Pollinator Protection and Ecosystem Services in SUDOE Oleaginous Agroecosystems

South West Europe has a lot of oilseeds lands polarized by insects. Nevertheless, due to habitats destruction and bees’ colonies collapse, this polarization has been hardly reduced.POLL OLE GI seeks to curb the decline of pollinating insects on oilseed crops (rapeseed and sunflower mainly), being these key elements in the production of the most important crops (responsible for 75% of world production) and among them, food (35%).
To do this, pilot plots were established in sunflower and rapeseed crops to check the effect of green infrastructure on pollinators and the productivity of these crops. As a result, connectivity maps of the pilot areas were made on the one hand with a view to analysing pollinator behaviours and, on the other hand, green infrastructure implementation maps. All this facilitated the creation of a risk assessment model for honeybees. A floral mixture was designed to be applied in the pilot plots, made of compost and biochar. All this showed that the introduction of green infrastructures, with a reduced application of herbicides and nitrogen fertilizers, allows increasing the diversity of pollinators and improving the yield of rapeseed and sunflower crops.
The results of the project include:
- A floral mix to improve the biodiversity of pollinators and other insects in the agricultural landscape. The latter should be promoted within CAP’s grants in the Member States.
- The definition of tools for monitoring pollinator populations.
- A technical guide describing how to implement green infrastructures in oilseed crops and a political guide addressed to decision makers.
The project was attended by associated local beneficiaries and a previously existing network of farmers and beekeepers in the regions of France.Tools for monitoring pollinator populations; Technical guide on green infrastructures for the protection of pollinators