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Sanchez JA, de Pedro L, López-Gallego E, Pérez-Marcos M, Ramírez-Soria MJ, Perera-Fernández LG, Atenza JF. How plant composition in margins influences the assemblage of pests and predators and its effect on biocontrol in melon fields. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13094. [PMID: 38849533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Many agricultural landscapes offer few resources for maintaining natural enemy populations and floral plantings have frequently been adopted to enhance biological pest control in crops. However, restored margins may harbour both pests and natural enemies. The aim was to compare the abundance of pests and natural enemies in three types of margins (unmanaged, sown herbaceous floral strips and shrubby hedgerows) as well as in adjacent melon fields. Besides, yield was compared among melon fields as way of testing the effect of the type of margin on biocontrol. The research was carried out during 2 years in twelve melon fields from four different locations in southern Spain. Arthropods were sampled periodically in margins and melon fields by visual inspections and Berlese extraction. Hedgerow and floral strips hosted higher numbers of both pests and predators than unmanaged margins. Besides, hedgerows had a similar or higher number of natural enemies than floral strips but lower number of pests. In just a few occasions, the type of margin had a significant effect on the abundance of pests and natural enemies in melon fields, but rarely there was consistency between the two growing seasons. No differences were found in yield. We hypothesised that the lack of association in the abundances of pests and natural enemies between margins and melon fields could be attributed to the overriding effects of the landscape and/or the internal population dynamics of arthropods in melon fields. Overall, shrubby hedgerows are more recommended than herbaceous floral strips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Sanchez
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Luis de Pedro
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena López-Gallego
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Pérez-Marcos
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - María José Ramírez-Soria
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Luis Gabriel Perera-Fernández
- Biological Control and Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín F Atenza
- GIS and Remote Sensing, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Medioambiental, C/Mayor S/N, 30150, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
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Velado-Alonso E, Kleijn D, Bartomeus I. Reassessing science communication for effective farmland biodiversity conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:537-547. [PMID: 38395670 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Integrating biodiversity conservation into agriculture is a pressing challenge promoted by conservationists. Although biodiversity can also provide important benefits to farmers, the adoption of biodiversity-enhancing measures is lagging behind the scientific evidence. This may partially be related to the way scientists position themselves. If scientists do not convincingly communicate about the implications of their evidence, other interested stakeholders will drive the conversations. To increase societal impact, scientists must understand the complex communication environment and take an informed and strategic position. We describe the prevailing conservation and farming narratives, highlighting how the term 'biodiversity' can be used to start dialogues between parties with conflicting demands and exemplifying how scientists can build effective narratives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Velado-Alonso
- Ecology and Evolution Department, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain; Functional Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology Group, Department of Crop Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Ecology and Evolution Department, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
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3
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McCravy KW, Clem CS, Bailey JB, Elgar SA, Blaauw BR. Hover fly (Diptera: Syrphidae) diversity and seasonality in North Georgia apple and peach orchards. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2024:toae103. [PMID: 38779977 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Crop pollination and natural biological control provided by beneficial insects have an economic worth of hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Apple and peach production in North Georgia are economically important industries that benefit from these ecological services. Hover flies are dual ecosystem service providers that have been relatively understudied in orchard ecosystems. We investigated the diversity and seasonal activity of hover flies in apple and peach orchards at 2 sites in North Georgia from March to October 2020 and 2021. Bowl traps were used to sample hover flies in orchard edge and interior habitats. The aphidophagous species Toxomerus geminatus (Say) (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Toxomerus marginatus (Say) (Diptera: Syrphidae) comprised 86.6% of the total hover flies collected. Apple orchards yielded the greatest hover fly presence, species richness, and Toxomerus spp. abundance. Hover fly richness and diversity were greatest during postbloom, but Toxomerus spp. abundance was greatest during the bloom period. No differences in presence, richness, diversity, or Toxomerus spp. abundance were found between edge and interior habitats. Toxomerus geminatus and T. marginatus were dominant from March through August, with T. geminatus being more abundant than T. marginatus in March, early April, and August. October sampling produced the greatest hover fly richness. Our results suggest that hover flies are abundant in North Georgia orchards and exhibit substantial spatial and temporal variation in richness and diversity. Expanded studies incorporating additional sampling efforts and methods are needed to further characterize the hover fly fauna and their impact on North Georgia apple and peach orchards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W McCravy
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, USA
| | - C Scott Clem
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jordan B Bailey
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Sabrina A Elgar
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brett R Blaauw
