ORCHARD

BIODIVERSITY

TOOLKIT

This document will guide you through the process ofmonitoring the biodiversity in your orchard at first. Asecond part consists of management tips to improve thehabitat quality within it. We hope you have fun whilemonitoring and learning about biodiversity in your ownorchard!

Good luck !!

Red Apple team: Jorge Villa Cedeño, Jelger Elings, Godlove Kirimibo, Xuqing Li, Palash Mandal, Tim van Schelt

JULY, 2017

Welcome to this toolkit!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Monitoring BiodiversityMonitoring Plants

Monitoring Mammals

Monitoring Birds

Monitoring Insects

Management StrategiesPruning

Hedgerows and Border Plants

Grazing and Mowing

Dead wood and Branches

Compile Wood or Stone

Variety Fruit Tree Species

Nesting Boxes for Birds

Water Bodies

Insect Hotel

Fallen Fruits

A field full of different flowers, birds,

insects and many other animals,reminds us of the concept of‘biodiversity’ which is a hot topic rightnow. What does it really mean? Brieflybiodiversity is the diversity of life in agiven area, which can be a water pond,patch of forest, a whole forest, or atraditional orchard as in our case.Biodiversity incorporates all types ofanimals, plants, and even tiny livingorganisms that we cannot see with ournaked eyes. In addition, biodiversityincludes also the vast genetic variationthat exist within the species.Traditional orchards receive specialattention in France, Spain, andGermany due to their role inbiodiversity conservation. Maintainingtraditional orchards in the Netherlandscan also play a big role in theconservation of biodiversity.

This toolkit will guide you through theprocess of improving the biodiversityin your orchard. We will explain everystep of the process and provide youwith the right information to measureand improve biodiversity. The toolkitconsists of 2 steps: monitoring, andmanagement advice. These twoelements have their own purpose andI will explain them briefly. Monitoringbiodiversity will be done in 4

categories: birds, insects, mammalsand plants. We have chosen these 4categories because most of the floraand fauna in the orchards can becategorized in these categories. Tomonitor they have to be measured, wewill explain all the methods tomeasure the presence of the flora andfauna and how to fill in the data. Wewill work in this toolkit with the mosteasy to use techniques and refer toother helpful sources of information ifneeded.

Filling in the data to tuintelling.nlallows you to get an overview of thebiodiversity in your orchard, but alsoallows your friends to check yourbiodiversity. The data filled in hereallows agricultural collectives or otherparties to analyze the data and informyou about your biodiversity scores.This allows you to apply some targetedmanagement if a biodiversity groupscores low. Using the very samemonitoring system allows you to trackthe changes as the orchard reacts tothe new management.

The scientific backup of the advice canbe found in the report

INTRODUCTION

List of needed tools

5

Note down all the species you encounter.

Try to estimate the number of plants you see per species.

The data you’ve collected can be filled in into an app like NOVA

• Notebook and pen

• FLORON abundance table

• Camera (optional)

The plant monitoring system is very easy, and even pleasant. Itconsists of taking a stroll through your orchard and noting downwhat you see. Since the orchard in general is only a small piece ofland this can easily be done. More ‘scientific’ methods come withextra work and complications, and this method is scientific enough toestimate species composition and abundances.

The monitoring starts with entering the orchard. Before monitoring itis important to define the borders of your orchard. Usually this willbe made pretty clear by hedges, walls, or ditches. Then start walkingthrough the orchard. Make sure that you visit all places of theorchard and don’t forget any corners. Also count the species in theboundaries. While walking try to focus on the flowering species. Theyare the easiest to identify, and if done in the right period almost allplants will flower. This right period runs from the end of May to June.Make sure there is enough time before mowing and monitoring.Preferably the monitoring should be done before any mowing hasoccurred.

Once a year. Between the months of May and June

List of needed tools

6

Access Groenmonitor orAkkerweb

Follow the instructions on how to view the NDVI index

Check for variations on health and density of your plants

• Computer or any device that can access the internet.

