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Cultivation of legumes and catch crop mixtures as ecological focus areas within the greening of the CAP: Literature review on the effects on biodiversity in agricultural landscapes
Project
Project code: TI-BD-08-PID1678
Contract period: 01.02.2015
- 31.01.2018
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
The EU seeks to counteract the ongoing loss of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes through the greening measures of the CAP. Legumes and many catch crop mixtures have been acknowledged as ecological focus areas. By means of both, legumes and catch crop mixtures, it is intended to promote the spatial and temporal diversification of the agricultural landscape and increase potential habitats to promote biodiversity. Here, we conduct a literature review with the goal of determining whether these expectations hold true. Moreover, we aim to investigate the relative importance of factors such as fertilizers, crop protection and harvest dates for biodiversity within the cultivation of catch crops and legumes. While the positive influence of catch crops and legumes on biodiversity is often highlighted, the scientific evidence base on this issue is rather weak. In this project we therfore analyse the existing knowledge by conducting a systematic literature review and meta-analysis in order to investigate whether and how biodiversity is affected by cover crops and legumes, respectively. We also focus in detail on the relative importance of other factors such as fertilizers, crop protection measures and harvesting dates. Ultimately, we aim to provide clear statements and recommendations regarding the impact of different compositions, spatial and temporal distributions and various management strategies of legumes and intercropping in terms of the future shape of the CAP. Starting point is the identification of relevant literature, using various international literature databases that focuses on studies with empirical data concerning the response of various organisms or oganism groups to legume and catch crop cultivation. The obtained studies are evaluated by means of comprehensive systematic reviews on the different issues and, if possible, by using meta-analyses. In parallel, experts are identified and contacted to get further information on unpublished data, ongoing projects and potential collaboration partners.
Section overview
Subjects
- Wildlife Biology
- Agroecology
- Genetic Resources