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Management linked to ecological intensification supports insect pollinators in Iberian wood-pastures

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Abstract

Context

Iberian wood-pastures (dehesas) constitute important habitats for flower-visiting insects, thus supporting the delivery of essential ecosystem services. However, dehesas have been experiencing increasing degradation either by farming intensification or abandonment.

Objectives

We assess if alternative management strategies linked to ecological intensification, designed to maximize productivity in Iberian dehesas, are also favorable for biodiversity, specifically pollinators.

Methods

We carried surveys in nine dehesas located across western and southwestern Spain. Each site comprised five paddocks under different management: conventional grazing, alternative systems linked to ecological intensification (rotational grazing, legume-enriched young and old pastures) and abandonment. We surveyed bees and hoverflies along fixed transects, together with flower cover and botanical composition, and we assessed landscape configuration.

Results

Results showed that rotational grazing, legume-enriched and abandonment enhanced pollinator abundance compared to conventional management. Yet, ecological intensification practices were the most beneficial, showing a positive impact also on pollinator richness. Flower cover, together with plant diversity and landscape composition, were important drivers of pollinator diversity metrics. These patterns varied among pollinator groups, e.g., hoverflies were less impacted by management than bees, while being more affected by plant diversity.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that alternative management linked to ecological intensification has potential in low-input farming systems such as Iberian dehesas. These measures can help to maximize productivity, whilst preserving biodiversity and essential ecosystem services such as pollination. Complementary measures, such as the preservation or restoration of semi-natural habitats, also appear to be crucial for effectively safeguarding pollinating insects in this High Nature Value farming system.

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Acknowledgements

A. P. was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship (PO17006) funded by the regional government of Extremadura in Spain and cofounded through the European Social Fund (ESF) of the European Union. V. R. was supported by the regional government of Extremadura (Spain) through a “Talento” fellowship (TA18022). This research acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project ADAPT-TGA; PID2019-108313RB-C31/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).

Funding

Funding was provided by European Social Fund (PO17006), Junta de Extremadura (PO17006, TA18022), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2019-108313RB-C31/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INDEHESA Research Institute ‐ University of Extremadura, 10600, Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain

    Adara Pardo, Víctor Rolo, Alejandro Carrascosa, Guillermo Gonzalez-Bornay & Gerardo Moreno

  2. cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Universidade Dos Açores, 9700042, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal

    Adara Pardo

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  1. Adara Pardo
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Contributions

AP, VR and GM contributed to the study conception and design. AP, VR, AC and GM carried out the data collection. AP and GG-B performed the taxonomic identification. AP analysed the data and wrote a first draft of the manuscript text. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Adara Pardo.

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Pardo, A., Rolo, V., Carrascosa, A. et al. Management linked to ecological intensification supports insect pollinators in Iberian wood-pastures. Landsc Ecol 38, 3389–3403 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-023-01637-7

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