A glimpse into biodiversity in the agricultural area
The Flemish countryside is home to a great deal of biodiversity. Fields, grasslands, ditches, wooded edges, orchards and other landscape features together form the habitat for numerous plants and animals. Until recently, however, there was no integrated monitoring network to systematically track the status and trends of that biodiversity.
The Monitoring Network Biodiversity in Agricultural Areas (MBAG) lays the foundations for collecting the data needed to monitor the status and trends of biodiversity in agricultural areas. This information is also vital for meeting European reporting obligations, for example under the Nature Restoration Regulation and the Common Agricultural Policy. By combining various sub-monitoring networks, we can answer several questions at once. This saves time and money.
- For two years, INBO, in close collaboration with numerous volunteers, monitored farmland birds and mammals. We found most bird species in semi-open landscapes. However, the typical farmland birds, such as the western yellow wagtail, skylark and lapwing, were mainly observed in open landscapes. It is precisely here that significant opportunities lie to reverse the decline of these species.
- For pollinators, particularly wild bees, hoverflies and butterflies, we compared different monitoring methods. We then tested these within a section of the bird monitoring network in the Leemstreek as part of a European collaboration.
- The monitoring of aquatic invertebrates in watercourses complemented the water quality measurements carried out by the Flemish Environment Agency. In doing so, we demonstrated how a targeted selection of monitoring points can yield a great deal of relevant information.
- For monitoring the less visible soil life, we linked up with the Flemish soil carbon monitoring network. To this end, we utilised and refined genetic techniques. We found that soil biodiversity decreased and harmful fungi increased as land was cultivated more intensively.
- By updating the Biological Valuation Map, we mapped valuable landscape features and rare arable flora. At the same time, we improved the mapping based on aerial photographs. We found rare arable flora mainly on fields with long-term management agreements and a long history of arable use.
Biodiversity in agricultural areas is inextricably linked to the people who manage the landscape. Farmers are therefore key partners in mapping and enhancing nature in rural areas.
For example, together with farmers and volunteers, we used nest cameras to study the breeding success of skylarks, corn buntings and yellowhammers. Thanks to the ingenuity of one farmer, we also succeeded in increasing the breeding success of lapwings.
Myriam Dumortier, Peter Van Gossum
Image above: Bird count on the Kemmelberg (Photo: Joachim Pintens)