This new publication released last month studies the importance of landscape features in supporting natural pest control and farm income when pesticide application is reduced. The publication introduces a novel approach to quantifying the contribution of landscape features to agricultural yields and its economic value to crop production on a broad scale. Using the European Union as a case study, the publication combines granular farm-level data, a spatially explicit map of landscape feature potential, and a regional agro-economic supply and market model to reveal the significant impacts of landscape features on agricultural productivity and income.
Title: Landscape features support natural pest control and farm income when pesticide application is reduced
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48311-3
Year: 2024
Authors: Klinnert, A; Barbosa, AL; Catarino, R; Fellmann, T; Baldoni, E; Beber, C; Hristov, J; Paracchini, ML; Rega, C; Weiss, F; Witzke, P; RodrÃguez-Cerezo, E
Journal: nature communications
Abstract: Future trajectories of agricultural productivity need to incorporate environmental targets, including the reduction of pesticides use. Landscape features supporting natural pest control (LF-NPC) offer a nature-based solution that can serve as a partial substitute for synthetic pesticides, thereby supporting future productivity levels. Here, we introduce a novel approach to quantify the contribution of LF-NPC to agricultural yields and its associated economic value to crop production in a broad-scale context. Using the European Union as case study, we combine granular farm-level data, a spatially explicit map of LF-NPC potential, and a regional agro-economic supply and market model. The results reveal that farms located in areas characterized by higher LF-NPC potential experience lower productivity losses in a context of reduced synthetic pesticides use. Our analysis suggests that LF-NPC reduces yield gaps on average by four percentage points, and increases income by a similar magnitude. These results highlight the significance of LF-NPC for agricultural production and income, and provide a valuable reference point for farmers and policymakers aiming to successfully invest in landscape features to achieve pesticides reduction targets.
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