Rawcliffe Bridge, arable production and biodiversity, hand in hand

摘要

As part of BASF Agricultural Products Divisions commitment to the UKVoluntary Initiative it has instigated a biodiversity action plan (BAPs) project on aconventional arable farm in East Yorkshire. Over three years, a total of 88 birdspecies have been recorded, with over 48 of these being either red or amber on theConservation Concern list. Following the introduction of a further 52 bird boxesbetween 2003 and 2005, occupancy rates of over 70% were achieved. In addition tothe bird surveys described in this paper, 154 wild plant species were identified and64 insects species (11 butterfly spp., 45 moth spp. and 8 dragonfly spp.). Theproject demonstrates that conventional arable production can co-exist hand in handwith activities that both conserve and enhance biodiversity.