5. Synthesis and applications
Newly established grasslands can increase ant species richness,
abundance, and pest control in agroecosystems. However, three years
after establishment, new grasslands were still dominated by common
agrobiont ant species and lacked habitat specialists present in old
grasslands, who require a constant supply of food resources and long
colonization times. New grasslands represent a promising measure for
enhancing agricultural landscapes but must be preserved in the longer
term to sustain biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.