coarse woody debris addition and fence), and two grazing regimes (continuous and rotational). Frogs were surveyed using pitfall and funnel traps in twelve grazing farms in south-eastern Australia. We found that grazed agricultural landscapes provide important habitats for a variety of species of frogs and that frog assemblages were influenced by both farm management type and environmental variables, and their interactions. Total frog abundance increased with proximity to water more strongly in remnants compared to paddocks. This difference in response may be due to different traits and behaviours of frogs in remnants compared to frogs in open paddocks. Rare frog species richness and abundance of a common species (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) increased with taller ground cover in remnants but no such relationship occurred in paddocks. Different types of predation risk in remnants compared to paddocks may result in greater ground cover shelter requirements in remnants, as vegetation structure can strongly influence predation. Total frog species richness increased more rapidly with higher rainfall in continuously grazed versus rotationally grazed farms. Higher rainfall was associated with taller ground cover. Continuously grazed farms had shorter average ground cover than rotationally grazed farms and the increased ground cover height associated with more rain may bring ground cover to a height better able to provide shelter and reduce desiccation risk for frogs. Our study highlights the importance of both land management practices and environmental conditions and their interaction in shaping frog assemblages. Improved frog biodiversity conservation may be achieved in grazing landscapes by retaining patches of remnant vegetation, maintaining water bodies such as farm dams, and maintaining tall ground cover within vegetation remnants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts are underway in many areas to restore riparian zones to arrest and/or reverse their degradation and the subsequent loss of the ecosystem services they provide. Despite strong links between edaphic conditions and riparian zone function, limited research has tested how soil properties respond to restoration, especially in an experimental context. With this important knowledge gap in mind, we established a field experiment to asssess structural vegetation and soil responses in the eight years following livestock exclusion and replanting in lowland streams in south-eastern Australia. On three streams, paired restored and control sites were experimentally established and we monitored vegetation (stem density, cover of bare ground and tree canopy, and loadings of organic matter), once beforehand, and then biennually after restoration. Selected soil properties (total carbon, total nitrogen, plant-available phosphorus) were sampled once shortly after restoration, then after another five years. Significant changes in structural vegetation occurred (e.g. decreased bare ground, increased plant stem density, organic matter, and canopy cover). In contrast, those soil properties did not respond. A mega-drought occurred throughout much of the study which was immediately followed by severe flooding. The floods redistributed organic matter at our study sites, with this effect mediated by vegetation structure: the probability of organic matter retention was positively correlated with groundcover and stem density of plants. The timing of flooding was also correlated with increased soil carbon and nitrogen, which could be due to increased productivity in these systems (for the former), or potentially due to increased fertiliser inputs or increased fixation (for the latter). Our study is the first to comprehensively and experimentally test how vegetation, litter layer and surface soil properties respond following riparian restoration, and will help guide the development and implementation of other monitoring programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, as the human population increases, so does the demand for developable land. More than ever, agricultural land is being developed to meet housing and commercial needs, but at the same time is necessary for food security and other critical ecosystem services (ES). High quality agricultural lands (i.e. those which can support high yields, a diversity of crops, and are resilient to climate change) may play an important role in balancing the demand for housing, food, and other ES. In this paper, we used the Ecosystem Service framework to investigate the quality of agricultural lands beyond that of their value for food production. We conducted our study in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, where the issue of agricultural land loss is particularly relevant due to severe development pressure, few restrictions on land use, and limited arable land. We quantified the relationships between agricultural land quality and ES supply in 2016, and then measured how ES supply is likely to change in the future under a "Business as Usual" land use scenario. We found that higher quality agricultural land was associated with food provision, livestock crop production, and nitrogen retention, whereas lower quality agricultural land was associated with carbon sequestration, habitat quality, and recreation. Urban development is projected to occur disproportionately on higher quality agricultural land. Over 15 times more higher quality agricultural land will be developed between 2016 and 2050 compared to lower quality agricultural land. With the expected loss of agricultural land to development, the landscape in 2050 will have a lower supply of four of the six chosen ES compared to 2016. We found that livestock crop production will decrease the most over the time period (−28.8%) followed by food provision (−22.8%), nitrogen retention (−19.3%), and habitat quality (−7.4%). However, carbon sequestration (+5.5%) and recreation (+1.6%) will increase. Overall, we found strong evidence that certain ES are associated with varying levels of agricultural land quality and higher quality agricultural land was shown to be particularly vulnerable to urban development. Our results suggest the need to consider additional values of agricultural land beyond its use for food production. We recommend the implementation of policies that consider the trade-offs of developing on varying quality of agricultural land to help balance the many competing demands of our lands. • Agricultural land is frequently converted to meet urbanization needs. • Higher quality agricultural land is especially vulnerable to development. • Ecosystem service supply varies with agricultural land quality. • With development, the future landscape will supply less ecosystem services. • Protection across agricultural land qualities is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging planning framework for climate adaptation focuses on interactions among societal values , institutional rules and scientific and experiential knowledge about biophysical impacts of climate change and adaptation options. These interactions shape the decision context that can enable or constrain effective adaptation. To illustrate the operationalisation of this ‘values-rules-knowledge’ (VRK) framework we developed biophysical adaptation pathways for agricultural landscapes of south-eastern Australia, which are expected to become warmer and drier under climate change. We used the VRK framework to identify potential constraints to implementing the pathways. Drawing on expert knowledge, published literature, biodiversity modelling and stakeholder workshops we identified potential adaptation pathways for (1) the production matrix, (2) high conservation value remnant eucalypt woodlands, and (3) woodland trees. Adaptation options included shifts from mixed cropping-grazing to rangeland grazing or biomass enterprises; promoting re-assembly of native ecological communities; and maintaining ecosystem services and habitat that trees provide. Across all pathways, applying the VRK framework elucidated fifteen key implementation constraints, including limits to farm viability, decreasing effectiveness of environmental legislation and conflicting values about exotic plants. Most of the constraints involved interactions among VRK; 13 involved rules, eight involved values, and seven involved knowledge. Value constraints appeared most difficult to address, whereas those based on rules or knowledge were more tangible. The lower number of knowledge constraints may reflect the scale of our analysis (which focused on decision points in pre-defined pathways); new knowledge and participatory approaches would likely yield a richer set of scenarios. We conclude that the VRK framework