Invertebrate distributions between permanent field boundary habitats and temporary stubble set-aside.

Abstract

The distributions of 16 invertebrate groups containing taxa known to be eaten by farmland birds were compared between permanent field boundary habitats and at two distances, 3 m and 50 m, in adjacent one-year rotational set-aside stubble fields. Invertebrates were sampled during May before any vegetation management was carried out on the set-aside fields. 13 groups were more abundant in the field boundary with the difference of 8 of these groups being significant between the permanent boundary compared to the set-aside field. Only one group showed the reverse. Few differences were found between the two within-field distances with only Heteroptera showing a significant difference. Differences between the vegetation at each of the three distances were also sampled. Implications for arable birds and provision of invertebrate food during the early spring are discussed as well as the possible effect of set-aside management on boundary invertebrates in the longer term.