Landscape features support natural pest control and farm income when pesticide application is reduced

Ana Klinnert (), Ana Luisa Barbosa, Rui Catarino, Thomas Fellmann, Edoardo Baldoni, Caetano Beber, Jordan Hristov, Maria Luisa Paracchini, Carlo Rega, Franz Weiss, Peter Witzke and Emilio Rodriguez-Cerezo
Additional contact information
Ana Klinnert: Joint Research Centre
Ana Luisa Barbosa: Joint Research Centre
Rui Catarino: Joint Research Centre
Edoardo Baldoni: Joint Research Centre
Caetano Beber: Joint Research Centre
Maria Luisa Paracchini: Joint Research Centre
Carlo Rega: Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Franz Weiss: Joint Research Centre
Peter Witzke: EuroCARE Bonn GmbH
Emilio Rodriguez-Cerezo: Joint Research Centre

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48311-3

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