The impact of grassy field margins on macro-invertebrate abundance in adjacent arable fields

Grassy field margins are thought to be an important feature for a variety of species in arable landscapes. However, not many studies address the impact of such margins in arable landscapes on the abundance of macro-invertebrates in arable fields. We estimated the abundance of earthworms, gastropods and carabids in fields with and without a grassy margin. Additionally, fields were sampled along the edge and further in the field.From our findings we can conclude that the presence of grassy field margins in arable landscapes increases the abundance of carabids and earthworms but decreases the abundance of gastropods. These effects were mainly noticeable on the edge of the field, but appear to be occurring further in the field as well.

Research highlights▶ Presence of grassy margins in arable fields increases macro-invertebrate abundance. ▶ Abundance of carabids and earthworms increases, abundance of gastropods decreases. ▶ Effects were mainly noticeable on the edge, but may also occur further in the field.