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 rotation with integration of renewable resources
- Integration of perennial renewable resource-crops with positive effects on soil resting time and reduced use of pesticides
- Mulch-tilling and reduced soil tillage (reproduction of insects, litter degradation)
- Innovative agricultural and horticultural techniques aiming for less intensive tillage
- Integration of renewable resources as nectar and pollen sources
- Integration of renewable resource intercrops for insect facilitation
- Planting of ground-cover crops in broad rowed cultures (e.g. maize) for insect facilitation
- Integration of structural elements into the landscape (e.g. strips of trees of agroforestry systems used for energy production)
- Organic fertilization, especially fermentation residue, adapted to current needs
Integrated pest management (IPM)
- Favoring of varieties that are resistant against economically important pest organisms
- Consideration of culture-specific guidelines for implementation of IPM
- Facilitation of natural enemies
- Prognosis of occurrence and surveillance of pest organisms with suitable methods and detectors
- Using pest management measures on the basis of damage thresholds and decision aids
- Preferring sustainable pest management measures that are biological, physical, or otherwise non-chemical over chemical measures
- Usage of pesticides that are not harmful to natural enemies of pests organisms
- Implementation of strategies for avoidance of resistance development
- Performance evaluation of pest management measures e.g. by surveying infestation levels
Facilitation of insects and assessment of their synergies and trade-offs
- Compensation by additional habitat structures, refuge spaces, alternating hosts, nesting structures which serve as habitats for reproduction, food, and overwintering for insects and other organism groups (e.g. by promotion and targeted improvement of hedgerows, tree lines, and hems within agricultural landscapes or by creation of flowering strips that promote natural enemies and connect habitats)
- Creation of a continuous supply of nectar and pollen resources along with areas for biomass production
- Formation of species- and flowering-rich agricultural areas and grasslands