It is a really interesting study that is being developed in Spain with the CoverOlive project and which will soon be imitated by a similar study in Italy with theAIPO, Interregional Association of Olive Producers.
The study brings together the presence of birds in olive groves with vegetal ground covers and their positive influence in fighting parasites and insects, starting with the olive fly. In short, an innovative way to combat the main enemy of olive growers based on volatile fauna.
The tools put in place
The tools put in place allow you to analyze the evolution of plant covers, the study of birds present in the olive grove with herbaceous cover, the detailed use that these birds make of plant covers e the analysis of the insects present through the collection of pitfall traps, which present themselves as indicators to examine the complex system of these agroecosystems.
The tests are taking place in selected experimental plots of partner farmers located in the areas of Cordoba and Granada, in the heart of Andalusia, both with traditional olive grove production. Among the preliminary activities the identification of different mixtures of native herbaceous species in the Andalusian olive grove to see what kind of ecosystem services they can provide as plant cover in olive groves. At the same time, it is being studied the use that the olive grove bird species make of the herbaceous cover carried out, with censuses at sampling points and observation stations to determine exactly the approach of these birds to those vegetative covers. Furthermore, in this initiative, the researchers explain, “several insect traps have been placed, the analysis of which will be carried out by the University of Jaén, focusing on ants”. A study dedicated to the pollinators that use the different covers selected for the olive grove is also underway.
The comparative study between birds and insects
The comparative study of birds and insects will allow estimates “the benefits that their presence in the olive grove brings”. Among the most common species detected in the censuses are the serin, finch or goldfinch and, in smaller numbers, insectivorous species such asnightingale or the titmouse.
Researchers have already highlighted that “in olive groves with herbaceous cover, a greater number of bird species are observed compared to bare olive groves without cover”. Moreover “it has been proven that where there is greater herbaceous cover, erosion is much less, which is why it is advantageous for both the soil and the farmer. Furthermore, it offers other advantages such as fertilization through organic matter and the ability of the soil to better resist pests or diseases that may appear.” Therefore, “if we have a herbaceous cover, in which there are a greater number of insects and birds, these help to control the species that represent threats such as the olive fly or some fungi that can affect the olive tree”, the researchers concluded.