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Sulg S, Kovács G, Willow J, Kaasik R, Smagghe G, Lövei GL, Veromann E. Spatiotemporal distancing of crops reduces pest pressure while maintaining conservation biocontrol in oilseed rape. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2250-2259. [PMID: 36715695 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agricultural landscapes provide resources for arthropod pests as well as their natural enemies. To develop integrated pest management (IPM) practices, it is important to understand how spatiotemporal location influences crop colonization and damage severity. We performed a 3-year (2016-2018) field experiment in winter oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) fields in Estonia, where half of the fields were within 500 m of the location of the previous year's winter OSR field and half were outside this zone. We investigated how distance from the previous year's OSR crop influences the infestation and parasitism rates of two of its most important pests: the pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) and the cabbage seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus). RESULTS When the distance from the previous year's OSR crop was >500 m, we recorded significantly reduced pest pressure by both B. aeneus and C. obstrictus in the study fields. Biocontrol of both pests, provided by parasitic wasps, was high in each study year and commonly not affected by distance. Mean parasitism rates of B. aeneus were >31%, occasionally reaching >70%; for C. obstrictus, mean parasitism was >46%, reaching up to 79%, thereby providing effective biocontrol for both pest species. CONCLUSION Spatiotemporal separation of OSR fields can reduce pest pressure without resulting in reduced parasitism of OSR pests. This supports a spatiotemporal field separation concept as an effective and sustainable technique for IPM in OSR. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silva Sulg
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gabriella Kovács
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jonathan Willow
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riina Kaasik
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gabor L Lövei
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark
- ELKH-DE Anthropocene Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Zoology & Ecology, Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Godollo, Hungary
| | - Eve Veromann
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
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Pigot J, Gardarin A, Doré T, Morisseau A, Valantin-Morison M. Unlike woodland edges, flower strips do not act as a refuge for cabbage stem flea beetle aestivation. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2325-2332. [PMID: 37198746 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semi-natural habitats are generally considered to be beneficial to natural enemies of crop pests and pollinators. However, they could also be used by pests, such as the Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB), Psylliodes chrysocephala, a major pest of winter oilseed rape, Brassica napus. Adults emerge from pupation in late spring and move to aestivation habitats. Published reports identify forest edges as the major shelter used, but flower strips may also constitute an alternative habitat. This study aimed to: (i) determine the role of perennial flower strips in CSFB aestivation in comparison with woodland edges; (ii) determine the influence of landscape composition on the abundance of aestivating CSFB and (iii) identify the characteristics of the local habitat associated with a high abundance of aestivating CSFB. RESULTS CSFB emergence from aestivation was monitored with emergence traps from mid-August to mid-October 2021, at 14 sites in France. We found that CSFB preferred woodland edges and did not aestivate in flower strips. We found a negative effect of percentage woodland cover only for the smallest scale studied (250 m radius). We also found positive effects of the percentage of litter and mean tree circumference on the number of aestivating CSFB in woodland edges. CONCLUSION The aestivation of CSFB is supported by woodland edges, but not by flower strips. This implies that the presence of flower strips near oilseed rape fields does not exacerbate the problems due to this pest. However, the crops in the vicinity of woodlands could be colonized earlier by this pest than more distant fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Pigot
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Palaiseau, France
| | - Antoine Gardarin
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Palaiseau, France
| | - Thierry Doré
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Palaiseau, France
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Burian A, Kremen C, Wu JST, Beckmann M, Bulling M, Garibaldi LA, Krisztin T, Mehrabi Z, Ramankutty N, Seppelt R. Biodiversity-production feedback effects lead to intensification traps in agricultural landscapes. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:752-760. [PMID: 38448509 PMCID: PMC11009109 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02349-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Intensive agriculture with high reliance on pesticides and fertilizers constitutes a major strategy for 'feeding the world'. However, such conventional intensification is linked to diminishing returns and can result in 'intensification traps'-production declines triggered by the negative feedback of biodiversity loss at high input levels. Here we developed a novel framework that accounts for biodiversity feedback on crop yields to evaluate the risk and magnitude of intensification traps. Simulations grounded in systematic literature reviews showed that intensification traps emerge in most landscape types, but to a lesser extent in major cereal production systems. Furthermore, small reductions in maximal production (5-10%) could be frequently transmitted into substantial biodiversity gains, resulting in small-loss large-gain trade-offs prevailing across landscape types. However, sensitivity analyses revealed a strong context dependence of trap emergence, inducing substantial uncertainty in the identification of optimal management at the field scale. Hence, we recommend the development of case-specific safety margins for intensification preventing double losses in biodiversity and food security associated with intensification traps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Burian
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
- Marine Ecology Department, Lurio University, Nampula, Mozambique.
