ORCHARD TOOLKIT Welcome to this toolkit!

This document will guide you through the process of monitoring the biodiversity in your orchard at first. A second part consists of management tips to improve the quality within it. We hope you have fun while monitoring and learning about biodiversity in your own orchard!

Good luck !! JULY, 2017

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

Introduction

Monitoring Biodiversity Monitoring Plants Monitoring Mammals Monitoring Birds Monitoring Insects

Management Strategies Hedgerows and Border Plants Grazing and Mowing Dead wood and Branches Compile Wood or Stone Variety Fruit Species Nesting Boxes for Birds Water Bodies Insect Hotel Fallen Fruits INTRODUCTION

categories: birds, insects, mammals A field full of different flowers, birds, and plants. We have chosen these 4 insects and many other animals, categories because most of the flora reminds us of the concept of and fauna in the orchards can be ‘biodiversity’ which is a hot topic right categorized in these categories. To now. What does it really mean? Briefly monitor they have to be measured, we biodiversity is the diversity of life in a will explain all the methods to given area, which can be a water pond, measure the presence of the flora and patch of forest, a whole forest, or a fauna and how to fill in the data. We traditional orchard as in our case. will work in this toolkit with the most Biodiversity incorporates all types of easy to use techniques and refer to animals, plants, and even tiny living other helpful sources of information if organisms that we cannot see with our needed. naked eyes. In addition, biodiversity includes also the vast genetic variation Filling in the data to tuintelling.nl that exist within the species. allows you to get an overview of the Traditional orchards receive special biodiversity in your orchard, but also attention in France, Spain, and allows your friends to check your Germany due to their role in biodiversity. The data filled in here biodiversity conservation. Maintaining allows agricultural collectives or other traditional orchards in the Netherlands parties to analyze the data and inform can also play a big role in the you about your biodiversity scores. conservation of biodiversity. This allows you to apply some targeted management if a biodiversity group This toolkit will guide you through the scores low. Using the very same process of improving the biodiversity monitoring system allows you to track in your orchard. We will explain every the changes as the orchard reacts to step of the process and provide you the new management. with the right information to measure and improve biodiversity. The toolkit The scientific backup of the advice can consists of 2 steps: monitoring, and be found in the report management advice. These two elements have their own purpose and I will explain them briefly. Monitoring biodiversity will be done in 4 Once a year. Between the months of May and June

The plant monitoring system is very easy, and even pleasant. It consists of taking a stroll through your orchard and noting down what you see. Since the orchard in general is only a small piece of land this can easily be done. More ‘scientific’ methods come with extra work and complications, and this method is scientific enough to estimate species composition and abundances. The monitoring starts with entering the orchard. Before monitoring it is important to define the borders of your orchard. Usually this will be made pretty clear by , walls, or ditches. Then start walking through the orchard. Make sure that you visit all places of the orchard and don’t forget any corners. Also count the species in the boundaries. While walking try to focus on the flowering species. They are the easiest to identify, and if done in the right period almost all plants 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 has occurred.

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

List of needed tools • Notebook and pen • FLORON abundance table • Camera (optional)

5 As needed. Between the months of May and June

Satellite images can easily be used to monitor the plants in your orchard, with the help of an vegetation index known as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This index measures the variations in vegetation health and density. It’s values can range from -1 to 1. Higher values indicate healthier and denser vegetation and lower values indicate less vegetation. Farmers all around the Netherlands can freely access to satellite images of their plots with the values of this index through web pages like www.groenmonitor.nl and https://akkerweb.eu/nl-nl/. You can check on your orchard any time of the year, but be aware that it would be better to monitor the health and density of your plants between the months of May and June, when plants are more abundant.

Access Groenmonitor or Akkerweb

Follow the instructions on how to view the NDVI index

Check for variations on health and density of your plants

List of needed tools • Computer or any device that can access the internet.

6 Once per season

The monitoring of the mammals is very easy and straightforward. It requires very little from the person doing the monitoring and the best thing is actually to do as little as possible. The method we advice to use is the placement of camera traps. The application of camera traps works best when the surroundings of the camera are disturbed as little as possible since most mammals avoid human influences. There is a step-by-step plan written for the application of cameras in backyards. We can use exactly the same protocol. The first step is to find a suitable place to hang the camera. This can be done together with an expert from the collective or a local representative of the Zoogdiervereniging.