Satellite images can easily be used to monitor the plants in yourorchard, with the help of an vegetation index known as theNormalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This index measuresthe variations in vegetation health and density. It’s values can rangefrom -1 to 1. Higher values indicate healthier and denser vegetationand lower values indicate less vegetation.

Farmers all around the Netherlands can freely access to satelliteimages of their plots with the values of this index through web pageslike www.groenmonitor.nl and https://akkerweb.eu/nl-nl/.

You can check on your orchard any time of the year, but be awarethat it would be better to monitor the health and density of yourplants between the months of May and June, when plants are moreabundant.

As needed. Between the months of May and June

List of needed tools

7

Set up the camera trap using the folder ‘Project Wildcamera’

Upload the camera footage

The data from the camera footage will be analysed

• Camera trap

• Tin of sardines

• Pole

• Screws

• Screwdriver

The monitoring of the mammals is very easy and straightforward. Itrequires very little from the person doing the monitoring and thebest thing is actually to do as little as possible. The method we adviceto use is the placement of camera traps. The application of cameratraps works best when the surroundings of the camera are disturbedas little as possible since most mammals avoid human influences.

There is a step-by-step plan written for the application of cameras inbackyards. We can use exactly the same protocol. The first step is tofind a suitable place to hang the camera. This can be done togetherwith an expert from the collective or a local representative of theZoogdiervereniging.

Once per season

List of needed tools

8

Note down the species for the week count

Select the day for the point count and execute it

Upload observations to tuintelling.nl

• Identification key

• Notebook and pen

• Watch

• binocular

The monitoring of the bird species is very simple. Simply note down whatspecies and in what quantities you see during a week in the orchard. Atthe end of the week you can fill this in in tuintelling.nl. The data is thenstored and appears on your ‘wall’. Here you can easily find back whatyou’ve seen in the past. Also your friends can see what animals appear inyour orchard. When you have problems identifying a species it is reallyeasy to ask for help. Simply post a picture or description and one of yourfriends can probably help you out. In addition we’ve made a list with themost common species to help you out with the identification.

The second way of monitoring requires a bit more effort. This is the so-called point-count. With this method you will sit in the middle of yourorchard at a set date and time. You note down what species andquantities you observe in the orchard in a 30 minute timeframe. Using astandardised method like this allows us to compare between orchards.Something we can’t do with the first method. This point count can beexecuted together with a week count. So point count data will then beincorporated in the week count. You can find further instructions ontuintelling.nl

Once per season

List of needed tools

9

Randomly select 2 trees

For each tree: Hang 2 glue traps on branches and bury 2 pitfalls

in the ground

Take pictures and send to your collectives

• 4 Glue traps

• 4 Pitfalls

• Camera (Smartphone)

• Water and soap

The monitoring of the insects is easy to operate for owners. Glue traps,pitfalls and a camera (or a smartphone with camera) are everything youneed. What you need to do is to set up the traps in the orchards for atleast 24 hours and take a photo of them. Then, send all the photographsto the agricultural collectives with your name and the time when thesephotos taken. All the identification work will be done by the agriculturalcollectives or organizations associated. Final result will be sent to youafter several days.

The pitfalls will catch insects active on ground and glue traps will catchinsects active in the air and on the tree. First suitable weather is required.We propose a cloudy day with changeable weather. Because during thisweather, all the flying insects are active and easy captured. Then, 2random trees need to be selected in orchards. Hang 2 glue traps on thebranches of each tree with 1 in the north and the other in the south. Inaddition to that, bury 2 pitfalls in the ground near each tree with 1 underthe canopy and the other out of the canopy. Poor a little water with soapin them in order to prevent the insects from escaping. After 24 hours ,take pictures of all the pitfalls and glue traps. Send all the pictures withthe following information: date of monitoring, start and end time, nameof you and your orchard.

Once per season

Management Practices

Management Practice

Provision of/Role Biodiversity target

1 Pruningi. Allow sun exposure in the orchardsii. Accelerates formation of tree-cavitiesiii. Lengthens lifespan of fruit trees

● Variety of invertebrates● Small mammals

2Hedgerows and border plants

i. Habitats for different speciesii. Flowering parts offer food (pollen and nectar) for different insect speciesiii. Windbreakers

● Small mammals e.g. mice, shrews, stoats, badgers● Birds● Plants

3 Grazingi. Help to control stronger plant species from dominating the orchardii. Add manure in the orchard

● Different plant species● Soil dwelling invertebrates

4Dead Trees and

BranchesShelter for many arthropods, amphibians and reptiles.

