Ecological cross compliance promotes farmland biodiversity in Switzerland

Published source details Aviron S., Nitsch H. & Jeanneret P. (2009) Ecological cross compliance promotes farmland biodiversity in Switzerland. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 7, 247-252.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once) Action Link
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives) Action Link
	Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once) Action Link
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link

Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

A replicated, controlled study in 1998–2004 in two grassland and mixed farmland regions in central Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2009) found that low-input grasslands contained similar numbers of butterfly species to conventionally managed grasslands. The estimated number of butterfly species on low-input grasslands (36 species) was similar to on conventional grasslands (34 species). The study sampled 315 low-input grasslands managed as “Ecological Compensation Areas” and 216 conventionally managed grasslands. From 1998–2004, butterflies were surveyed every two years between May and September, using five 10-minute observation periods across 0.25 ha/field.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland Synopsis)
Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A replicated, controlled study in 1998–2004 in an arable farmland region in central Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2009) found that wildflower strips contained similar numbers of butterfly species to crop fields. The estimated number of butterfly species on wildflower strips (19 species) was the same as on conventional crop fields (19 species). The study sampled 78 wildflower strips (sown with 20–40 plant species) and 72 crop fields. From 1998–2004, butterflies were surveyed every two years between May and September, using five 10-minute observation periods across 0.25 ha/field.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

A replicated, controlled study in 1998–2004 in three grassland and arable farmland regions in central Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2009) found that wildflower strips and low-input grasslands which farmers were paid to create or manage for wildlife contained similar numbers of butterfly species to conventional crop fields and conventionally managed grassland. The estimated number of butterfly species on wildflower strips (19 species) was the same as on conventional crop fields (19 species). The estimated number of species was also similar between low-input (36 species) and conventional (34 species) grassland. The study sampled 78 wildflower strips (sown with 20–40 plant species) and 72 crop fields, and 315 low-input grasslands managed as “Ecological Compensation Areas” and 216 conventionally managed grasslands. From 1998–2004, butterflies were surveyed every two years between May and September, using five 10-minute observation periods across 0.25 ha/field.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

A site comparison study between 1997 and 2004 in two regions of central Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2009) found that Ecological Compensation Area meadows contained significantly more species of plant, butterfly (Lepidoptera) and ground beetle (Carabidae) than conventionally managed meadows, but not more species of spider (Araneae). Estimated total numbers of species were 118 plant, 36 butterfly (Lepidoptera), 98 ground beetle (Carabidae) and 156 spider on Ecological Compensation Area meadows and 83, 34, 88 and 124 on conventional meadows respectively. The study sampled 315 Ecological Compensation Area meadows and 216 conventionally managed grasslands between 1997 and 2004. Rare or threatened species were not found more frequently on Ecological Compensation Area sites. The increased number of species was a response of common species.
Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A site comparison study between 1997 and 2004 in central Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2009) found wildflower strips sown with 20-40 species contained significantly more (8-60% more) plant, butterfly (Lepidoptera), ground beetle (Carabidae) and spider (Araneae) species than crop fields in the same region. Estimated total numbers of species were 149 (plant), 19 (butterfly), 85 (ground beetle) and 134 (spider) on Ecological Compensation Area wildflower strips and 50, 19, 78 and 104 species on conventional crop fields respectively. Rare or threatened species were not found more frequently on Ecological Compensation Area sites. The increased number of species was a response of common species. The study sampled 78 wildflower strips and 72 crop fields in a predominantly arable region.