Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Optimizing buffer strips for improved ecosystem services

Project ID: E2009-09

Abstract

The project objective is to enhance delivery of insect-derived ecosystem services provided by perennial buffers through a strategy of combining research and outreach.

Key Question: Are the current buffer strips and conservation practices found in agricultural landscape optimal for improving the abundance and diversity of beneficial insects? If not, what is the best bet for a habitat that could conserve beneficial insects?

Findings: Generally, existing buffer strips play a positive role but are not optimal. The best habitat would be buffers that use native flowering forbs that are attractive to beneficial insects in a mixture that provides a flower resource throughout the growing season. A higher density of highly attractive native species is better for beneficials than a high diversity of native species.

Lead investigator: Matt O'Neal, ISU Entomology

Co-Investigator(s):

Lisa Schulte-Moore, ISU Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Year of grant completion: 2012

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Ecology Initiative.

Topics: Biocontrol and Integrated Pest Management, Conservation practices, Economic and environmental impacts, Watershed and ecoregion