Butterflies and bumblebees in greenways and sown wildflower strips in southern Sweden

Abstract

Greenways have recently been established in some intensively farmed areas of South Sweden in order to enhance recreation opportunities and biodiversity, but the effects of these green structures on biodiversity have not yet been determined. In this study, greenways and experimental sown wildflower strips were investigated for butterfly and bumblebee diversity. In total, 1,769 butterflies of 18 species and 1,216 foraging bumblebees of eight species were recorded. Sown wildflower strips proved to support much higher abundances and species numbers of butterflies and bumblebees than greenways, with 86% of all butterflies and 83% of all bumblebees being observed in the sown flower strips. However, in both types of green structure mostly common species were found. Counts of flower visits showed that Knautia, Centaurea and Cirsium were the most commonly visited plant species. The greenways studied did not seem to fulfil their function of enhancing biodiversity-at least not for butterflies and bumblebees. However, these greenways could easily be improved for common bumblebee and butterfly species by sowing wildflower strips along their margins.

Keywords

Agri-environmental schemes; Enhancing biodiversity; Intensive agriculture; Green structure; Peri-urban

Published in

Journal of Insect Conservation
2010, volume: 14, number: 2, pages: 125-132
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Haaland, Christine

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gyllin, Mats

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-009-9232-3

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60471