Ecological Intensification: Using Wildlife-Friendly Farming to Increases Crop Yield

bitat we were able to demonstrate yield increases in the cropped areas of the fields which became more pronounced over a six year period. The tendency of yields to increase over time suggested that populations of beneficial invertebrates need time to become established on wildlife friendly habitats before they can provide ecosystem services at economically important levels. Despite the loss of cropland yields were either maintained or enhanced depending on crop. Importantly, over a 5 year crop rotation there would be no negative impact on overall yield in terms of either monetary value or nutritional energy resulting from the loss of land for wildlife friendly habitats, while in some case there are yield gains. This study provides a demonstration that wildlife friendly management supporting ecosystem services is compatible with conventional arable systems.