Pollinating insects such as wild bees, hoverflies, beetles, and countless other insects provide a wide range of services and benefits to society: they are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems and their importance for food security is widely acknowledged.To assess the impact of biodiversity-sensitive land management practices in FRAMEwork’s farmer clusters , pollinator monitoring is conducted using two widely used methods: pan-trapping and bumblebee-butterfly counts along transects. This monitoring has the following advantages: 1) it makes use of standardised, quantifiable collection methods, commonly used in several pollinator monitoring schemes in Europe, and in the recently proposed EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EUPoMS), 2) it has a broad taxonomic coverage of pollinators (e.g., butterflies, wild bees, hoverflies, other insects), 3) it is easy to implement both by citizen scientists and experts (e.g. facilitators).By using the proposed standardised methods, farmer clusters will not only be able to assess the benefits of pollinator-sensitive management actions implemented in their specific context and in the long term, but they will also be able to compare the results of their pollinator-friendly management practices to a reference baseline in the larger countryside and beyond, to contribute to wider-scale monitoring programs that make use of similar methods, and to potentially further engage both farmers and citizen scientists.

Biodiversity is the key to functioning ecosystems and stable field yields. From this point of view, it is important that farmers who spend a large part of their working time outdoors in nature have a good knowledge of the vegetation in their meadows. But it's not just the vegetation that is of great importance, but also all the creatures that live on and in the grassland. The i-Naturalist app offers very good assistance for identifying flora and fauna in grassland. A farmer cluster meeting was organized at one of the Cluser farms to register and use the app. Each of the farmers received the link to install the app. At the beginning there was a small theoretical introduction to i-Naturalist, such as how to use the app and how we can use it for our cluster. The participants were then asked outside to a flower-filled meadow to practice the application of i-Naturalist on the smartphone. It was demonstrated how to take clear photos of plants, insects, etc., upload them to the app and find the correct identification. For example, the same species was photographed by each participant to see if everyone achieved the same identification in the app. In order to collect the monitoring data for the framework project, a separate group “Species diversity in the Mostviertel grassland” was set up. Every farmer in the cluster was invited to the group. 480 observations have now been uploaded and 274 species have been identified. Additional ideas, such as an orchid atlas, are being pursued to encourage the Farmer Cluster to use i-Naturalist even more.

Climate changes and many uses - grassland is exposed to a number of stress factors. Stepped grassland management offers an opportunity to counteract climate change and maintain economic viability. The concept is based on the fact that grassland areas are used at different levels of intensity; a distinction is made between multi-cut meadows with high fertilizer use and meadows with lower management intensity, i.e. fewer cuts. The intensive meadows are often those closest to the farm. The more extensively used meadows are those that are further away from the farm and are subject to natural usage limits, such as waterlogged, shallow or steep areas. The farmers in the Mostviertel Farmer Cluster have also already established graduated grassland management. They mow less often on the steep meadows, which contributes significantly to promoting biodiversity, which can be clearly seen in the colorful flowering plants during vegetation period. The flat areas close to the farm are mown more often and thus contribute to the farm's profitability. Each farm should decide individually on the correct implementation of graduated grassland management, as every farm has different natural conditions. To protect the insects, the farmers in the cluster partly use a double blade mower when mowing instead of a disc or drum mower.

The old stands of traditional pome fruit trees in the Luxembourg farmer cluster accumulate dead wood over time, which limits the ventilation within the canopies and the exposure of the fruit to sunlight. Impeded ventilation in the canopy promotes fungal diseases and heavily shaded fruit ripen poorly. Furthermore, pome fruit trees in the Luxembourg farmer cluster are easily colonized by parasitic mistletoes, which can reduce the life expectancy of the trees. These problems have motivated the search for a suitable funding scheme that can cover a part of the costs of pruning fruit trees and removing the mistletoes. Program 073 (promotion of orchards scattered in meadows) was identified and serves as the basis for the preservation of the orchards. In addition to removing mistletoe and pruning fruit trees, the program allows for replacing dead trees. The latter point is important for the preservation of old fruit cultivars, which are an important element in the differentiation from competing suppliers on the cider market. Scions from old and often rare cutivars are grafted onto vigorous rootstocks that will become new high-stem trees (in some regions also referred to as standard trees) within a few years. 

The disappearance of indicator species from agricultural landscapes is a clear indicator that the ecological state of the agricultural landscape is unfavorable. Traditional practices such as grazing and haymaking in semi-natural habitats have been replaced by intensive feed production, characterized by multiple mowings instead of the previous single mowing. Consequently, the change in management practices has prevented the maturation of seeds for numerous plant species that were once abundant in grasslands, leading to the rarity or complete disappearance of formerly common plant species in agricultural landscapes. One such species that has nearly vanished from agricultural ecosystems is the Globe-flower (Trollius europaeus). Globe-flower thrives in meadows subject to occasional mowing or grazing.Grazing positively impacts soil health by enriching it with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as preserving and sequestering carbon in the soil. Properly managed grazing helps distribute nutrients more evenly across the landscape, making them more accessible to plants and enhancing nutrient cycling efficiency. The use of grazing and minimized mowing reduces soil disturbance, preserves or enhances soil structure, moisture, and carbon content, and ensures the survival of deep-rooted plants that facilitate water absorption into the soil, thus reducing the risk of erosion. In agricultural landscapes and field margins, it is essential to practice minimized mowing to create suitable conditions for various flowering species. Flowering plants play a critical role in supporting the food sources for pollinators, parasitoids, and many predatory species. Their availability in the landscape significantly influences one of the fundamental pillars of integrated pest management: biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes.