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

Upload the camera footage

The data from the camera footage will be analysed

List of needed tools • Camera trap • Tin of sardines • Pole • Screws • Screwdriver 7 Once per season

The monitoring of the bird species is very simple. Simply note down what species and in what quantities you see during a week in the orchard. At the end of the week you can fill this in in tuintelling.nl. The data is then stored and appears on your ‘wall’. Here you can easily find back what you’ve seen in the past. Also your friends can see what animals appear in your orchard. When you have problems identifying a species it is really easy to ask for help. Simply post a picture or description and one of your friends can probably help you out. In addition we’ve made a list with the most 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 your orchard at a set date and time. You note down what species and quantities you observe in the orchard in a 30 minute timeframe. Using a standardised method like this allows us to compare between orchards. Something we can’t do with the first method. This point count can be executed together with a week count. So point count data will then be incorporated in the week count. You can find further instructions on tuintelling.nl

Note down the species for the week count

Select the day for the point count and execute it

Upload observations to tuintelling.nl

List of needed tools • Identification key • Notebook and pen • Watch • binocular

8 Once per season

The monitoring of the insects is easy to operate for owners. Glue traps, pitfalls and a camera (or a smartphone with camera) are everything you need. What you need to do is to set up the traps in the orchards for at least 24 hours and take a photo of them. Then, send all the photographs to the agricultural collectives with your name and the time when these photos taken. All the identification work will be done by the agricultural collectives or organizations associated. Final result will be sent to you after several days. The pitfalls will catch insects active on ground and glue traps will catch insects active in the air and on the tree. First suitable weather is required. We propose a cloudy day with changeable weather. Because during this weather, all the flying insects are active and easy captured. Then, 2 random need to be selected in orchards. Hang 2 glue traps on the branches of each tree with 1 in the north and the other in the south. In addition to that, bury 2 pitfalls in the ground near each tree with 1 under the canopy and the other out of the canopy. Poor a little water with soap in 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 with the following information: date of monitoring, start and end time, name of you and your orchard.

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

List of needed tools • 4 Glue traps • 4 Pitfalls • Camera (Smartphone) • Water and soap

9 Management Practices

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

Advices for Management

Management Provision of/Role Biodiversity target Practice

i. Allow sun exposure in the orchards ● Variety of invertebrates 1 Pruning ii. Accelerates formation of tree-cavities ● Small mammals iii. Lengthens lifespan of fruit trees

i. for different species ● Small mammals e.g. Hedgerows and mice, shrews, stoats, badgers 2 ii. Flowering parts offer food (pollen and border plants nectar) for different insect species ● Birds iii. Windbreakers ● Plants

i. Help to control stronger plant species ● Different plant species 3 Grazing from dominating the orchard ● Soil dwelling ii. Add manure in the orchard invertebrates Dead Trees and ● Insects e.g. beetles 4 Shelter for many arthropods, amphibians Branches and reptiles. ● Small mammals ● Insects Compile Wood 5 ● Small mammals and or Stone Provide microclimate (hot and cool and dry and wet) for a wide range of species ● Ferns and mosses plants

Different Species Ensure continue supply of food (nectar, ● Insects 6 and Variety of pollen and fruit) for insects, birds and other ● Birds Fruit Trees animals ● Small mammals 7 Bird Nest Breeding site for birds ● Birds

i. Habitats for a wide of aquatic ● Insects 8 Water Bodies invertebrates/animals. ● Birds Ii. Hunting site for bird, reptiles

9 Insect Hotel Shelter for insects during unfavorable ● Insects condition like winter PRUNING

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

Increasing the level of canopy openness (sun exposure) can increase species richness of small mammals and arthropods including red listed saproxylic beetles. Scientists found that Pruning accelerates the occurrence of decay tree-cavities which are important winter roost- sites for many invertebrates. However for the pruning practice to bring good effect on biodiversity it should be carried out by skilled/trained persons. For example, for pruning to help in the formation of cavities the types and number of branches to be pruned as well as the size of cuts should be considered. It is recommended to remove main branches that are radiating from the trunk of a fruit tree and pruning wounds should have a diameter of at least be larger than 10cm. Old, neglected trees fall down early, and as a result, birds lose important elements of their habitat such as hollows. Pruning is an important practice that revitalize older trees by a revitalization cut, which lengthens their lifespan and therefore increases their ecological value significantly. Moreover, Pruning is an appropriate care and maintenance measure needed for young trees to develop properly and to become a landscape-shaping element.

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.

11 HEDGEROWS AND BORDER PLANTS

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

Hedgerow growing in the orchard plays an important role in biodiversity conservation and agroecosystem functioning. Species-rich hedgerows can offer a significant habitats for invertebrates. The presence of hedgerows acts not only as effective ecological corridors, but also appropriate habitats for different species, particularly for small mammals and birds. During winter they can also offer winter cover for non-hibernator tiny mammals. The base of the hedge offers shelter for woodland mice, bank voles, shrews, stoats, badgers, hedgehogs and other mammals. Hedgerows supply alternative hosts as well as prey for natural enemies of insects in the absence of the pest. The flowering plants in the hedge are source of pollen and nectar, which is very essential for survival and reproduction of many insect species. In perennial crops, such as fruit orchards, there may be a continuous succession of floral resources available in the groundcover and the surrounding hedgerows throughout the growing season. During the period of pesticides application in the orchard, hedge rows support invertebrate predators. Hedgerows also act as windbreaks, protecting animals and trees from heavy winds. A diverse selection of flowering plant species to be used in growing the border plants or hedgerows is good for orchard biodiversity. Blackthorn, Hornbeam, Hazel, Guelder rose, Crab apple, Honeysuckle and Willow species are very suitable for growing hedgerows in an orchard.

