Enhancing ecosystem services in apple orchards: Nest boxes increase pest control by insectivorous birds

Ecological intensification in croplands aims to enhance biodiversity-based ecosystem services, helping increase yield while reducing agricultural environmental impacts. Identifying ecological tools of wide applicability and easily implemented by farmers is, therefore, an imperative. Here, we verify the efficiency provisioning artificial nest boxes for insectivorous birds reinforce pest biological control apple orchards. The study was conducted 24 cider-apple orchards Asturias (NW Spain) over 3 years. We compared effect between with without occupied different bird species, through insectivory estimates based on attack a sentinel measurements arthropod abundance trees. also identified preys that species captured feed nestlings. Bird occupancy widespread, ranging 25.0%–33.3% each year. Great tit dominant followed blue and, occasionally, common redstart. Predation pressure pests increased boxes, as judged proportion models attacked (34.9% 2018 41.1% 2019), decreased biomass tree-dwelling arthropods (?51.7%) reduced probability occurrence (from 57% 40%), boxes. Nesting showed predatory roles Fewer attacks but lower associated rather than great tit. Besides, fed nestlings at faster rate included their diet higher tit, which preyed mostly other herbivorous insects. Synthesis applications. demonstrated usefulness enhancing regional scale, identifying complementary predators herbivores. From farmers' perspective, providing may represent efficient, easy implement, cheap attractive measure intensification, compatible actions fostering biodiversity croplands.