Field margins in northern Europe: their functions and interactions with agriculture

摘要: Abstract Most agricultural landscapes are a mosaic of farmers’ fields, semi-natural habitats, human infrastructures (e.g. roads) and occasional natural habitats. Within such landscapes, linear habitats often define the edges fields. This paper reviews role interactions within between flora these elements. In temperate, intensive agriculture, field margin which historically had true functions, now important refugia for biodiversity. As manmade margins may also have cultural roles as part our landscape heritage, e.g. hedges in Britain. Whilst not usually specific habitat types, they contain variety plant communities structures. These range from aquatic elements to ruderal woodland communities. Studies demonstrate fields their margins. Agricultural operations, fertiliser pesticide application, effects on flora. Some spread into crops, becoming weeds. Margins associated fauna, some be pest species, while many beneficial, either crop pollinators or predators. The biodiversity particular importance maintenance species at higher trophic levels, notably farmland birds, scale. contribute sustainability production, by enhancing beneficial crops reducing use. northwestern Europe, methods enhance diversity been introduced, including sown grass flower strips. impact weed arthropods indicate mostly though conflicts exist, conservation rare arable species.