● Insects e.g. beetles● Small mammals

5Compile Wood

or Stone Provide microclimate (hot and cool and dry and wet) for a wide range of species

● Insects● Small mammals and● Ferns and mosses plants

6Different Species

and Variety of Fruit Trees

Ensure continue supply of food (nectar, pollen and fruit) for insects, birds and other animals

● Insects● Birds● Small mammals

7 Bird Nest Breeding site for birds ● Birds

8 Water Bodiesi. Habitats for a wide of aquatic invertebrates/animals.Ii. Hunting site for bird, reptiles

● Insects● Birds

9 Insect Hotel Shelter for insects during unfavorable condition like winter

● Insects

Once you have started to analyze the kind and number of species you can find inyour orchard, it’s time to guarantee that the quality of the habitat will support thepossibility for these species to live here. Different management practices in yourorchard focus on different functional communities. The combination of measurescan create an ideal situation for different species to prosper. The Using thefollowing table can help you to easily see what management measures can increasethe biodiversity of a particular group.

Advices for Management

11

Increasing the level of canopy openness (sun exposure) can increasespecies richness of small mammals and arthropods including redlisted saproxylic beetles. Scientists found that Pruning accelerates theoccurrence of decay tree-cavities which are important winter roost-sites for many invertebrates. However for the pruning practice tobring good effect on biodiversity it should be carried out byskilled/trained persons. For example, for pruning to help in theformation of cavities the types and number of branches to be prunedas well as the size of cuts should be considered. It is recommended toremove main branches that are radiating from the trunk of a fruittree and pruning wounds should have a diameter of at least be largerthan 10cm. Old, neglected trees fall down early, and as a result, birdslose important elements of their habitat such as hollows. Pruning isan important practice that revitalize older trees by a revitalizationcut, which lengthens their lifespan and therefore increases theirecological value significantly. Moreover, Pruning is an appropriatecare and maintenance measure needed for young trees to developproperly and to become a landscape-shaping element.

PRUNING

Possible Strategies

• Remove primary main branches radiating from the trunk of the fruit trees to accelerate the formation of decay-cavities.

• It is advised that pruning should be carried out by a trained person.

• The branch should be checked for Bird’s nests before it is cut down.

Did you know that the Chinese invented the technique of grafting?

12

Hedgerow growing in the orchard plays an important role in biodiversityconservation and agroecosystem functioning. Species-rich hedgerows canoffer a significant habitats for invertebrates. The presence of hedgerowsacts not only as effective ecological corridors, but also appropriatehabitats for different species, particularly for small mammals and birds.During winter they can also offer winter cover for non-hibernator tinymammals. The base of the hedge offers shelter for woodland mice, bankvoles, shrews, stoats, badgers, hedgehogs and other mammals.Hedgerows supply alternative hosts as well as prey for natural enemies ofinsects in the absence of the pest. The flowering plants in the hedge aresource of pollen and nectar, which is very essential for survival andreproduction of many insect species. In perennial crops, such as fruitorchards, there may be a continuous succession of floral resourcesavailable in the groundcover and the surrounding hedgerows throughoutthe growing season. During the period of pesticides application in theorchard, hedge rows support invertebrate predators. Hedgerows also actas windbreaks, protecting animals and trees from heavy winds. A diverseselection of flowering plant species to be used in growing the borderplants or hedgerows is good for orchard biodiversity. Blackthorn,Hornbeam, Hazel, Guelder rose, Crab apple, Honeysuckle and Willowspecies are very suitable for growing hedgerows in an orchard.

HEDGEROWS AND BORDER PLANTS

Possible Strategies

• Introduce some flowering trees in the border row or hedges of the orchard.

