Wildflower strips support birds and ground-dwelling arthropods during winter period regardless of mowing regime

Agri-environmental schemes, such as wildflower strips (WFS), can help to mitigate biodiversity loss caused by agricultural intensification. WFSs can provide benefits like soil protection and biodiversity support, particularly during winter when they can offer crucial shelter for multiple species in agricultural landscapes. However, WFS winter performance and the impacts of management activities, e.g., autumn mowing of WFS or soil tillage in surrounding arable fields, are poorly understood. This study explores how ground-dwelling arthropods and resident birds utilise WFSs and surrounding arable land during winter while evaluating the effects of different management practices. We investigated ten arable fields, either tilled or planted with winter crops, and adjacent WFSs split into mown and unmown sections. WFSs significantly increased arthropod activity-density, species richness, and the number of recorded birds. Carabids and rove beetles were primarily concentrated at the edge of WFSs, while spiders and myriapods were more abundant in the wildflower strips' interiors. Autumn mowing had no effects on the studied taxa. In contrast, soil tillage in arable fields negatively impacted carabids, spiders, and myriapods but positively affected rove beetles. Our findings highlight that maintaining WFSs promotes beneficial arthropods and birds, underscoring their role as valuable conservation tools in agricultural policy frameworks. Additionally, avoiding tillage during late autumn and winter can complement WFSs by creating a favourable environment for overwintering multiple beneficial taxa directly on arable land. • Agricultural intensification has led to significant biodiversity declines • Wildflower strips (WFS) supported ground-dwelling arthropods during winter • WFS autumn mowing had no effects on arthropods and birds during winter • Autumn tillage within arable fields reduced carabids, spiders, and myriapods