The project focuses on three core research directions:

1) Understanding pollinator dynamics across landscapes
METAGROLAND investigates how AES and other landscape elements influence the colonization and persistence of pollinator communities. This allows us to identify source–sink dynamics, distinguishing landscape elements that sustain populations from those that depend on immigration. For this purpose, the probability of occurrence of pollinator species will be predicted as a function of persistence, and colonisation to specific landscape elements, incorporating detection probability (this is, accounting when species is present at a sampled site but goes undetected).
2) Mapping spatial meta-networks
METAGROLAND applies and further develops a novel methodology: spatial meta-network analysis. Instead of studying isolated local networks, we examine how plant–pollinator interactions are connected across space. This approach allows to detect landscape “hubs” where interactions thrive and that promote overall metacommunity cohesion and stability. For that, meta-networks adjency matrices will be corrected by detection probability, type of landscape elements and rarity of species, improving meta-network representation of metacommunity structure, allowing the protection of rare or endangered species.
3) Integrating farmers’ social networks
Ecological outcomes do not depend only on habitat structure, they are also shaped by human decisions. METAGROLAND assess how land managers’ social connections (social networks of collaboration, knowledge transfer and support among farmers and other stakeholders) influence the spatial distribution and effectiveness of AES. By integrating social and ecological data, this project identifies pathways to improve policy implementation.


Our Goal
METAGROLAND aims to generate new fundamental knowledge about how ecological and social processes interact in agricultural systems. Ultimately, the project seeks to:
• Improve the design of agri-environmental schemes
• Strengthen plant–pollinator networks
• Enhance biodiversity conservation in farmland
• Contribute to fair, healthy, and environmentally sound food systems