The trade-off between agriculture and biodiversity in marginal areas: Can crofting and bumblebee conservation be reconciled?

► Changes in croft management have led to decline in nationally-rare bumblebee species. ► We show how economic models of land-use can be linked to bumblebee abundance. ► We estimate the effects of two alternative agri-environment schemes on bee abundance and croft incomes. ► We show how improvements in bee numbers do not necessarily come at the cost of decreases in farm income.