helps connect the biophysical knowledge-based view of adaptation with a perspective on the need for changes in social systems, enabling targeting of constraints to adaptation. Our focus on pathways and decision points in different sectors of the multi-use landscape highlighted the importance of group and higher level planning and policy for balancing the collective outcomes of multiple decisions by many land managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is consensus that land-use change is a main driver behind the recent declines of many pollinator populations in Europe. However, it is still not adequately understood how the local resource quality and landscape composition influence pollinators, and if and how the effects vary in space and time. We analysed the influence of landscape- (2 km radius) and local scale- (50 m transects) resources on bumblebee species richness and abundance during two years in South-eastern Norway, where agriculture is highly modernised but landscapes still show limited spatial homogenization. Local flower density and species richness were strongly positively associated with bumblebee densities and species richness, but higher landscape-level flower species richness were linked to lower local bumblebee abundances. Early and late mass flowering crops had clear, but contrasting, effects. The total area of early flowering crops had a consistent negative impact on bumblebee density and species richness throughout the season, while late flowering crops had a positive impact in the beginning of the season before their bloom, suggesting a carry-over effect from previous years. The negative effects of early flowering crops could be due to competition of bumblebees with honey-bees, which are widely used in these crops. Bumblebee density and species richness were clearly negatively correlated with the total area of forest and flower-poor land use areas, including grass fields and cereals. In contrast, bumblebees were positively associated with most linear elements in the landscape (especially pasture and cropland verges), except for roads, which negatively affected bumblebee densities, possibly due to increased mortality, since the quality of the flower resources did not differ from other linear elements. Our results show that the quality and the spatial and temporal distribution of flower resources within the landscape are important drivers for bumblebees, but can create counterintuitive distribution patterns depending on the temporal and spatial resolution of the survey. Increasing flower resources in linear elements and the amount of late mass-flowering crops may be viable management measures to improve conditions for bumblebees in moderately intensified landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern about food security is prompting a push to intensify agriculture globally. However, agricultural intensification can inhibit regeneration of vegetation in natural ecosystems. This may jeopardise the persistence of trees in agricultural landscapes and the ecosystem services these treed landscapes offer. Here, we study one of the world’s most altered ecosystems – temperate eucalypt woodlands – to explore patterns in natural regeneration of trees, and factors influencing regeneration occurrence, across 300 000 km 2 of south-eastern Australia between 2008 and 2014. During this period, we found the proportion of remnants supporting natural regeneration was stable, and that regeneration occurrence was negatively associated with variables coincident with agricultural intensification: continuous livestock grazing by sheep and cattle, increased exotic plant cover, increased natural soil fertility, and lower elevation. These results indicate that intensive agriculture is incompatible with natural regeneration in our study area. Left unaddressed, low levels of regeneration may result in the widespread loss of trees and the ecosystem services they provide in agricultural landscapes. Thus, strategic implementation of land-sparing and land-sharing strategies is required across broad spatial scales to satisfy production and conservation needs. Based on our results, we recommend that land sharing be prioritised where: (1) livestock grazing can be removed or employed intermittently, (2) exotic plants do not dominate the ground layer, and (3) natural soil fertility is low. For locations that are continuously grazed or dominated by exotic plants, a land-sparing strategy may be more appropriate. Here, farmland should be managed to maximise production, and the next generation of trees should be ‘moved’ to areas where natural regeneration can be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use changes, including agricultural intensification and farmland abandonment, influence biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. However, few studies have focused on how the two major land-use changes affect different types of species at landscape scales. This study examined the relationships between the richness and abundance of five bird groups (agricultural wetland species, agricultural land species, grassland species, edge species, and woodland species) as well as the total species richness and abundance, and intensification or abandonment in 28 square, 100-ha grid cells in paddy-dominated landscapes in the Tone River basin of central Japan. Rice-field intensification and abandonment were not completely segregated spatially: intensification occurred in both plain and hilly areas surrounded by forests, while abandonment tended to occur in hilly areas. The effects of intensification and abandonment differed among species groups and between seasons. The richness or abundance of agricultural wetland species in summer were negatively associated with both intensification and abandonment. While the abundance of agricultural land species in winter and grassland species in both seasons were positively associated with intensification and abandonment, respectively. The total species richness and abundance did not show clear association with intensification and abandonment due to a variety of responses of the five bird groups. Based on prefectural Red Data Books, agricultural wetland species, followed by grassland species, were more threatened than other three groups in both summer and winter. This study found that (1) the diversity of habitats (including consolidated and abandoned farmlands) provides buffer areas for the different bird groups on different times of the year and (2) agricultural wetland species that use flooded rice fields in summer, such as egrets and shorebirds, are particularly threatened by both intensification and abandonment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological pest control is one of the key services from which agricultural production benefits. Despite being a well-studied ecosystem service, the potential of different matrices in shaping natural enemy contributions to pest predation is not yet clear. We used an experimental approach with predation experiments to investigate whether matrices with different degrees of structural similarity to the native forest (coffee and pasture) modulated the effects of forest cover and forest proximity on predation rate from different natural enemies. The effects of landscape structure on predation rates varied with natural enemy response to matrix type. Predation rates by arthropods (the main natural enemy acting in both matrices) were higher in coffee plantations and were positively and negatively affected by landscape and local forest cover, respectively. Predation rates by birds were higher near the forest in both matrices and two times higher in coffee plantations than in pastures. Regardless of natural enemy identity, predation rates inside agricultural matrices were higher in low-contrasting matrices, and increase with forest cover and proximity to forest. Given the clear importance of matrix type in modulating the effects of forest cover and forest proximity on predation rates, we recommend that agricultural management consider reducing habitat-matrix contrasts while increasing contact and habitat cover in the landscape to improve biological pest control. Among matrix management strategies, we recommend within-farm actions that would lead to greater matrix heterogeneity and permeability, along with an increase in landscape habitat cover, such as more sustainable and wildlife-friendly agricultural systems and the restoration of protected areas within farms. [Display omitted] • Matrix type affects predation rates by natural enemies in agricultural landscapes. • Predation by birds is lower far from the forest and within pasture matrices. • Predation by arthropods varies with forest cover and is higher in coffee matrices. • Overall