Species diversity of green fallows, field experiment in Ypäjä, Finland, 2003 - 2008.

The data originate from national monitoring on the effects of the Finnish agri-environment support scheme (MYTVAS). Field experiment was conducted from 2003 to 2008 to examine the succession of plant and pollinator communities on long-term set-aside. The effects of two factors, seed mixture and mowing, were studied. The experiment was conducted in Ypäjä, south-western Finland, on a large clay soil field parcel as a strip plot design. The seed mixture treatments were the competitive (standard) grass mixture, a less competitive grass mixture and a diverse nectar and pollen plant seed mixture. The habitat management treatment was either annual mowing or no mowing. Coverages of plant species was estimated twice each summer. Pollinators were counted four times each summer using the line-transect method. For comparison with the experimental study plots, the pollinators on 10 surrounding, uncultivated field margins were also monitored. Insect food available to birds was assessed by sweep netting the vegetation five times per summer in 2004 - 2008. The methods are described in the following publications: Hyvönen, T., Huusela-Veistola, E., Kuussaari, M. & Alanen, E.-L. 2010. Viherkesantojen luontovaikutukset. (Effects of green fallows on farmland biodiversity, in Finnish). In: Aakkula, J., Manninen, T. & Nurro, M. (eds.). Follow-up study on the impacts of agri-environment measures (MYTVAS 3). Mid-term report. Maa- ja metsätalousministeriön julkaisuja 1: 105-114. Alanen E.-L., Hyvönen, T., Lindgren, S., Härmä, O. & Kuussaari, M. 2011. Differential responses of bumblebees and diurnal Lepidoptera to vegetation succession in long-term set-aside. Journal of Applied Ecology 48: 1251-1259. Huusela-Veistola, E. 2007. Kesantojen ekosysteemipalvelut: lintujen hyönteisravinto ja tuholaisten luontaiset viholliset. In: Salonen, J., Keskitalo, M. & Segerstedt, M. (eds.). Peltoluonnon ja viljelyn monimuotoisuus. Maa- ja elintarviketalous 110: 47 - 69. Hyvönen, T. 2007. Kesantojen kasvilajiston monimuotoisuus ja siemenravinnon tuotto linnuille. In: Salonen, J., Keskitalo, M. & Segerstedt, M. (eds.). Peltoluonnon ja viljelyn monimuotoisuus. Maa- ja elintarviketalous 110: 13 - 25. Kuussaari, M., Härmä, O. & Hyvönen, T. 2007. Viherkesantojen merkitys pölyttäjähyönteisille. In: Salonen, J., Keskitalo, M. & Segerstedt, M. (eds.). Peltoluonnon ja viljelyn monimuotoisuus. Maa- ja elintarviketalous 110: 47 - 69. Kuussari, M., Hyvönen, T. & Härmä, O. 2011. Pollinator insects benefit from rotational fallows. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 143: 28-36.