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In Spain, agriculture is a key activity in the management of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity and the environment. However, according to the Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA), in recent decades there have been significant declines in the populations of wild species in our agricultural areas, particularly pollinators and birds. The maintenance of biodiversity in these environments is especially important due to the multiple services it provides such as; pollination, biological control or the mobilization of nutrients.

That is why, according to the entity, the implementation of landscape elements that provide heterogeneity is presented as a way to promote suitable habitats for wild fauna and flora and maintain the provision of the necessary services for agricultural activity. This project has sought to advance in the knowledge of the use of multifunctional margins as tools for the promotion of biodiversity in agricultural systems.

The main objective of the project has been to identify and assess the different mixtures of plant species to be installed on the margins, islands of vegetation, multifunctional corridors according to their impact on biodiversity and as well as to define management criteria for them.

The specific objectives were as follows:

• Obtain existing information related to the field of study.
• To analyse and assess the different mixtures of plant species in the pollinating insect population.
• To analyse and assess the different mixtures of plant species with respect to the interaction with the bird population.
• To analyse the implementation of multifunctional margins from an agronomic approach.

• Bibliographic review of species to be implemented from the ornithological, entomological and agronomic point of view.
• Choice of species to be implemented and determination of trials where different mixtures of plants, seasons and planting systems are combined.
• Choice of the areas where to carry out the experiments, considering different climatic and productive conditions.
• Training sessions for territorial technicians.
• Choice of farms that are going to collaborate and signing of collaboration agreements with farmers.
• Implementation of biodiversity margins.
• Monitoring of the interaction of the tested margins with the insect population.
• Monitoring of the interaction of margins with the bird population.
• Agronomic monitoring of margins and their interaction with commercial plantings.
• Analysis of results and dissemination of the project.

The Margins for Biodiversity project has sought to identify and assess the different mixtures of plant species to be installed on the margins, islands of vegetation, multifunctional corridors according to their impact on biodiversity and to define management criteria for them.

After two years of work, it has been possible to conclude that through the planting of floral margins in agricultural fields , their biodiversity is significantly increased. After carrying out the initiative, it is concluded that it is possible to reconcile conservation and production, allowing a balance between the commitment of the agricultural sector to society to provide sufficient and quality food and improve environmental sustainability through the increase of biodiversity.

During its implementation, the project has shown detailed information to farmers so that they can select different species to make up their biodiversity margins depending on the type of crop they have. In addition, precise recommendations have been provided that will help the agricultural sector to increase the success in the implementation of floral margins.

In addition, the project has drawn conclusions and recommendations that are useful at a time of change in the common agricultural policy that are useful for administrations and the agricultural sector in order to be able to face the improvement of biodiversity in Spanish countryside with greater security

The main results achieved are as follows:

• The pollinators present on the margins multiply between 13 and 18 times compared to a cereal crop.
• Auxiliary insects increase by 5.5 compared to cereal crops.
• The presence of pests is reduced at the margins compared to cereal crops.
• Up to 458 species of pollinators and 174 of auxiliaries have been identified on the margins for biodiversity.

Of that total, there are 12 wild bees and 2 species of butterflies protected and included in the IUCN Network, in addition to 16 Iberian endemic species.

According to the results provided by the entity, the choice of plant species is essential to achieve, on the one hand, the right habitat for insects, but also to ensure the productivity of agricultural farms, not interfering with it and, if possible, attract auxiliary insects that can become allies against pests.

Finally, it is also concluded that the biodiversity of the margins versus margins affected by severe attacks of annual grass weeds is 10 times higher in pollinator species and 5 times higher in auxiliary insect species.