predation is higher near forest-coffee edges and at high forest cover. • Increasing forest cover, forest-matrix likeness and contact may benefit pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian agricultural landscape, which accounts for approximately 12.6% of the world’s agricultural land, is highly heterogeneous due to the multicultural cropping system. Information regarding CO 2 exchange and carbon (C) balance of these agro-ecosystems is scarce, even though they are likely to immensely contribute to the global C budget. Net Ecosystem CO 2 Exchange (NEE) and Ecosystem respiration ( R eco ) were measured between 2009 and 2010 on 5 dominant crops (potato, rice, radish, cabbage and bean) in the Haean catchment of South Korea, using a closed chamber system to quantify CO 2 fluxes in this agricultural landscape characteristic of the Asian cropping system. Parallel measurements were conducted on leaf area index (LAI), plant biomass and climatic variables, mainly photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), air temperature, soil temperature and soil moisture. Biomass and LAI development differed among the crops likely as a result of differences in light use efficiencies ( α ) and carbon allocation patterns. The peak total biomass for radish, cabbage, potato, rice and bean were 0.53 ± 0.07, 0.55 ± 0.12, 1.85 ± 0.51, 2.54 ± 0.35 and 1.01 ± 0.26 kg m −2 , respectively, while the respective maximum LAI were 2.8, 3.7, 6.4, 6.3 and 6.7 m 2 m −2 . Variations in seasonal patterns, magnitudes and the timing of maximum NEE and gross primary production (GPP) among the crops were likely the result of differences in LAI and α . The lowest peak R eco rate was 3.8 ± 0.5 μmol m −2 s −1 , measured on rice paddies while the highest was 34.4 ± 4.3 μmol m −2 s −1 measured on the cabbage fields. The maximum NEE rates were −29.4 ± 0.4 and −38.7 ± 6.6 μmol m −2 s −1 , measured in potato and cabbage fields, respectively. Peak GPP rates in potato and cabbage fields were 39.5 ± 0.6 and 63.0 ± 7.2 μmol m −2 s −1 , respectively. PAR explained more than 90% of the diurnal variations in GPP, while LAI and α determined the seasonal trends of maximum GPP. The timing of maximum CO 2 assimilation (GPP Max ) differed among the crops, thus, even though maximum CO 2 uptake in the respective crops only lasted a couple of weeks, the effect of the staggered peak GPP resulted in extended period of high CO 2 uptake. These differences among crops were significant, hence, modeling approaches need to consider the heterogeneity in ecosystem CO 2 exchange associated with these multicultural agriculture landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian forests are strongly linked to stream ecosystems, and the creation and/or conservation of riparian forests can mitigate the influence of agriculture on streams. Although riparian forest buffers are commonly advocated as best management practices, the extent of forest necessary to effectively mitigate upstream agricultural effects on streams remains unresolved. To determine how soon agricultural streams exhibit detectable effects after entering forest fragments, we surveyed sixteen sites distributed across two 2nd-order headwater streams in agricultural landscapes of central Ohio that exhibit abrupt transitions as they flow from upstream agricultural land up to 1 km into downstream forest fragments. Along these transitions we measured leaf-colonizing benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, leaf-litter breakdown, and physicochemical habitat. Our results indicated that forest fragments can rapidly alter physicochemical and biological attributes of agricultural streams. At both study streams, daily maximum temperature declined within the first 200 m of entering forest fragments. Changes in water quality were more variable, but there was evidence of a strong decline in NO 3 –N along an agriculture-forest transition. There was also evidence of a decline in fine sediment with distance into the forest at one stream. Aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages exhibited strong changes in composition ranging from the forest edge up to 324 m into forest fragments. Taxa that declined after entering forests were generally more tolerant of anthropogenic disturbance and/or those that rely on in-stream primary productivity (i.e., scrapers) whereas most of the taxa that increased after entering forests were relatively sensitive to disturbance and rely on allochthonous organic matter inputs from the forest (i.e., shredders). Collectively, the rapid changes in biological and physicochemical attributes that we observed suggest that even relatively small forest fragments may be able to markedly influence impaired streams and that conservation and restoration of small, discontinuous forest fragments may be important for maintaining stream ecosystem integrity in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild bees provide essential pollination services to both agricultural crops and wild flowering plant species. The decline of wild bee species has been associated with a number of different threats, primarily the loss of natural habitats. The Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust (DF&WT), a non-profit conservation organization, incentivizes farmers to plant hedgerows consisting of native shrubs and trees on the edge of their production fields, mainly to create habitat for wildlife in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) of Delta in British Columbia, Canada. In this study, the value of the planted hedgerows was evaluated as foraging habitat for wild bees specifically. During the summers of 2015 and 2016, we surveyed bees and flowers in planted hedgerows, as well as the two other most dominant field margin habitats, remnant hedgerows and grass margins. The relationship between available floral resources and bee abundance and diversity, as well as bee-flower interactions, was analyzed and compared among these three habitat types. Overall, wild bees collected from flowers and pan traps were more abundant, species rich and significantly more diverse in grass margins compared to planted and remnant hedgerows. However, significant results were inconsistent between sampling methods and years, implying none of the habitat types stood out as clearly better. While the strongest relationship was found between floral abundance and bee abundance, it did not explain the differences between habitat types alone. Bee-flower interaction records showed that bees primarily visited herbaceous species mostly found in grass margins while only a few of the recommended woody plant species for hedgerow plantings were visited. The results indicate that grass margins could be a valuable alternative conservation approach or addition to woody hedgerows if properly planned and managed. These results can be used to help improve field edge management for the conservation of wild bee species. • Planted hedgerows did not increase wild bee abundance and diversity in comparison to remnant hedgerows and grass margins. • Floral abundance or diversity alone did not explain bee abundance or diversity. • Most wild bee–flower visitations were recorded on herbaceous species. • Floral species selection targeted at local wild bee communities is key for conservation measurements in field margins. • Grass margins revealed promising potential for wild bee conservation in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The loss of connectivity caused by habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. This is of particular concern in agricultural landscapes, which combine increased levels of fragmentation with larger numbers of endangered species than other landscapes. Corridors (e.g. linear landscape elements) are a popular conservation strategy to counteract fragmentation effects. Grassy field margins (GFMs) have been established throughout Europe as part of agri-environmental schemes. The primary goal of these measures is to protect water quality, but it is suggested biodiversity may benefit via a corridor function. Being set up along watercourses, GFMs may spontaneously form a coherent network of corridors in agricultural landscapes. We tested this hypothesis by monitoring movement strategies of Meadow brown butterflies (Maniola jurtina L.) in GFMs. Results indicated that butterfly movement was facilitated by this new landscape element, supporting its corridor function. Mechanistically, dispersal occurred through foraging movements rather than movements adapted to dispersal. Spatial configurations of GFMs were also explored in a large agricultural area and demonstrated that the GFM policy is adequate to provide a corridor function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Agricultural