Authors: Knapp, Michal; Teder, Tiit;Lukas, Vojtěch;Štrobl, Martin;Knappová, Jana;Landis, Douglas;González, Ezequiel;

Intensively-managed temperate agricultural landscapes are dominated by large arable fields and suffer from biodiversity loss and biotic homogenisation. However, environmental conditions between neighbouring fields or even within a single arable field can still differ remarkably. In our talk, we will introduce the concept of employing arable land heterogeneity, in combination with surrounding landscape structure, as key information for landscape optimization. We propose a conceptual framework that uses yield maps (a tool commonly employed in precision agriculture) to identify low-yield zones within arable fields and ecological theory to select the best areas for setting aside from crop production. As a result, optimized landscapes will keep high production potential (crop yield) and improve biodiversity support at the same time. Strengths of the proposed concept, potential shortcomings (e.g., data availability) as well as existing knowledge gaps and future research challenges will be discussed.