Agricultural land must be managed in a sustainable way that maintains long-term ecological functioning and quality crop production with minimal environmental impact. At the CSC, long-term experimental platform, we aim to design, implement, and demonstrate a resilient arable cropping system that can meet all of these requirements. We do this by combining best practice options to achieve multiple benefits, using biodiversity (microbes, plants, and invertebrates) within, and surrounding arable fields to support ecosystem functions and increase the efficiency of crop production. Our low input system integrates management practices for improved soil biophysical quality (conservation tillage, organic matter amendments), sustainable crop nutrition (legume BNF, cover cropping, Soil Nutrient Supply) and enhanced biodiversity (targeted weed control, biofortification to minimise crop protection inputs, species rich field margins). The platform was established in 2009 with a 6-course rotation of beans, barley, wheat, oilseed rape and potatoes over 42 ha, using a split field design comparing low-input system with standard commercial practice. We have found a positive effect on a wide range of systems indicators including soil microbiome (rhizobia, mycorrhizae, antagonists), invertebrate communities (earthworms and carabids), insect pollinators (foraging activity and pollination rates), weed seedbank diversity and beneficial species with no significant impact on crop yields for the most crops. Increased resilience (reduced risk of yield loss) can be seen for varieties adapted to low input conditions. Long-term trends in biodiversity and system functions are being monitored to track changes with management and climate.

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a key species controlling the abundance of field voles (Microtus arvalis) in agricultural landscapes. nstallation of bird boxes for nesting can be effective in locations where voles are abundant. 
To build the bird boxes, use waterproof plywood (1-1.5cm thick). The internal size of the cavity (25x30x35cm) must ensure sufficient overlap of the canopy over the open front wall, with a 13cm high bar at the bottom to hold substrate and prevents chicks from falling out. Drill several 3-5mm holes in the bottom for drainage. Brown or dark grey colour paint is recommended. Line the nesting site with a thick layer of hay or straw. For hanging on a tree or post, stretch a 3mm wire through two holes drilled in the upper fifth of the back wall. 
Install the bird boxes to a height of at least 10m. Kestrels prefer to nest in solitary trees in the middle of fields and meadows and are less willing to settle on the edges of copses. If the poles are located where there is no risk of disturbing nesting pairs, they can be placed at a height of 1.5-2m. Ideal poles are built out of strong metal T-pipes and sunk deeply to prevent rotation by strong winds. When selecting a site for installation of low-lying posts, care should be taken to ensure that they are in gaps between shrubs, in completely open space or in suitable borders without mature trees. The orientation of the inlet is not important but the outlet must be down the slope and not into the trees.
3-4 boxes per 1 km2 should be installed to reduce vole abundance during peaks. Costs of manufacture, installation and maintenance are low, but it takes usually about 10 years for predator exposure to be high enough to push vole densities down to acceptable level.

Birds (such as tits) and bats are very useful in the orchard to control certain pests such as codling moths or aphids. However, natural refuges are becoming increasingly difficult to find for these animals, as old buildings are disappearing, as well as old hedges that are more suitable for sheltering them. It is therefore important and useful to be able to help them by installing nesting boxes for birds and lodges for bats (about 10/ha, see models on nichoirs.net) in the plots, in order to settle the populations durably, and to have an early control in spring. These practices will allow to limit the populations of some pests, and to reduce the use of pesticides. See also:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDQblFaljvk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEfK9tdWoI
• http://archives.phytoma-ldv.com/archivephytoma/article/les-mesanges-se-…

In order to be successful with a biodiversity sensitive farming system, a market niche needs to be identified where the quality and the quantity of the produce that can be obtained do not exclude the crop from market access. 
In case of the Luxembourgish farmer cluster, cider was identified as a product that does not require large and visually perfect fruit that are extremely difficult to obtain without intense agricultural management practices. In contrast, small and bitter fruit from existing old cultivars can be particularly valuable for the flavour of cider. Next, the basis for the production of the fruit, namely the old high stem trees, needed to be secured. For that purpose, an agri-environmental scheme was identified that covers parts of the costs of (1) pruning and (2) the removal of the parasitic mistletoes from the trees. Then, the product needs features that allow a distinction from competitors. Fruits from old cultivars are processed separately, resulting in ciders with specific colour, odour, and taste. Ramborn pays the farmers of the cluster a higher price, if they deliver fruit from cultivars separately. The resulting single cultivar ciders can either be marketed as they are, or, be used for blending. Both methods result into products that stand out when being compared with competing products as evidenced by various awards that the ciders received. The outstanding quality of the products and the biodiversity sensitive system of production allow targeting the upper price segment that in turn allows re-investments into the farming system.

