FunBies, a model for integrated assessment of functional biodiversity of weed communities in agro-ecosystem

Agrobiodiversity, by producing beneficial ecosystem services (ESs), could improve the sustainability of cropping systems. There is a number of studies reporting the use of indicators for quantifying ESs. However, there are no indicators which might be applied at local scale and allowing an integrated assessment of a wide range of ESs in agro-ecosystems. The objectives of the present research were: (i) to describe a model for integrated assessment of functional biodiversity in agro-ecosystems, denominated FunBies, (ii) to show how it was validated, and (iii) to present results of its application. FunBies is featured by an empiric model component, a conceptual component that takes into account the whole range of ESs identified by the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment and by a multi-criteria linear additive model including the whole set of functional traits potentially supplied by herbaceous plant communities. The model was validated by a panel of experts. Results at cropping system level indicated that organic systems have the potential to supply considerably higher ESs than conventional systems. ES provision increases in time together with the evolution of the phytocoenosis. FunBies potential applications include: (i) design of biodiversity components within agro-ecosystems, and (ii) justification and sizing of organic payments.