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 12 GRAZING

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

Planned grazing in orchards is an ecological way for maintaining biodiversity and introducing extra production activities. Mostly, sheep and cows are used in traditional orchards. Grazing can help with controlling the structure and composition of ground cover. Sometimes it happens in unmanaged ground cover that some plant species especially some herbs and shrubs become dominant and other species disappear. As a result the diversity of plant species in the ground cover is reduced. However, some points really need to be considered during grazing in the orchard such as the number of animal per unit area and intensity and method of grazing. Rotational grazing and strip grazing system is better for the biodiversity in the orchard and the number of animal per unit area depends 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 some other soil dwelling invertebrates and contribute also to increase the animal biodiversity. But care should be taken to fencing your newly planted trees in the orchard to prevent damage during grazing. To manage ground cover of the orchard owner also practice mowing. But mowing whole ground cover at a time may cause lack of food and shelter.

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. 13 DEAD TREES AND BRANCHES

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

Dead fruit trees act as a good harbouring site for many insect species, especially beetles. Mainly predators and pollinators like wasps and bees take residence on dried wood. Both of them are important functional group since bees reflect floral and wasps insect and spider diversity in the traditional fruit orchard. Dead trees within the orchard increases bird density because of the many holes that can act as roosting sites and rich resources of food. Some saproxylic species of invertebrates depends on dead or decayed wood with amalgamation of wood decaying fungal species.

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.

14 COMPILE WOOD OR STONE

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!

Piles of wood or stones can make hot and dry or cool and wet microclimates for a wide range of animal species like reptiles, insects, mammals and some amphibians. They are especially significant for weasels and stoats, both large auxiliaries of the orchard since they are predators of voles. Moreover, it also creates good habitat for ferns and mosses. Lastly it is advised that piles of wood and other refugia should not be placed or created where there are already present good quality habitat. Because, there is less likely that the targeted species need to use artificial habitat sources, and thus the added value of enhancing a habitat may be lost. Moreover, the locations must be sheltered to avoid frost pockets and areas vulnerable to flooding. For orchards with freely draining soils, the material can be dug into a depression of about 0.5m deep.

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 15 GROWING DIFFERENT SPECIES AND VARIETY

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

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

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

16 NESTING BOXES FOR BIRDS

Do you know some birds build their nest upside down?

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

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.

17 WATERBODIES

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

Water bodies like small lakes or ponds act as a good habitat for a range of aquatic invertebrates. The hedge or trees on the bank of lakes support more suitable habitat for birds, bats, badgers, amphibians, reptiles and terrestrial invertebrates, particularly dragonflies and damselflies. Most of the frogs and toads are associated with water bodies during breeding, as well as nonbreeding periods of their life cycle. In addition, some mammals like shrews, moles, mice, rats, lemmings, and voles also get support from 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.

18 INSECT HOTEL

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

Insects species, as well as their natural enemies, require shelter from environmental hazard eg. cold, rain, wind, heat and pesticide environment. Accessibility of appropriate habitats enhances resting, foraging, and overwintering or nesting of insect. In addition, a wide variety of arthropods such as spiders, caterpillars, tree crickets, sawflies, weaver ants, thrips and beetles, use plant foliage to build their domiciles, on which they live for all or a part of their life cycle. However, in traditional fruit orchard of Netherlands, there is no leaves and flower in the trees during the winter season. So, there is a possibility to lose some species, especially winter sensitive species. The use of branch piles and hedge structures helps a lot, but additionally, artificial shelters can be created for them to provide them shelter within the orchards. The position of this artificial structure within the orchard is important and should be placed where it can receive maximum sunlight.

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

19 FALLEN FRUITS

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

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

Possible Strategies • Fresh fallen fruit can be collected. • Some of the fruit on the ground has to remain.

20 Friends of traditional orchards, thank you for taking your time to read this toolkit about monitoring the biodiversity in orchards and optimizing habitat quality for improving biodiversity. We hope that this document provides insight and enthusiasm towards conserving this treasure of our natural orchards for our benefits and the generations to come in the Netherlands and the world at large. Good to keep in mind that various and valuable results can only be obtained if you, we and other players are enthusiastic about this goal and participate in the conservation with great dedication.

Wish all success in your orchards !

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