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Abstract: This study tested whether agri-environment scheme (AES) management for corncrakes in the UK is associated with higher diversity or abundance of non-target flora and fauna relative to similar land outside AES management. The species richness and abundance of forbs, butterflies, bumblebees and foliar arthropods were compared on 101 paired control-treatment plots across the two AES measures for corncrakes: provision of tall vegetation throughout the breeding season (Early and Late Cover; ELC) and delayed mowing (DM) of hay or silage fields. There were significant positive effects of AES management for the species richness of forbs, and abundance of late-season flowers, butterflies, bumblebees and the majority of foliar arthropod groups on one or both AES measures. Significant negative effects of AES were found in only two cases: forb species richness (ELC only) and the abundance of springtails (DM only). For the remaining species and groups studied there was either no effect of AES or no clear difference due to strong AES×season interactions. The magnitude of the AES effects varied substantially both between taxonomic groups and the two measures for corncrake. Most of the positive effects were for common and widespread species, except for two rare bumblebees. The benefits resulted from the reduction in farmland management intensity associated with AES. While not beneficial to all taxonomic groups these results demonstrate that, in the case of corncrakes in the UK at least, well-designed AES measures targeted at a specific species do yield wider biodiversity benefits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two-hectare unsown, tilled fallow plots put in place under agri-environment schemes for stone curlews Burhinus oedicnemus in England were surveyed for other bird species, brown hares Lepus europaeus, carabid beetles, vascular plants, butterflies and bumblebees. The results were compared with those from surveys within the crop in the same field and in neighbouring fields. This was done to test whether agri-environment management targeted at a single species also provided benefits to wider biodiversity. All groups except carabid beetles were more abundant, more likely to be recorded, or more species rich on plots than within the crop. Carabid beetle activity–density and species richness did not differ between the plot and the crop; activity–density of one functional group (predators) was lower on plots than in the crop. Six rare arable plant species were recorded, predominantly from plots, and the plots are considered to perform comparably to other agri-environment options available in England designed specifically for arable plants. One red-listed bird species of conservation concern (skylark Alauda arvensis) was more abundant on plots than in the crop, and three other red-listed species (linnet Carduelis cannabina, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, corn bunting E. calandra) were more likely to be recorded on plots than in the crop. A fifth (lapwing Vanellus vanellus) was almost exclusively recorded from plots, and was more likely to be recorded on plots categorised as in good condition for stone curlews. These results demonstrate that fallow plots that have been put in place for the recovery of stone curlews have considerable value for a range of other farmland biodiversity, although management for stone curlews may be detrimental to some taxa, such as carabid beetles, that are sensitive to the relatively frequent spring tillage that these plots receive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]