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Subsidient: Christel Welles/Wageningen University
Project: S161.62

Ecosystem services are natural processes that benefit humans. Bats and birds provide these among others by foraging on pest insects in agricultural systems. Almost a quarter of all bat species and 13% of bird species are currently threatened with extinction. Studying the effects of these predators on yield loss by pest insects would contribute to both conservation of bats and birds, and to optimization of the amount of yield in agricultural systems. This project is part of a PhD project which takes place in macadamia plantations in South Africa. By using an experimental set up in early growing season, the effect of bat and bird presence on yield loss of macadamia has been tested.