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Catalogues of measures

Catalogues of measures have proven to be useful for farmers in regards to acceptance and implementation. They offer FInAL-actors some freedom of choice and allow best possible integration of measures in different business concepts. Starting point for the selection of measures to incorporate in catalogues are needs of target organisms (here: insects) concerning their habitat (food, reproduction, protection of predators) and is crucial for securing ecological effectiveness of measures. Catalogues of measures for facilitation of insects underpin regional substantiated guiding principles and aim to identify specific potentials for promoting insects in specific agricultural landscapes as well as to realize guiding principles by implementation of chosen measures.

FInAL’s course of action is therefore insect-group- and landscape-specific. Scientifically derived blueprints for regional catalogues of measures are further developed participatory with stakeholders and are financed regionally.

Catalogues of measures in FInAL encompass the following:

Integrated plant cultivation

  • Extended crop rotations with integration of renewable resources and flowering crops
  • Integration of perennial renewable resources with positive effects on soil dormancy and reduced use of pesticides
  • Mulch sowing and reduced tillage (reproduction of insects, litter decomposition)
  • Integration of renewable resources as nectar and pollen sources
  • Integration of renewable resources as catch crops to promote insects
  • Enhancement of nectar resources through mixed cultivation with flowering crops
  • Increasing structural diversity through strip cropping with flowering crops
  • Planting undersown crops in wide-row crops (including maize to encourage insects)
  • Situational and needs-based organic fertilization, especially digestate

Integrated pest management (IPM)

  • Preference for varieties with resistance to economically important pests
  • Consideration of crop-specific guidelines for the implementation of integrated pest management
  • Application of reduced sowing rates with adapted sowing dates
  • Promotion of beneficial organisms
  • Forecasting the occurrence and monitoring of pests using suitable methods and instruments
  • Deciding on plant protection measures on the basis of economic thresholds and decision aid systems
  • Prioritizing sustainable biological, physical and other non-chemical methods over controlling pests with chemical methods
  • Use of plant protection products that are gentle on beneficial organisms
  • Adherence to the necessary extent in the use of plant protection products
  • Implementation of resistance avoidance strategies
  • Monitoring the success of plant protection measures, e.g. by monitoring infestations

Facilitation of insects and assessment of their synergies and trade-offs

  • Compensation through additional habitat structures, refugial areas, alternative hosts and nesting structures that serve as reproduction, feeding and overwintering habitats for insects and other groups of organisms (e.g. through the promotion and targeted enhancement of hedges and fringe structures in the agricultural landscape and the creation of flower strips and biotope networks that promote beneficial insects)
  • Creation of a continuous supply of nectar and pollen resources in combination with biomass production areas
  • Establishment of species- and flower-rich arable land and grassland through adapted management
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