Adventitious flora management for increasing functional biodiversity in agroforestry systems

Abstract

Supporting sustainable strategies to promote functional biodiversity in agroforestry systems is a priority for increasing biological conservation protection against enemies of existing crops and forest species. For the Conservation biological control, it is important to implement management practices that maintain and contribute to enhancing the reproduction, survival and efficiency of both pollinators and beneficial entomofauna that regulate the population of crop enemies. Plant species suitable for promoting increased population levels of these natural enemies and pollinators, ensuring their food needs (e.g. pollen, nectar, honeydew) and shelter (alternative hosts), are fundamental. In this context, regarding pollinating insects and, in particular, the domestic bee, Apis mellifera iberiensis, this work aims to contribute to the knowledge of the flora that meet these requirements, and at the same time, contribute to increasing the value of the domestic bee for the Ecosystem Services.