Synthesis agrobiodiversity - conservation and functionality

Abstract

Biodiversity, including that of insects, should be preserve or even enhanced for its own sake, sometimes encouraged by international organizations. In agricultural areas an additional reason for its conservation is the ecological services it can provide to agriculture, including the natural control of crop pests. In this special issue of Entomologische Berichten studies focusing on each of the two aims are discussed. With special attention for the anthropod groups that play a role in pest control. Both aims can partly rely on conserving and improving the network of non-productive landscape elements, but for certain goals and insect groups specific measures will be require