Enhancing biodiversity in existing grass buffer strips

摘要

Many grass buffer strips under UK agri-environment schemes have not realised their full biodiversity potential due to a lack of sown wildflower component. Previous studies have demonstrated benefits for bumblebees, in newly established buffer strips,when the sown wildflower abundance is increased using graminicides. This research aimed to identify management practices to enhance the biodiversity value of existing grass-only buffer strips on four farms in Southern England. An initial scarification treatment to create germination niches was applied in combination with a wildflower seed mix. The effectiveness of a graminicide (fluazifop-P-butyl) for controlling the competitive dominance of grasses was also investigated by exploring the timing and concentration of application. Responses of wildflowers and bumblebees were monitored for two years after establishment. Preliminary results indicate that the combination of scarification, sowing and graminicide resulted in the greatest establishment of sownwildflowers, and the highest abundance of bumblebees.