In recent years, a loss of biodiversity in Austrian grassland has been recorded. This was caused by the intensification of use, but also by the abandonment of the grassland, which resulted in successive reforestation. This issue can be overcome by sowing species-rich grassland mixtures. The creation of new grassland becomes necessary if the old stock is to be completely cleared out, for example due to high weed infestation or the conversion of the area for another use.
The reverse rotor harrow can be used for reseeding without a plough. Their S-shaped blades work against the direction of travel and the soil is thrown against a grid, depositing weed seeds and small stones in the bottom of the tiller pit. Only the top layer of soil (8 -10 cm) is processed. Before planting, a razor cut must be done to incorporate as little fresh matter as possible, and the soil should be dry to a depth of 10 cm. Then the soil is worked and sown in one operation, the tractor should have 90 to 120 hp for this. 20 kg/ha of the Renatura tall oat meadow seeding mixture are used for sowing (price for 10 kg is €250). Subsequent rolling with a profile roller is important for good ground contact. This prevents the embryonic root from drying out. Sowing is possible during the entire vegetation period, but late frosts must be avoided. After sowing, one or two care cuts should be made. This meadow is suitable for use twice a year.

In the agricultural landscape different elements, including grassy strips, are important feeding, living, shelter and overwintering habitats for invertebrates, birds, and small mammals. The establishment of grassy strips are also a quick and cost-effective measure compared to other methods of landscaping. Although, flowering edges produce rapid effect, they require continuous management and provide rather feeding than living habitats. When establishing grassy strips to diversify large fields, the best results for both feeding and living habitats are obtained by maintaining species-rich permanent grassy strips. In Estonia, where the most species-rich communities are meadows, it is advisable to sow local meadow species to ensure rapidly diverse, permanent, and self-regenerating vegetation cover. The natural recovery of diverse vegetation is a long process, and in areas where natural meadows are scarce or distant, such a recovery may take too long.
When creating grassland strips, attention must also be paid to proper soil preparation and sowing time. In the future, on the other hand, there is less maintenance – you only need to cut once a year, remove the cuttings and it is recommended to vary the cutting time between years, so that the seeds of different species can ripen. Attention must be paid to the fact that chaffing is not suitable for meadows - excessive nitrogen in the soil favours vegetative growth of some species which quickly eats out others.
Grassy strips provide habitat and a food source for both pollinators and predatory arthropods, reduce erosion and agrochemical drift.

Establishing wildflower areas near crops will provide habitat for beneficial invertebrates to increase crop yields. Pollinators may also be encouraged to visit crop flowers. Increased numbers of natural enemies can reduce crop pests. 
• The wildflower seed mix should contain at least 10 native perennial wildflower species with a diverse range of floral structures, colours, and flowering times to support a diverse range of insects over a long time.
• Prepare the soil in a sunny, dry, and low fertility area. Clear and remove the vegetation during a dry period in July to keep the soil fertility low. Allow remaining seeds to germinate then mechanically weed them to create a stale seedbed.
• Broadcast sow the seed at 1 g/m² on loose soil during a dry period prior to rain in late Aug-Oct then roll the area to fix the seed.
• To ensure a diverse wildflower area cut it to 8-10 cm during dry periods and remove the cuttings to lower soil fertility. Remove harmful weeds such as broad-leaved docks and thistles.
• Year 1: cut in late April to control grasses. Cut up to twice more if annual flowers, grasses, and weeds are stopping perennials from having space to germinate and grow.
• Year 2 and onwards: cut in late April and cut again in Aug/Sept; with each cut leave 15-30% standing to provide insects’ shelter. Consider cutting half the area in June to encourage flowering.

Agricultural intensification has had a negative effect on pollinators and caused rapid decline throughout European landscape. Farmers need to be encouraged and provided with practical techniques to restore pollinator-friendly habitats. Organic farming can be introduced as a management system which can increase pollinator biodiversity. Further, following strategies can be recommended as practical management measures to promote flowering plants and thus pollinators: a high proportion of semi-natural habitats; species-rich flowering strips with autochthonous seed mixtures and proper management, i.e., mowing or replanting only in sections, versatile crop rotations with flowering annual plants (e.g., sunflowers, canola) and perennial forage crops (e.g., clovers, lucerne), species-rich cover crop mixtures, high diversity of habitats, small habitat size or long length of habitat boundaries, intercropping and long-lived flowering strips are preferable. To maintain pollinator biodiversity in the long term, it is recommended to re-establish a proportion of young rotation strips every 4-5 years by turning them over (e.g., ploughing and harrowing) in autumn. To encourage pollinators, nesting locations are important. Because most solitary bees nest in the ground, agricultural practices that inhibit or destroy nests, such as extensive tillage, should be avoided. Therefore, no-tillage and reduced tillage can be recommended. Additionally, a maximum distance of 200 m between habitats with flowering plants should be kept.