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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Encouraging insects back into arable land | Encouraging insects back into arable land |
| (3 months later) | |
| Letters | |
| Fri 20 Oct 2017 18.35 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.07 GMT | |
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| It is with great interest that we read about the long-term decline in the biomass of flying insects on German protected areas (Scientists tell of alarm at huge fall in flying insects, 19 October). | It is with great interest that we read about the long-term decline in the biomass of flying insects on German protected areas (Scientists tell of alarm at huge fall in flying insects, 19 October). |
| The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) carries out two long-term surveys of insects on farmland in England – the Sussex Study (1970 to present) and at our demonstration farm in Loddington (1992 to present). | The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) carries out two long-term surveys of insects on farmland in England – the Sussex Study (1970 to present) and at our demonstration farm in Loddington (1992 to present). |
| In the Sussex Study, which is one of the first Farmer Clusters in the country, over 100 cereal fields are sampled every year, which has revealed declines of 35% overall in the total number of invertebrates compared with the 87% decline in the biomass of flying insects found by Hallmann et al, with most of the decline in Sussex happening in the 1970s. | In the Sussex Study, which is one of the first Farmer Clusters in the country, over 100 cereal fields are sampled every year, which has revealed declines of 35% overall in the total number of invertebrates compared with the 87% decline in the biomass of flying insects found by Hallmann et al, with most of the decline in Sussex happening in the 1970s. |
| However, for insects that are chick-food for declining farmland birds, we found declines of up to 72% from 1970 to 2015, with 45% of invertebrate groups declining significantly. | However, for insects that are chick-food for declining farmland birds, we found declines of up to 72% from 1970 to 2015, with 45% of invertebrate groups declining significantly. |
| Analysis on a field-by-field basis indicates that it is insecticide use that is responsible for lower insect numbers, especially those that provide food resources for declining farmland birds. | Analysis on a field-by-field basis indicates that it is insecticide use that is responsible for lower insect numbers, especially those that provide food resources for declining farmland birds. |
| However, in Sussex, which reflects the case in the UK, GWCT scientists have found that insecticide use has stabilised over the past two decades, with an associated stabilisation of some insect groups. | However, in Sussex, which reflects the case in the UK, GWCT scientists have found that insecticide use has stabilised over the past two decades, with an associated stabilisation of some insect groups. |
| The GWCT, working with farmers, has developed agri-environmental measures, now available through the current Countryside Stewardship scheme, such as conservation headlands (low-input cereal headlands) and wildbird seed mix. Our research has shown that these can have a positive effect on both arable flora and invertebrate resources in arable land. It is important that governmental support for agri-environment continues post-Brexit. | The GWCT, working with farmers, has developed agri-environmental measures, now available through the current Countryside Stewardship scheme, such as conservation headlands (low-input cereal headlands) and wildbird seed mix. Our research has shown that these can have a positive effect on both arable flora and invertebrate resources in arable land. It is important that governmental support for agri-environment continues post-Brexit. |
| For more information, visit www.gwct.org.uk/research/long-term-monitoring/sussex-study/ Dr Julie Ewald Head of geographical information systemsProf John Holland Head of farmland ecologyGame & Wildlife Conservation Trust | For more information, visit www.gwct.org.uk/research/long-term-monitoring/sussex-study/ Dr Julie Ewald Head of geographical information systemsProf John Holland Head of farmland ecologyGame & Wildlife Conservation Trust |
| • Our penchant for manicuring and trimming every area of grass, along with the wonderful array of machinery available, is surely a major factor in this decline. I believe that in Sweden it is illegal to cut verges – apart from where safety issues demand it – until October, resulting in a much improved biological diversity.Judith WrightDarwen, Lancashire | • Our penchant for manicuring and trimming every area of grass, along with the wonderful array of machinery available, is surely a major factor in this decline. I believe that in Sweden it is illegal to cut verges – apart from where safety issues demand it – until October, resulting in a much improved biological diversity.Judith WrightDarwen, Lancashire |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
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