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Farm4bio farm-scale management of uncropped land for biodiversity

Although the intensity of arable land use will vary with commodity prices, it is important to continue to support farmland biodiversity. All arable farms have areas that are inconvenient to cultivate but, if managed appropriately, they could provide refuges for biodiversity.

Project Aim: To determine whether simple cost effective management practices for uncropped land can deliver significant and measurable increases in biodiversity on mainstream arable farms.

Results update 2009

At this stage our research shows that substantial value can be added to a farm's biodiversity by sowing additional uncropped areas with flower and seed mixtures to benefit wildlife.

Click to see the beneficial effects on wildlife including butterflies and bees. 

Trial sites

This is a large and unique project studying the ecology and biodiversity across 100ha (250 acres) on each of the 28 farms in the project.

Click for more information on trial sites and locations. 
 

Habitats and establishment

Floristically enhanced grass mix

Wildbird cover

Annual cultivation to encourage annual arable plants

Insect rich cover (triticale and vetch) 


Click for more information on the different habitats and the wildlife they support 

Partners and Funding

HGCA Funding  £157,367HGCA logo
Total cost  £1,080,137
Start date 01 August 2005
End date 28 February 2010
Lead Scientist John Holland, GWCT

 
Click on logos for partners websites

Publications and Related Links

 

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