intensification has contributed to severe declines in odonate (dragonfly and damselfly) populations. Odonates require healthy waterbodies for their larval stages and resource-rich terrestrial landscapes as adults. As such, farmland management at both local and larger landscape scales may be needed to reverse population declines. We sampled odonate adults and exuviae from lowland farmland ponds in England, to investigate relationships between odonate species richness and surrounding land-use. The more mobile dragonflies (Anisoptera) were influenced most strongly by landscape variables at the largest scale (i.e. 1600m radius), while less mobile damselflies (Zygoptera) were affected by variables at more local scales (i.e. 100/400m radii). A greater number of landscape variables affected exuvial species richness compared to adult species richness. Exuvial species richness was higher when 2m wide cross-compliance buffer strips around ponds were present. However, no ponds in the study had buffer strips that were established through England''s basic agri-environment scheme (Entry Level Scheme: ELS) agreements, and we observed a negative relationship between ELS area and exuvial species richness. Exuvial species richness increased with the amount of water, but not the number of ponds, in the landscape surrounding a focal pond. The observed odonate responses to local and surrounding land-use lend support to the development of agri-environment scheme policies that encourage landscape-scale, as well as local, scheme implementation and management. We predict that both landscape-scale and quality-targeted management of farmland ponds would benefit odonates, irrespective of mobility level and life-stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A range of policy initiatives have been promoted in recent years to address the decline of bee populations in Europe and North America. Among these has been the establishment of flower-rich habitat within or around intensively farmed landscapes to increase the availability of pollen and nectar resources. The composition of these habitats depends on location and compatibility with adjacent cropping systems, but they often consist of fields planted with temporary flowering cover crops, field borders with perennial or annual flowering species, hedgerows comprising prolifically flowering shrubs, and grass buffer strips (used to manage erosion and nutrient runoff) which are supplemented with dicotyledonous flower species. While the primary objective of such measures is to increase the ecological fitness of pollinator populations through enhanced larval and adult nutrition, such strategies also provide secondary benefits to the farm and the surrounding landscape. Specifically, the conservation of pollinator habitat can enhance overall biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides (including pest population reduction), protect soil and water quality by mitigating runoff and protecting against soil erosion, and enhance rural aesthetics. Incorporating these secondary benefits into decision making processes is likely to help stakeholders to assess the trade-offs implicit in supplying ecosystem services. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The general aim of the study was to determine the main factors of plant species richness and composition in field boundaries. We surveyed the vegetation of field boundaries in organic and non-organic farms, recorded the field boundary type and width. We characterized landscape structure around the vegetation plots (r =250m). We classified plant species into two ecological response groups: (1) common weeds and other species occurring frequently on agricultural land, i.e. ‘agrotolerant species’ (47 species), and (2) all other species intolerant to contemporary agricultural practices—so-called ‘nature-value species’ (190 species). We analysed the effect of organic farming, boundary type and landscape structure on the diversity of these two species groups. We found that field boundary type and landscape structure described most of the variation in species composition of these boundaries, while organic farming had little effect. However, the analysis of plant species diversity revealed that organic farming significantly supported the species richness of high nature-value species by increasing species richness on average by two species on 4m2 plot, while the richness of agrotolerant species did not depend on farming type. Boundary type had a specific impact on species diversity—ditches enhanced the richness of nature-value species and suppressed agrotolerants; woody boundaries hosted only a few agrotolerant species and road verges increased the species richness of both species groups. The richness of nature-value species benefited from wider open boundaries, while narrow boundaries hosted more agrotolerant species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seed dispersal plays an important role in population dynamics in agricultural ecosystems, but the effects of surrounding vegetation height on seed dispersal and population connectivity on the landscape scale have rarely been studied. Understanding the effects of surrounding vegetation height on seed dispersal will provide important information for land-use management in agricultural landscapes to prevent the spread of undesired weeds or enhance functional connectivity. We used two model species, Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia, growing in small natural ponds known as kettle holes, in an agricultural landscape to evaluate the effects of surrounding vegetation height on wind dispersal and population connectivity between kettle holes. Seed dispersal distance and the probability of long-distance dispersal (LDD) were simulated with the mechanistic WALD model under three scenarios of "low", "dynamic" and "high" surrounding vegetation height. Connectivity between the origin and target kettle holes was quantified with a connectivity index adapted from Hanski and Thomas (1994). Our results show that mean seed dispersal distance decreases with the height of surrounding matrix vegetation, but the probability of long-distance dispersal (LDD) increases with vegetation height. This indicates an important vegetation-based trade-off between mean dispersal distance and LDD, which has an impact on connectivity. Matrix vegetation height has a negative effect on mean seed dispersal distance but a positive effect on the probability of LDD. This positive effect and its impact on connectivity provide novel insights into landscape level (meta-)population and community dynamics — a change in matrix vegetation height by land-use or climatic changes could strongly affect the spread and connectivity of wind-dispersed plants. The opposite effect of vegetation height on mean seed dispersal distance and the probability of LDD should therefore be considered in management and analyses of future land-use and climate change effects. • Mean dispersal distance decreases with increasing vegetation height. • Probability of long-distance dispersal (LDD) increases with vegetation height. • The vegetation-induced trade-off between mean dispersal distance and LDD impacts connectivity among kettle holes. • Vegetation height affects landscape connectivity and (meta-) population and community dynamics of wind-dispersed plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-habitat spillover (i.e. the movement of individuals between different habitat types) occurs very often in agricultural landscapes, following temporary crop resource pulses that work as complementary resources for biodiversity. We tested how avian spillover at edges of forest fragments is affected by the adjacent agricultural matrix contrast (sun coffee plantations or pastures), forest fragment size, and forest cover at the landscape scale. We performed paired mist netting at forest edges (forest/sun coffee plantations and forest/pastures; N = 24) and estimated the spillover ratio and the dissimilarity of birds moving in- and out- forest fragments. We found that avian spillover in highly fragmented landscapes is a bidirectional process regardless of species habitat association or feeding guild. Matrix type is a key driver of spillover, and most spillover occurred when the matrix is of less contrast (i.e. sun coffee plantations). Spillover ratio at coffee interfaces increased with forest cover and also with fragment size, meanwhile at pasture interfaces spillover only increased at high values of forest cover and fragment size. Finally, we found that the dissimilarity between bird species entering and leaving the fragments was higher in pasture matrices, while at coffee interfaces the dissimilarity was lower. Landscape management