• Keep away from all kinds of disturbance during the spring to avoid harming nesting birds.

http://www.landschapsbeheerzeeland.nl/uploads/landschapsbeheerzeeland/misc/products/zaaikaart_bloemenranden_2015.pdf .

http://hedgelink.org.uk/index.php

Did you know that the British empire build the great hedge of India in order to collect salt tax. The hedge started with dead wood but turned into a living hedge of more then 4000km.

13

Planned grazing in orchards is an ecological way for maintainingbiodiversity and introducing extra production activities. Mostly, sheep andcows are used in traditional orchards. Grazing can help with controllingthe structure and composition of ground cover. Sometimes it happens inunmanaged ground cover that some plant species especially some herbsand shrubs become dominant and other species disappear. As a result thediversity of plant species in the ground cover is reduced.

However, some points really need to be considered during grazing in theorchard such as the number of animal per unit area and intensity andmethod of grazing. Rotational grazing and strip grazing system is better forthe biodiversity in the orchard and the number of animal per unit areadepends on animal type.

The optimal grazing intensity should be less than 0.5 livestock units.During grazing these animals add their manure to the orchard ground.This manure stimulates the number and activity of earthworms and someother soil dwelling invertebrates and contribute also to increase theanimal biodiversity. But care should be taken to fencing your newlyplanted trees in the orchard to prevent damage during grazing. To manageground cover of the orchard owner also practice mowing. But mowingwhole ground cover at a time may cause lack of food and shelter.

GRAZING

Possible Strategies

• Wise to avoid those animals that does not graze on the ground cover only , but also feed on the leafs and bark of the trees e.g. goats.

• Overgrazing should be avoided.

• Young trees should be fenced in order to protect them.

• If you mow do not mow the whole orchard at once but divide it in 2 parts to give animals a place to hide.

Did you know that a sheep eats on average 4m2 grass a day?

14

Dead fruit trees act as a good harbouring site for many insectspecies, especially beetles. Mainly predators and pollinators likewasps and bees take residence on dried wood. Both of them areimportant functional group since bees reflect floral and wasps insectand spider diversity in the traditional fruit orchard. Dead trees withinthe orchard increases bird density because of the many holes thatcan act as roosting sites and rich resources of food. Some saproxylicspecies of invertebrates depends on dead or decayed wood withamalgamation of wood decaying fungal species.

DEAD TREES AND BRANCHES

Possible Strategies

• Plant new trees just beside dead trees without removing dead trees.

• At least the main trunk of dead trees can be kept in the orchard to

avoid shade for nearby newly planted plant.

Did you know that 40% of woodland wildlife is dependent on dead wood?

15

Piles of wood or stones can make hot and dry or cool and wetmicroclimates for a wide range of animal species like reptiles, insects,mammals and some amphibians. They are especially significant forweasels and stoats, both large auxiliaries of the orchard since theyare predators of voles. Moreover, it also creates good habitat forferns and mosses. Lastly it is advised that piles of wood and otherrefugia should not be placed or created where there are alreadypresent good quality habitat. Because, there is less likely that thetargeted species need to use artificial habitat sources, and thus theadded value of enhancing a habitat may be lost. Moreover, thelocations must be sheltered to avoid frost pockets and areasvulnerable to flooding. For orchards with freely draining soils, thematerial can be dug into a depression of about 0.5m deep.

COMPILE WOOD OR STONE

Possible Strategies

• Removed branched or other plant parts can be put on a pile instead of burning.

• Large stones can be used as an alternative to compiles of wood.

• It is better to keep them undisturbed throughout the year.

• http://www.landschapoverijssel.nl/downloads/aanlegwijzer_takkenril.pdf

Did you know that the maintenance of a dead hedge is really low. The only thing you have to do is refill the hedge from the top once in a while!

16

Although the fruit blossom begins in early March, this condition canbe maintained until spring through growing different species of fruittrees in the orchard. For example, plums will flower in March, pearsin April and most of the apple flower in May. There are some fruitspecies that have early, mid and late season varieties. Planting amixture means that your orchard will be a source of nectar, pollen,and fruit for a longer period of the year for different pollinating insectspecies.

