The role of weeds in supporting biological diversity within crop fields*

Summary Weeds are major constraints on crop production, yet as part of the primary producers within farming systems, they may be important components of the agroecosystem. Using published literature, the role of weeds in arable systems for other above‐ground trophic levels are examined. In the UK, there is evidence that weed flora have changed over the past century, with some species declining in abundance, whereas others have increased. There is also some evidence for a decline in the size of arable weed seedbanks. Some of these changes reflect improved agricultural efficiency, changes to more winter‐sown crops in arable rotations and the use of more broad‐spectrum herbicide combinations. Interrogation of a…

• DF
  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government