| | - Claire Kremen
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Biodiversity Research Centre and IBioS Collaboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James Shyan-Tau Wu
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Beckmann
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mark Bulling
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Viedma, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Viedma, Argentina
| | - Tamás Krisztin
- Integrated Biosphere Futures, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Zia Mehrabi
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Navin Ramankutty
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ralf Seppelt
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Geoscience and Geography, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Gagnon AÈ, Fortier AM, Audette C. Biological Control and Habitat Management for the Control of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Onion Production in Quebec, Canada. INSECTS 2024; 15:232. [PMID: 38667362 PMCID: PMC11050518 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) can pose a significant threat to onion crops, causing leaf damage, reduced bulb size and quality, and yield loss during severe infestations. Conventional insecticide use has been the primary method for managing this pest species, but the efficacy of this approach is inconsistent. Furthermore, emerging pest resistance is a growing concern in some regions. This two-year field study aimed to assess the effectiveness of several pest management strategies in controlling onion thrips populations and limiting their impact on onion yields. The strategies tested consisted of habitat manipulations (including flower strips and straw mulch), biological control agents (Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Amblyseius swirskii, and Beauveria bassiana), as well as physical barrier control methods (exclusion nets, kaolin, and mineral oil). Habitat manipulation techniques, particularly the use of flower strips, reduced thrips populations by up to 50% and increased onion yields by 25%. In contrast, exclusion nets had a detrimental effect on onion yields, and the other alternative control methods produced results comparable to those obtained for untreated controls. When used alone, biological control agents were not effective at maintaining thrips populations below economically damaging levels. This study offers valuable insights into effective and sustainable pest management practices for the onion industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie-Ève Gagnon
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Gouin Boulevard, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 3E6, Canada;
| | - Anne-Marie Fortier
- Compagnie de Recherche Phytodata Inc., 291 Rue de la Coopérative, Sherrington, QC J0L 2N0, Canada;
| | - Carolane Audette
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Gouin Boulevard, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 3E6, Canada;
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Williams NM, Buderi A, Rowe L, Ward K. Wildflower plantings enhance nesting opportunities for soil-nesting bees. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e2935. [PMID: 38071699 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Ongoing declines of bees and other pollinators are driven in part by the loss of critical floral resources and nesting substrates. Most conservation/restoration efforts for bees aim to enhance floral abundance and continuity but often assume the same actions will bolster nesting opportunities. Recent research suggests that habitat plantings may not always provide both forage and nesting resources. We evaluated wildflower plantings designed to augment floral resources to determine their ability to enhance nesting by soil-nesting bees over 3 study years in Northern California agricultural landscapes. We established wildflower plantings along borders of annual row crops and paired each with an unplanted control border. We used soil emergence traps to assess nest densities and species richness of soil-nesting bees from spring through late summer at paired field borders planted with wildflowers or maintained conventionally as bare or sparsely vegetated areas, as is typical for the region. We also quantified soil-surface characteristics and flower resources among borders. Wildflower plantings significantly increased nest densities and the richness of bee species using them. Such benefits occurred within the first year of planting and persisted up to 4 years post establishment. The composition of nesting bee communities also differed between wildflower and unenhanced borders. Wildflower plantings differed from controls in multiple characteristics of the soil surface, including vegetation cover, surface microtopography and hardness. Surprisingly, only vegetation cover significantly affected nest densities and species richness. Wildflower plantings are a widespread habitat action with the potential to support wild bees. The demonstrated benefit wildflower plantings had for increasing the nesting of soil-nesting bees greatly augments their relevance for the conservation of wild bee communities in agricultural and other landscapes. Identifying soil-surface characteristics that are important for nesting provides critical information to guide the implementation and management of habitats for bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal M Williams
