Weeds vital to existence of farmland species

Despite being widely regarded as a nuisance, weeds are actually vital to the existence of many farmland species.

Since many weeds produce flowers and seeds, they are a vital part of the farmland ecosystem and, together with other crop and non-crop seeds found on farms, they provide food for over 330 species of insects, birds and animals.

The researchers created complex “food webs” linking farmland insects, birds and mammals. These food webs were then used to identify the key seed-producing plants favoured by most animals, of which weeds were a part.