Potentie van massaal bloeiende gewassen voor bestuivers: Bijdrage van massaal bloeiende gewassen aan herstel van bestuivers in agrarische landschappen

Wild pollinators are under significant pressure, especially in agricultural landscapes. Although considerable research and policy efforts have focused on measures such as flower strips and restored landscape elements, temporary interventions have proven to be only marginally effective for long-term recovery. Moreover, these measures often require taking valuable farmland out of production. An overlooked complementary approach is the use of mass-flowering crops, which, due to their large share of the landscape, can substantially increase food availability for pollinators. This exploratory study analyses the potential of perennial, annual and leguminous crops, including crops that are currently grown only to a limited extent in the Netherlands but may become more relevant due to climate and policy changes. Based on literature and field research, existing knowledge on pollinator communities and the ways in which crops can contribute to population recovery was examined. In addition, the empirical evidence for diversification methods such as strip cropping, intercropping and agroforestry was reviewed. The analysis of more than thirty crop groups shows that several crops have clear potential. Buckwheat, lupin, oilseed rape, faba bean and various clover species demonstrate positive effects on pollinator populations. Fruit crops and flowering cover crops can also play important complementary roles, although their impact varies with flowering period and pollinator group. It is recommended that further research focuses on how orchards can extend the flowering period, the effect of undersowing in maize, and the contribution of specific small crops.