Belgian Researchers Create Butterfly Haven with Farming Technique

Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and UCLouvain transformed a two-hectare plot of land in Herne, Belgium into a haven for butterflies and moths. Fifteen years ago, the biologists created “De Wildernis,” a diverse landscape featuring fruit trees, shrubs, grasslands, and ponds, employing a technique called agriwilding.

Agriwilding combines food production with nature development by prioritizing perennial crops and minimizing soil disturbance, fostering a richer ecosystem. The researchers compared butterfly populations at De Wildernis with those on traditional farms in the region.

Their findings revealed up to six times more day and night butterflies at De Wildernis, alongside a greater diversity of species, 30 of the 39 regional day butterfly species were observed. While not suitable for all crops like annuals such as cauliflower, the researchers believe wider adoption of agriwilding could significantly boost biodiversity in the Flemish Region.