aimed at reducing the contrast between matrix and habitat, increasing habitat cover and maintaining large fragments can intensify spillover movements across natural and anthropogenic habitats, and potentially, promote more ecosystem service provision by those species that are performing spillover movements. • Avian cross-habitat spillover is a bidirectional process in agricultural landscapes. • Less contrasting matrices promote higher avian cross-habitat spillover. • Avian spillover responds non-linearly to forest fragment size. • Spillover dissimilarity is higher in more contrasting matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined bee communities by sweep-net and pan-trap sampling and quantified the number of ramets of floral resources in native tallgrass prairie fragments and nearby ruderal areas (within 2.1km) in Iowa, USA in the summer of 2004. Bee communities in ruderal areas were significantly less diverse than those in native tallgrass prairie remnants, with about half as many species and approximately a third as many bees. Diversity, abundance, and richness of floral resources were also significantly less in ruderal grasslands than in native prairies, indicating that poor floral resource levels may substantially depauperate their bee communities. Common bees dominated the composition of the ruderal grasslands; only one rare species in this study was found at a ruderal site, indicating that high-quality prairie remnants are important reservoirs of bee diversity. Abundance of flowering ramets of a plant species was a significant predictor of the abundance of bees found on that plant. There was also a preference for human-yellow flowers after adjusting for ramet abundance and there were significantly more bees caught in yellow pan traps than blue or white ones. The abundance, but not the richness, of small bee species (length≤7.5mm) was less than expected at ruderal sites when compared to prairies, implying the presence of local nesting opportunities in ruderal grasslands for small bees but insufficient resources to support large populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reviews conflicts between biodiversity conservation and agricultural activities in agricultural landscapes and evaluates strategies to reconcile such conflicts. Firstly, a historical perspective on the development of conflicts related to biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is presented. Secondly, recent trends in agricultural policies of the European Union that contribute to biodiversity decline in agricultural landscapes are considered. Three major processes responsible for creating biodiversity-related conflicts are described: the intensification of agriculture, the abandonment of marginally productive but High Nature Value Farmland, and the changing scale of agricultural operations. Conflicts created by these processes and approaches to their reconciliation are identified, emphasizing the need for monitoring as an integral part of conflict reconciliation strategies. A generic approach comprising three types of monitoring is developed for measuring success of reconciliation strategies: monitoring of the intensity of the conflict between stakeholders, of the social and economic effects on farmers, and of the status and trends in biodiversity. Surprisingly, we found no evidence in the literature that the first type of monitoring has ever been undertaken for biodiversity-related conflicts in agricultural landscapes. For each type of monitoring, suitable indicators are outlined. Finally, challenges for conflict management in agricultural landscapes are summarized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, the habitat use by the threatened Cabrera vole, Microtus cabrerae, was assessed in an agricultural landscape of SW Portugal, in order to evaluate agricultural management practices that might favour its populations. Despite the patchy distribution and the sensitivity in relation to human management, average colony size was 1928m2, and mean nearest neighbour distance was 363m. Within the selected habitats, the Cabrera vole''s activity was concentrated in sites with dense and tall herbs, though appearing to avoid areas where southern water voles, Arvicola sapidus, were present. Activity of Cabrera voles was higher during the winter, confirming the adverse effect of the dry periods for this species. Conservation of the Cabrera vole in agricultural landscapes would require the maintenance of a network of tall and dense herbaceous patches, which could possibly be established along field margins, road verges, and ditches, and supported by agri-environment subsidy schemes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Plant species richness and composition were studied in 16 1km2 agricultural landscape plots in SE Norway, in which a total of 2201 patches of 18 types (built-up areas omitted) were identified and mapped. Plots differed with respect to area covered by ploughed land (6–93, mean 47%) and woodland (1–90, mean 41%), while the area of boundary transitions, pastures and semi-natural land was low to moderate in all plots (2–22, mean 12%). Landscape complexity varied considerably among plots (from 31 to 285 discrete patches). A total of 738 species were recorded in the total studied area of 14.02km2, more than twice as many as in comparable studies with plot-based sampling. The frequency distribution of species in patches were strongly right-skewed with a median frequency of 1%, showing that in the modern agricultural landscape species are patchily distributed and that it is very common to be rare. Species frequencies in plots were bimodally distributed, demonstrating existence of a large group of regionally widespread, landscape-scale core species. Two major floristic gradients were identified by ordination of patch species composition: (1) a gradient from species with preference for open sites and fertile soils to species with tolerance for shaded sites and infertile soils, reflecting variation from intensively used areas (ploughed land, with prominence of weeds) via boundary transitions, extensively used (pastures) and abandoned (semi-natural) land, to woodland. Within ploughed land this gradient reflected variation in intensity of use, within abandoned land it reflected time since abandonment and the re-growth succession under closing canopies. (2) A gradient related to preference for dry versus moist sites. Strong between patch variation in species composition within patch types suggested that factors other than those used to delimitate land type were also important determinants of the species composition. Patterns of variation in species composition and species richness were found to differ among scales and the implications of this result are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study is to assess land-use intensity and the related biodiversity in agricultural landscapes of the EU25 for the current situation (2000), and explore future trends, based on the four EURURALIS scenarios up to 2030. Data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) were used to classify farm types in 100 regions of the EU15, according to agricultural intensity. For the ten New Member States (EU10), which are not yet considered by the FADN, country level data were used to obtain similar farm types. Three processes were considered for the assessment of future trends in agricultural land-use intensity: (1) land-use change, (2) conversion into organic farming, and (3) changes in productivity of crop and grassland production. An ecosystem quality value was attributed to each farm type according to dose-effect relationships between pressure factors and biodiversity compared to the value for an undisturbed situation. The biodiversity in agricultural landscapes was then calculated as the average ecosystem quality multiplied by the relative area size of each farm type within a region. A similar method of attributing ecosystem quality values to other land-use types allowed comparison between different land-use types. Referring to the current situation, results indicate the lowest ecosystem quality values to be found in intensively used agricultural areas in lowlands (e.g. The Netherlands and northern France) and irrigation systems (e.g. Greece), whereas relatively high values are found in Spain and the New EU Member States. Scenario results show that for the A1 scenario (Global economy), the highest loss in ecosystem quality will take place in all regions in croplands and grasslands. The B2 scenario (Regional communities) provides the best opportunities to improve ecosystem quality of agricultural landscapes. In most scenarios, agricultural land is decreasing, while the remaining agricultural areas tend