Hayfields – Floral resources and pollinators

Summary

Pollinating insect populations are generally declining at local, national and global scales, and several wild pollinator species are extinct or endangered.
•Almost half of the Danish bumblebee species are on the red list.
•Such declines present a critical threat to future agricultural production, but biodiversity of pollinating insects and insect-pollinated plants is also at risk.
•Organic grasslands with a high proportion of herbs may provide a significant better habitat for pollinating insects, and in particular, well-managed hayfields with species flowering during the entire growing season.