Researchers have examined 86 meadows and pastures in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, and Bulgaria and compared them with nearby rapeseed fields.
They mapped plants, butterflies, wild bees, and ground beetles, four groups that are important for biodiversity.
Overall, there were significantly more plants and butterflies in meadows and pastures. But there were as many or more wild bees and ground beetles in rapeseed fields.
The composition of species also differed, with 82 species characteristic of meadows and pastures and 63 characteristic of rapeseed fields. The researchers conclude that both meadows and pastures and arable land are important for species richness.
The study has been published in Nature Communications.
