Actions for Enhancing Farmland Biodiversity
Enhancing farmland biodiversity is more important than ever. Across Europe, many farms grow just one or two crops over and over again. This may make farming easier or more profitable in the short term, but it often leads to uniform landscapes where local plants, insects, birds, and helpful soil life are disappearing.
This loss of biodiversity doesn’t just affect nature, it also makes farms more vulnerable, and biodiversity is essential for ensuring functioning agricultural ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems keep soil rich, help control pests, and make crops more resilient to weather and disease.
By implementing biodiversity-friendly practices, you can support biodiversity and build a stronger, more resilient farm.
Here are some practical steps to help you get started.
Let native wildflowers grow around your farm
One of the most effective ways of enhancing farmland biodiversity is to allow wildflowers to grow on the farm. The more native wildflowers that are on a farm, the higher the biodiversity. Farmland wildflowers can be found in the farmyard, the garden, the field edges and in the fields.
Here are five biodiversity-friendly practices that can help to encourage native wildflowers on the farm:
- Reduce management of areas where crops are not grown. These “non-farmed” areas include farmyards, laneways, field margins, arable margins, watercourse edges, and field corners
- Allow for longer time spans between mowing and/or grazing
- Reduce fertiliser use
- Move livestock periodically to allow vegetation recovery
- Delay the first cut
By allowing wildflowers to grow naturally on the farm, you create food that supports pollinators throughout the year without reducing farm production. You can increase the number of wildflowers by allowing plants to flower and set seed for the next season, which creates food for birds.
With 7 million cattle to feed daily on this island, providing space for wildflowers or bees or wildlife will always be a challenge, but what a great legacy to leave our children if we can pull it off! Agricultural Advisor, Ireland.
Minimise pesticide use
Pesticides include fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. It may not be possible to avoid pesticides completely, but using them carefully and only where necessary can help protect biodiversity. Smart pesticide application strategies, such as integrated pest and pollinator management, are important for farming systems to minimise harm to beneficial insects and pollinators.
Provide nesting sites for pollinators
In addition to food, pollinators like bees and other insects need safe places to nest. Different species have different nesting needs; some nest on the ground, while others use dead wood, hollow stems, or dry stone walls.
For example, around 70% of native bees nest in the ground. Creating nesting space for them is simple: all you need is a shovel and a sunny, south-facing bank with bare, undisturbed soil.
Providing a range of natural nesting habitats supports healthy pollinator populations, which are essential for crop production and farmland biodiversity.
Plant Native Trees and Allow Woodland Regeneration
Trees and woodlands provide essential habitats for many wildlife species, improve soil health, and help regulate water cycles on your farm. Dedicate areas for native woodlands and groves, using them to connect existing habitats and create wildlife corridors.
Planting native trees and allowing natural woodland regeneration improves biodiversity and offers safe pathways for animals across the landscape. Additionally, planting orchards with apples, pears, and plums benefits both humans and wildlife by providing nutritious food sources. Woodlands help to combat climate change, while also providing shade and shelter for livestock.
Support Healthy Hedgerows
Hedgerows do more than mark field boundaries. Birds, bees, insects, and small mammals rely on them for food, shelter, and safe movement across the farm. They also help reduce wind damage, soak up excess water, and support natural pest control by providing a home for beneficial insects.
To get the most out of your hedgerows, avoid cutting them every year. Trimming every two or three years gives them a chance to flower and fruit, providing important food for wildlife. Avoid cutting during the nesting season, and leave the base undisturbed, as many insects overwinter there.
You can also boost biodiversity by planting new hedgerows or filling in gaps with native species. When managed well, hedgerows can deliver real benefits for your farm’s resilience, productivity, and wildlife.
How the FarmBioNet Project Can Help in Implementing Biodiversity-Friendly Practices
FarmBioNet is a Horizon Europe project focused on promoting biodiversity-friendly farming practices across Europe. The project brings together farmers, foresters, researchers, advisors, NGOs, and other key actors within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) to bridge the gap between science and practice.
At its core, FarmBioNet is building national Farming and Biodiversity Networks (FaB NNs) in 12 European countries. These networks serve as hubs for knowledge exchange, training, and collaboration. Through workshops, on-farm visits, and practical tools, FarmBioNet supports the adoption and expansion of biodiversity-friendly practices on the ground.
Farmers and foresters are invited to join their national network, share their experiences, raise concerns, and be part of the collective effort to improve biodiversity across Europe.
Conclusion
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