Farmland biodiversity and agricultural management on 237 farms in 13 European and two African regions
Authors: Lüscher Gisela , Ammari Youssef , Andriets Aljona , Angelova Siyka , Arndorfer Michaela , Bailey Debra , Balázs Katalin , Bogers Marion , Bunce Robert G. H. , Choisis Jean‐Philippe , Dennis Peter , Díaz Mario , Dyman Tetyana , Eiter Sebastian , Fjellstad Wendy , Fraser Mariecia , Friedel Jürgen K. , Garchi Salah , Geijzendorffer Ilse R. , Gomiero Tiziano , González‐Bornay Guillermo , Guteva Yana , Herzog Felix , Jeanneret Philippe , Jongman Rob H. G. , Kainz Max , Kwikiriza Norman , López Díaz María Lourdes , Moreno Gerardo , Nicholas‐Davies Pip , Nkwiine Charles , Opio Julius , Paoletti Maurizio G. , Podmaniczky László , Pointereau Philippe , Pulido Fernando , Sarthou Jean‐Pierre , Schneider Manuel K. , Sghaier Tahar , Siebrecht Norman , Stoyanova Siyka , Wolfrum Sebastian , Yashchenko Sergiy , Albrecht Harald , Báldi András , Belényesi Márta , Benhadi‐Marin Jacinto , Blick Theo , Buholzer Serge , Centeri Csaba , Choisis Norma , Cuendet Gérard , De Lange Hendrika J. , Déjean Sylvain , Deltshev Christo , Díaz Cosín Darío J. , Dramstad Wenche , Elek Zoltán , Engan Gunnar , Evtushenko Konstantin , Falusi Eszter , Finch Oliver‐D. , Frank Thomas , Gavinelli Federico , Genoud David , Gillingham Phillipa K. , Grónás Viktor , Gutiérrez Mónica , Häusler Werner , Heer Xaver , Hübner Thomas , Isaia Marco , Jerkovich Gergely , Jesus Juan B. , Kakudidi Esezah , Kelemen Eszter , Koncz Nóra , Kovacs Eszter , Kovács‐Hostyánszki Anikó , Last Luisa , Ljubomirov Toshko , Mandery Klaus , Mayr Josef , Mjelde Atle , Muster Christoph , Nascimbene Juri , Neumayer Johann , Ødegaard Frode , Ortiz Sánchez Francisco Javier , Oschatz Marie‐Louise , Papaja‐Hülsbergen Susanne , Paschetta Mauro , Pavett Mark , Pelosi Céline , Penksza Károly , Pommeresche Reidun , Popov Victor , Radchenko Volodymyr , Richner Nina , Riedel Susanne , Scullion John , Sommaggio Daniele , Szalkovszki Ottó , Szerencsits Erich , Trigo Dolores , Vale Jim , van Kats Ruud , Vasilev Angel , Whittington Andrew E. , Wilkes‐Allemann Jerylee , Zanetti Tommaso 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFarmland is a major land cover type in Europe and Africa and provides habitat for numerous species. The severe decline in farmland biodiversity of the last decades has been attributed to changes in farming practices, and organic and low‐input farming are assumed to mitigate detrimental effects of agricultural intensification on biodiversity. Since the farm enterprise is the primary unit of agricultural decision making, management‐related effects at the field scale need to be assessed at the farm level. Therefore, in this study, data were collected on habitat characteristics, vascular plant, earthworm, spider, and bee communities and on the corresponding agricultural management in 237 farms in 13 European and two African regions. In 15 environmental and agricultural homogeneous regions, 6–20 farms with the same farm type (e.g., arable crops, grassland, or specific permanent crops) were selected. If available, an equal number of organic and non‐organic farms were randomly selected. Alternatively, farms were sampled along a gradient of management intensity. For all selected farms, the entire farmed area was mapped, which resulted in total in the mapping of 11 338 units attributed to 194 standardized habitat types, provided together with additional descriptors. On each farm, one site per available habitat type was randomly selected for species diversity investigations. Species were sampled on 2115 sites and identified to the species level by expert taxonomists. Species lists and abundance estimates are provided for each site and sampling date (one date for plants and earthworms, three dates for spiders and bees). In addition, farmers provided information about their management practices in face‐to‐face interviews following a standardized questionnaire. Farm management indicators for each farm are available (e.g., nitrogen input, pesticide applications, or energy input). Analyses revealed a positive effect of unproductive areas and a negative effect of intensive management on biodiversity. Communities of the four taxonomic groups strongly differed in their response to habitat characteristics, agricultural management, and regional circumstances. The data has potential for further insights into interactions of farmland biodiversity and agricultural management at site, farm, and regional scale.