to be used more intensively. The negative impact of intensification on biodiversity is partly set off by (active or spontaneous) nature development on abandoned agricultural areas, but the overall trend seems to be generally negative. The strength of this methodology is that it provides a quick overview of land-use intensity change and biodiversity trends. Through the use of this farm-type level of analysis we have provided a good picture of the differences in land-use intensity and the related biodiversity between the EU regions and the scenarios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Austria is characterised by a high variety of different landscapes ranging from high mountain areas to continental lowlands. Wilderness areas as well as traditionally maintained agricultural landscapes contribute to Austria''s biodiversity. Farming still is the main activity in rural areas, but it is now largely dependent on agro-environmental subsidies. We investigated the relationship between biodiversity and farming activities in selected Austrian agricultural landscapes. The negative effect of high land-use intensity on biodiversity on agricultural land could be confirmed. The concept of farming styles, which integrates human attitudes, farming objectives and economic success can be used to show the different ecological performances of farmers. A close link between mentality of farmers, land-use intensity and biodiversity could be established. Farmers who were highly production oriented supported the lowest nature values on their land, whereas both traditionally oriented and innovative farm businesses carried a higher potential to farm in concordance with the biodiversity of their landscape. The farming styles also differed in their dependency on subsidies. We conclude that agro-environmental subsidies, which are the main factor ensuring sustainable farming in less favoured areas in Austria, would have a far better effect if they were tailored to the individual needs of different regions and predominant farming styles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The assumed relationship between biodiversity or local richness and the persistence of ‘ecosystem services’ (that can sustain productivity on-site as well as off-site, e.g. through regulation of water flow and storage) in agricultural landscapes has generated considerable interest and a range of experimental approaches. The abstraction level aimed for, however, may be too high to yield meaningful results. Many of the experiments on which evidence in favour or otherwise are based are artificial and do not support the bold generalisations to other spatial and temporal scales that are often made. Future investigations should utilise co-evolved communities, be structured to investigate the distinct roles of clearly defined functional groups, separate the effects of between- and within-group diversity and be conducted over a range of stress and disturbance situations. An integral part of agricultural intensification at the plot level is the deliberate reduction of diversity. This does not necessarily result in impairment of ecosystem services of direct relevance to the land user unless the hypothesised diversity–function threshold is breached by elimination of a key functional group or species. Key functions may also be substituted with petro-chemical energy in order to achieve perceived efficiencies in the production of specific goods. This can result in the maintenance of ecosystem services of importance to agricultural production at levels of biodiversity below the assumed ‘functional threshold’. However, it can also result in impairment of other services and under some conditions the de-linking of the diversity–function relationship. Avoidance of these effects or attempts to restore non-essential ecosystem services are only likely to be made by land users at the plot scale if direct economic benefit can be thereby achieved. At the plot and farm scales biodiversity is unlikely to be maintained for purposes other than those of direct use or ‘utilitarian’ benefits and often at levels lower than those necessary for maintenance of many ecosystem services. The exceptions may be traditional systems where intrinsic values (social customs) continue to provide reasons for diversity maintenance. High levels of biodiversity in managed landscapes are more likely to be maintained for reasons of intrinsic, serependic (‘option’ or ‘bequest’) values or utilitarian (‘direct use’) than for functional or ecosystem service values. The major opportunity for both maintaining ecosystem services and biodiversity outside conservation areas lies in promoting diversity of land-use at the landscape and farm rather than field scale. This requires, however, an economic and policy climate that favours diversification in land uses and diversity among land users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Changed land use conditions, especially the intensification of agricultural production, have lead to a significant reduction in species diversity over the past several decades. In order to limit the impact of this reduction, indicators were developed and practical measures put forth which should serve to maintain biological diversity, but generally pay too little attention to different natural area conditions. In this light, an indicator concept for area species diversity on the basis of regional particularities has been developed which is based on a clear delineation of natural areas according to their unique landscape conditions. From the large number of species which appear in one area, a small number of key-species typical to the landscape, for which good ecological information is available, are selected as indicators. These species serve as the current status indicators for each area. With the goal of promoting regionally specific species diversity, the composition of indicators varies from area to area, according to each unique landscape. On the basis of an anticipated population change (target indicators) a comparison was made of habitat requirements and deficits in the existing habitats. In this manner, regionally targeted measures to improve habitats could be derived and implemented. So, the abundance of indicator species can be positively influenced and the regionally characteristic species diversity can thus be promoted. Such a set of indicators can serve as the basis for biodiversity management in completely agricultural landscapes and provide a picture of the total of all the single mosaic landscape units. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The theoretical concept for the use of mosaic indicators for species diversity in agricultural landscapes is illustrated on the basis of a practical example. A method to organise data on the specific regional natural conditions on the basis of an existing organisational chart of natural areas in Germany, digital results of biotope mapping and aerial views was developed for a selection of indicators (species, ecological groups) appropriate to given natural conditions on the regional scale. The use of the mosaic indicator concept was demonstrated for the example of bird species in a selected mosaic landscape characterised by a typical regional biotope structure—a special density of hedges and small bodies of water. On the basis of the indicator species, measures for the improvement of the habitat situation were derived with the goal of maintaining the landscape peculiarities and promoting specific diversity adapted on these special site conditions.The methods developed to regionalise the landscapes while taking into account spatial variations make it possible for farmers throughout Germany, no matter what natural characteristics each individual farm may have, to participate in programs to promote biological diversity and make a contribution to natural conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Research for a concept of sustainable agriculture and for the sustainable use of agricultural landscapes are closely related to the development of an international acknowledged indicator framework for the analysis and valuation of the environmental situation by the OECD. Worldwide efforts are focussing on this new topic in the environmental discussion: quantifying and valuation of impacts of agricultural practice on the animated and unanimated environment to draw conclusions for agricultural policy. A key function holds the term sustainability, which is assumed to dominate future policy approaches. The growing insecurity about the environmental impacts of agricultural land use systems led to the overall goal to avoid irreversible damages by agriculture.The development of tools for decision-makers on all decision levels are to:

Riparian corridors are valuable high diversity habitats in Mediterranean-type environments and mainly in agricultural landscapes. Following a ‘vegetation complexes’ approach along fluvial landscapes, the factors affecting structural complexity and human disturbance through agricultural areas in south-west (SW) Spain were analysed. Using principal component analysis and a stepwise multiple regression analysis three main results were obtained: (1) a successional vegetative gradient was noted from upper (pioneer herbaceous communities) to lower reaches of streams (closed-canopy forests) with a concomitant increase in both woody cover and habitat diversity; (2) land-use intensity associated with each of the agricultural production methods, which was mainly related to topographic irregularity, appeared to be the main cause of human disturbance in riparian areas. Thus, the closed-canopy forests located in flat landscapes of lower streams were removed, highly modified or extensively fragmented; in contrast, riparian complexes placed on wild and rough landscapes of upper streams appeared as undisturbed or near-natural; (3) nearly 50% of the natural riparian vegetation of the study area has been highly modified or has disappeared, in most cases replaced by non-natural formations which have today become dominant. The protection of the few existing well-preserved riparian corridors and the restoration of highly altered riparian areas in the lower reaches of streams has become a priority in maintaining biodiversity in these agricultural Mediterranean landscapes. The extensive and cost-effective method developed for this study would be easily applicable to other large areas to evaluate the effect of human disturbance on riparian corridors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Apterous aphids show varying degrees of aggregation in the field. Both alate and apterous Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) were compared in terms of degree of aggregation in relation to landscape features and farming management (conventional vs. organic). Alate R. padi were clearly aggregated, but no effect of landscape features or farming management was found on the degree of aggregation. Apterous R. padi were aggregated, and to a degree that varied according to field. Aggregation tended to be lower in landscapes with high perimeter-to-area ratios of the fields, but there was no significant difference between organically and conventionally managed fields. The fields with low aggregation had few alate, low R. padi population growth rate and therefore a low abundance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of woodlots, natural areas and agricultural land in the landscape on a generalist herbivore insect species in cropland was investigated. The abundance of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) was compared in leek (Allium porrum) fields in 43 agricultural landscape plots of different sizes in The Netherlands. The total area of woodlots, other natural and agricultural areas within a radius of 1000 and 5000 m around each field was measured using a geographic information system (GIS) framework, LGN3plus.Numbers of onion thrips were significantly lower in leek fields in agricultural landscapes with a larger total area of woodlots. The results suggest that woodlots decrease density of onion thrips and their symptoms in leek fields. Possible mechanisms are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In line with general biodiversity losses across agricultural landscapes, insect pollinators have experienced recent sharp declines. A range of conservation measures have been developed to address these declines, with plant-pollinator interaction networks providing key insights into the effectiveness of these measures. For the first time, we studied interactions between three diurnal pollinator groups (bees, hoverflies, and butterflies) and insect-pollinated plants to understand how they are affected by pond management and restoration. Major network contributors were identified, and important network-level parameters compared at nine farmland ponds under different management strategies to assess management effects on plant-pollinator interactions: three 'overgrown' tree-covered ponds, three 'long-term managed ponds' kept in an open-canopy, early- to mid-successional state by periodic interventions involving tree and sediment removal, and three 'recently restored ponds', initially heavily overgrown with woody vegetation, and subsequently rapidly transformed into an early succession state through major tree and sediment removal. Interaction complexity, as measured by the metrics 'links per species', 'linkage density', Fisher's alpha and Shannon's Diversity, was higher for both long-term managed and recently restored ponds compared to overgrown ponds. Several network-level parameters indicated that highest complexity levels were found at recently restored ponds due to their substantially higher plant diversity. Bipartite interaction analysis suggests major benefits of pond management and restoration for agricultural pollinator assemblages. We strongly advocate the inclusion of ponds in conservation strategies and policies aimed at pollinators - ponds should be part of the pollinator pantry. • Pond restoration improves plant-pollinator network complexity. • Pond management and restoration increased interactions and inter-species links. • Interactions at restored and managed ponds involved a greater number of plant species. • Pond management effectively promotes plant-pollinator network diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline of bees compromises pollination services and connectivity of plant populations, both wild and domesticated. The aim of this study was to evaluate bee diversity in natural wetland island-like habitats — called kettle holes — embedded in an agricultural landscape and its relationship with spatial parameters (kettle-hole area, isolation, neighboring land-use diversity), as well as further bee relevant and local factors (flower, vegetation, and tree cover). We sampled 36 kettle holes in an agricultural landscape north of Berlin, Germany, using color traps and identified 77 bee species, representing ca. 20% of the total diversity of the region. Our results showed that neither kettle-hole area nor density of neighboring kettle holes (isolation) alone affected bee diversity; however, the combination of both did: larger and less isolated kettle holes enhanced bee diversity. In addition, habitat quality (i.e. higher flower availability) within the kettle holes positively influenced bee diversity. These results suggested that flowering plants occurring in the kettle holes are an important foraging resource for bee species. Bee communities respond differently to the environment depending on their functional traits related to sociality. In particular eusocial bee abundance was negatively affected by land-use types at 100 and 500 m distance, as well as vegetation cover, area and isolation, suggesting that eusocial bees might depend more on the quality of the habitat within and surrounding the kettle holes than solitary bees. Surprisingly, bee body size was not associated with any environmental factor tested. Our study identified that a combination of large, high-quality kettle holes providing a high cover of insect pollinated flowers within a high density network of kettle holes, enhances bee diversity in intensively managed agricultural landscapes. • Flower availability in kettle holes enhanced wild bee diversity. • Larger and more connected kettle holes exhibited higher bee diversity. • Kettle holes are important natural habitats to maintain bee diversity. • Surrounding land-use diversity was negatively correlated with bee abundance. • Surrounding cropland types (i.e., rapeseed) did not influence bee diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Predation and parasitism of Mamestra brassicae eggs in field margins was not associated with insecticide use indicators. • Biocontrol in field margins was not significantly associated with landscape variables. • Field margins can be valuable habitats for natural enemies in agricultural landscapes, irrespective of insecticide use intensity. Insecticides are used widely to manage pests, but they may cause mortality in natural enemy populations and non-target prey. On the other hand, resources provided by the landscape – often associated with semi-natural habitat – may enhance natural enemy communities. While there is substantial information on how insecticide use and semi-natural habitats influence biocontrol in crop fields, little is known about how local insecticide use interacts with landscape variables to govern natural biocontrol in