Centar za biologiju pčela

Video: Enhancing ecosystem services in Oil-seed rape

EcoStack, a 5-year Research and Innovation Action (2018-2024), under the EU Horizon 2020 programme, included 24 partners with complementary expertise, covering all major pedoclimatic production zones and major agricultural production systems in Europe.

One of the partners was University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology with participation in:

Work Package 3: Linking crop yields with off-crop functional biodiversity
Subsection: WP3.2 Optimising spatio-temporal availability of off-crop habitats for improved ESP (Ecosystem Service Providers) effectiveness.

Project objectives

In the face of a growing global population, agriculture must meet the demand for high productivity while considering environmental impacts and the social acceptability of new production strategies.

The EcoStack project aims to address this challenge by developing sustainable crop production strategies. This is achieved through the integration of biodiversity service providers and bio-inspired tools for crop protection, both within and around agricultural fields. The goal is to enhance the sustainability of food production systems across Europe.

The primary objective of EcoStack is to create and promote ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable crop production by stacking and protecting functional biodiversity.

EcoStack utilizes transdisciplinary research methods and promotes active participation of multi-actor groups across Europe. This approach aims to create new knowledge, transfer know-how, co-design new cropping systems, and use stakeholder-guided development of new agricultural concepts to generate economic and ecological benefits for farmers, biodiversity, and society.

Semi-natural habitats

Agricultural intensification leads to the loss of natural habitats and a decline in biodiversity, affecting ecosystem services like pollination and pest control.

Semi-natural habitats serve as crucial reservoirs for beneficial arthropods that provide essential ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. These habitats offer alternative food sources, nesting sites, shelter, and overwintering sites for pollinators and natural enemies in agroecosystems.