Ecological restoration of field margins enhances biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services in rice agroecosystems

Abstract

Ecological restoration of non-productive agricultural areas such as field margins has been identified as a key priority to enhance biodiversity and promote multiple ecosystem services within agroecosystems. Field margin restoration is especially important in rice (Oryza sativa, L), a globally important crop which occupies around 15 % of world cropland surface. Even though assessment of how ecosystem service multifunctionality varies across different restoration strategies is scarce. Here, by using a 3-year field scale experiment, we evaluated how different restoration strategies (i.e., hedgerows, flower strips and passive restoration) contribute to ecosystem service multifunctionality in rice farming. We focused on the simultaneous provision of biodiversity enhancement, pest and weed control, mitigation of invasive species impact, and soil protection. We found that all restoration strategies substantially increased multifunctionality when compared to non-restored margins, with improved plant and natural enemy diversity, reduced weed abundance, enhanced protection against the invasive red swamp crawfish, and decreased soil erosion. Multifunctionality was similar across restoration strategies, yet the passive spontaneous restoration emerged as the most economically feasible. Overall, our results underscore the value of restoring non-productive areas such as field margins to promote rice multifunctional landscapes. Specifically, passive restoration strategies offer a promising approach to enhance multiple ecosystem services while remaining cost-effective, supporting both biodiversity conservation and sustainable agricultural production.