Restoration of forests supports the conservation of pollinators in intensively managed agricultural landscapes
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Forests are crucial habitats for pollinators, providing nesting sites, shelter, and opportunities for reproduction. To compensate for ongoing forest clearance at the regional scale, afforestation efforts are being focused on areas where forests are scarce, particularly in intensively managed agricultural lowlands. Our study aimed to: (i) compare pollinator communities in restored forest patches with those in natural forest remnants, which serve as benchmarks for successful restoration; and (ii) identify the local forest characteristics and landscape variables that influence pollinator diversity in forested areas. Our key findings indicate that:
• Restoring forests in intensively managed, forest-poor agricultural landscapes has strong potential to support diverse pollinator communities;
• Successful forest restoration should aim to create conditions that allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the growth of a diverse understory of flowering plants.
• A less dense canopy and abundant floral resources are generally associated with higher pollinator diversity.
• Planting diverse tree species benefits hoverflies, while maintaining or enhancing connectivity between forest patches is crucial for butterflies.
• Compensatory afforestation must be implemented carefully, always prioritising the conservation of existing natural forest remnants.
Link to the study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111008
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Safeguard - Safeguarding European wild pollinators
Ongoing | 2021-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Germany