GROWING DIFFERENT SPECIES AND VARIETY

Possible Strategies

• Consider different species looking to the neighbour during gap filling or new plantation.

• Different variety of same species can be combined in one tree.

• http://www.fruitbomen.net/downloads/bestuivingstabel.pdf

Do you know there are 44 apple varieties growing in different orchards in Netherlands?

17

Cavity nesting birds use the pre-existing cavities as their nesting sites.These cavities may be natural or formed as a result of excavation byother birds like woodpeckers or other animals that are primary cavitydwellers which use the cavities they make themselves for nesting.Natural cavities can occur when a tree is damaged due to diseases orharsh weather condition When such cavities are missing or areinsufficient in the orchard it may lead to the decline of cavity-nestingbird species. Biodiversity of cavity-nesting birds can be improved bysimple and convenient measures like the installation of nestingboxes.

NESTING BOXES FOR BIRDS

Possible Strategies

• Retain old trees in the orchards that have greater chance of having hollows for bird nesting.

• Install artificial bird nests of different sizes in the orchards as different bird species prefer different sizes.

Do you know some birds build their nest upside down?

18

Water bodies like small lakes or ponds act as a good habitat for arange of aquatic invertebrates. The hedge or trees on the bank oflakes support more suitable habitat for birds, bats, badgers,amphibians, reptiles and terrestrial invertebrates, particularlydragonflies and damselflies. Most of the frogs and toads areassociated with water bodies during breeding, as well asnonbreeding periods of their life cycle. In addition, some mammalslike shrews, moles, mice, rats, lemmings, and voles also get supportfrom waterbodies.

WATERBODIES

Possible Strategies

• Small pond can be created in the orchard.

• Better to grow some trees in the bank of the pond.

• Pond water should keep free from any pollution.

Do you know a small lakes can increase the beauty of your orchard?

19

Insects species, as well as their natural enemies, require shelter fromenvironmental hazard eg. cold, rain, wind, heat and pesticideenvironment. Accessibility of appropriate habitats enhances resting,foraging, and overwintering or nesting of insect. In addition, a widevariety of arthropods such as spiders, caterpillars, tree crickets,sawflies, weaver ants, thrips and beetles, use plant foliage to buildtheir domiciles, on which they live for all or a part of their life cycle.However, in traditional fruit orchard of Netherlands, there is noleaves and flower in the trees during the winter season. So, there is apossibility to lose some species, especially winter sensitive species.The use of branch piles and hedge structures helps a lot, butadditionally, artificial shelters can be created for them to providethem shelter within the orchards. The position of this artificialstructure within the orchard is important and should be placedwhere it can receive maximum sunlight.

INSECT HOTEL

Alternative Strategies

• Better to place insect hotels where they receive enough sunlight.

• Should ensure good roof in the insect hotel to prevent rain water.

https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/sites/default/files/Insectenhotel.pdf

Do you know insect hotel support more natural enemies of insects compare to harmful insects?

20

Fallen fruits can optimize your orchard habitat by providing food foranimals. When these fruits are left on the ground of orchards theyprovide an important autumn and winter food source for a range ofwildlife thus help to ensure the survival of some species. Fallen fruitscreate natural larder that attracts species like butterflies, birds,moths, mammals, and bees.

FALLEN FRUITS

Possible Strategies

• Fresh fallen fruit can be collected.

• Some of the fruit on the ground has to remain.

Do you know that butterflies are crazy about the sap of rotting fallen fruits?

Friends of traditional orchards, thank you for

taking your time to read this toolkit aboutmonitoring the biodiversity in orchards andoptimizing habitat quality for improvingbiodiversity. We hope that this document providesinsight and enthusiasm towards conserving thistreasure of our natural orchards for our benefitsand the generations to come in the Netherlandsand the world at large. Good to keep in mind thatvarious and valuable results can only be obtained ifyou, we and other players are enthusiastic aboutthis goal and participate in the conservation withgreat dedication.

Wish all success in your orchards !

Red Apple team: Jorge Villa Cedeño, Jelger Elings, Godlove Kirimibo, Xuqing Li, Palash Mandal, Tim van Schelt