field margins. In this 2-year study we assessed predation and parasitism rates of eggs of the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) on potted cabbage plants in field margins adjacent to 20 organically managed fields and 18 conventionally managed fields We analysed egg predation and parasitism rates in field margins using three predictors for insecticide use: (i) farming system (organic or conventional), (ii) frequency of insecticide use in the adjacent focal fields, and (iii) estimated insecticide use quantity within a radius of 1 km from the sampling sites. Insecticide use included foliar or soil-applied applications, including mineral oils. Landscape variables were used as covariables to account for landscape effects. Mean predation and parasitism rates were 14 % and 6%, respectively. There were no significant associations between predation and parasitism rates in field margins with insecticide use in the adjacent field or the wider landscape. Our findings suggest that field margins can be valuable habitats for natural enemies in agricultural landscapes, irrespective of the insecticide use intensity at the local and landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bats foraging in crop interiors was positively related to bugs, moths and woody vegetation within 5 km of the crop. • Bat feeding buzzes increased with Hemiptera abundance on moonlit nights of > 75 % illumination. • Bat foraging was three times greater in mature cotton crop interiors than young cotton. • Increased cotton foliage height and density was associated with bat diversity in crop interiors. Landscape and biophysical determinants of insectivorous bat activity and community composition in space and time are central to understanding how growers can maximise bat-mediated pest control services in crops. We measured community composition, abundance, richness and foraging attempts of insectivorous bats in the centre of dryland cotton crops using acoustic sampling. We examined how bat activity was related to woody vegetation in the surrounding landscape, prey insect abundance, distance to crop edge, size of field, proximity to waterbodies and moon illumination to better understand insectivorous bat diversity and foraging in crop interiors. We collected a total of 9467 acoustic files including 1198 foraging attempts (feeding buzzes) of at least 21 insectivorous bat species. The bat assemblage in cotton crop interiors (richness and diversity) was positively related to woody vegetation foliage cover within 5–10 km of the crop, as well as Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera abundance, but was negatively related to distance from the field edge into the crop and moon illumination. Increased feeding attempts were linked to increased Lepidoptera and Hemiptera on nights of high moon illumination (> 75 %). Bat activity and foraging was also higher during nights of increased insect abundance, particularly Lepidoptera, indicating that bats track food resources. Our results highlight the importance of managing bat roosting habitat at different landscape scales to enhance bat diversity and foraging in crop interiors and thus insect consumption. Given the high bat feeding activity on nights of high moon illumination and increased Hemiptera abundance, the timing of insecticide sprays to target pests, such as Hemipteran sucking bugs, could be scheduled on nights of low moon illumination. Such information is useful in identifying conservation priorities for the management of bats in intensively farmed agroecosystems and should facilitate habitat management by growers to maximise crop pest protection services in crop interiors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grassland plant diversity is often low in agricultural landscapes. • We used co-occurrence method to estimate potentially suitable but absent species (dark diversity). • Completeness was calculated as ratio of observed and dark diversity for each site. • Dispersal and habitat availability limited grassland completeness at the regional scale. • Productivity limited completeness at the landscape scale. Although many grassland species may exist within agricultural landscapes, some are still absent from individual grassland patches. Understanding which processes limit plant biodiversity within these landscapes is important, and may be better understood if we consider local diversity relative to its species pool size (community completeness). Here we test how habitat availability, dispersal limitation, grassland age, and local environmental conditions (productivity, fine scale heterogeneity) affect the completeness of grassland plant communities at two spatial scales in an agricultural region in Southeast Estonia, Northern Europe. We additionally test how species dispersal and persistence traits (seed production, potential dispersal distance, and clonal ability) depend on the landscape and local environmental factors. We collected vascular plant data from 31 grassland patches and used species co-occurrences to estimate which species from the surrounding region were suitable, but absent for each grassland site (dark diversity). We partitioned dark diversity for each site into species that were found within the surrounding 10 ha area (landscape scale) or species found only at other visited grassland sites (regional scale), and used these estimates to calculate completeness for each site at the landscape and regional scale. Environmental data (various soil characteristics, light availability, plant biomass) was collected to characterize productivity and fine scale heterogeneity of the sites. We found that community completeness was limited by seed production ability, dispersal distances, and grassland availability at the regional scale, whereas local environmental conditions (productivity) limited completeness at the landscape scale. Species dispersing long distances were more often present in areas historically bordered by more grasslands, whereas potential dispersal limitation was reduced in older grasslands with heterogeneous and sparse vegetation. We conclude that dispersal limitation, habitat availability, and local environmental conditions all determine completeness of grassland patches; however, their relative importance is scale dependent. Nevertheless, the presence of good dispersers in isolated grasslands is likely a disappearing legacy of historical landscapes. To support high taxonomic and functional diversity in agricultural landscapes, it is therefore crucial to increase the area and connectivity of grassland patches and maintain their moderate management by mowing or grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Intensive agricultural landscapes are often considered suboptimal for carnivores. • We tested how human-made habitats affected badgers in Mediterranean farmland. • Tree plantations and hedgerows favoured badgers, while roads had negative effect. • Carnivore conservation in farmland requires due attention to these habitats. There is increasing interest in understanding how to retain wildlife in agricultural landscapes, thereby contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts. Here we investigate the drivers of European badger (Meles meles) occurrence in Mediterranean farmland. The badger is a generalist mammalian carnivore usually associated to native woodland and shrubland, so we hypothesised that its occurrence in Mediterranean farmland should be favoured by substitute habitats such as forestry plantations, and negatively affected by areas more heavily used by humans such as paved roads. The study was conducted in SW Portugal, where we surveyed for badgers presence signs (latrines, footprints, setts) along transects located at 60 3.14-km2 circles scattered through the landscape, each of which surveyed in spring (March-May), summer (July-August) and autumn (September-October). Occupancy-detection models were used to quantify the effect of environmental variables on badger occupancy probability, while controlling for imperfect detection. Badger detection probability was positively affected by the density of dirt roads, possibly reflecting a preference of badgers to mark along those structures. According to predictions, badger occupancy significantly increased with the amount of forestry plantations and arboreal hedgerows, while decreasing with increasing paved road density. Taken together, our results indicate that badger conservation in Mediterranean farmland under agricultural intensification should require the protection of areas with low paved road density, and the retention of wood cover, even where these are highly-modified habitats such as forest plantations and arboreal hedgerows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]