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Andrew Buderi
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Logan Rowe
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kimiora Ward
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Priyadarshana TS, Martin EA, Sirami C, Woodcock BA, Goodale E, Martínez-Núñez C, Lee MB, Pagani-Núñez E, Raderschall CA, Brotons L, Rege A, Ouin A, Tscharntke T, Slade EM. Crop and landscape heterogeneity increase biodiversity in agricultural landscapes: A global review and meta-analysis. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14412. [PMID: 38549269 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural intensification not only increases food production but also drives widespread biodiversity decline. Increasing landscape heterogeneity has been suggested to increase biodiversity across habitats, while increasing crop heterogeneity may support biodiversity within agroecosystems. These spatial heterogeneity effects can be partitioned into compositional (land-cover type diversity) and configurational heterogeneity (land-cover type arrangement), measured either for the crop mosaic or across the landscape for both crops and semi-natural habitats. However, studies have reported mixed responses of biodiversity to increases in these heterogeneity components across taxa and contexts. Our meta-analysis covering 6397 fields across 122 studies conducted in Asia, Europe, North and South America reveals consistently positive effects of crop and landscape heterogeneity, as well as compositional and configurational heterogeneity for plant, invertebrate, vertebrate, pollinator and predator biodiversity. Vertebrates and plants benefit more from landscape heterogeneity, while invertebrates derive similar benefits from both crop and landscape heterogeneity. Pollinators benefit more from configurational heterogeneity, but predators favour compositional heterogeneity. These positive effects are consistent for invertebrates and vertebrates in both tropical/subtropical and temperate agroecosystems, and in annual and perennial cropping systems, and at small to large spatial scales. Our results suggest that promoting increased landscape heterogeneity by diversifying crops and semi-natural habitats, as suggested in the current UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is key for restoring biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharaka S Priyadarshana
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Emily A Martin
- Animal Ecology, Institute of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Clélia Sirami
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, UMR Dynafor, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Ben A Woodcock
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Eben Goodale
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Carlos Martínez-Núñez
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Estación Biológica de Doñana EBD (CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Myung-Bok Lee
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Emilio Pagani-Núñez
- Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science, School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Chloé A Raderschall
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | | | - Anushka Rege
- Centre for Nature-Based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Annie Ouin
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, UMR Dynafor, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Department of Agroecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
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Marja R, Albrecht M, Herzog F, Öckinger E, Segre H, Kleijn D, Batáry P. Quantifying potential trade-offs and win-wins between arthropod diversity and yield on cropland under agri-environment schemes-A meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120277. [PMID: 38325288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
In Europe, agri-environment schemes (AES) are a key instrument to combat the ongoing decline of farmland biodiversity. AES aim is to support biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services, such as pollination or pest control. To what extent AES affect crop yield is still poorly understood. We performed a systematic review, including hierarchical meta-analyses, to investigate potential trade-offs and win-wins between the effectiveness of AES for arthropod diversity and agricultural yield on European croplands. Altogether, we found 26 studies with a total of 125 data points that fulfilled our study inclusion criteria. From each study, we extracted data on biodiversity (arthropod species richness and abundance) and yield for fields with AES management and control fields without AES. The majority of the studies reported significantly higher species richness and abundance of arthropods (especially wild pollinators) in fields with AES (31 % increase), but yields were at the same time significantly lower on fields with AES compared to control fields (21 % decrease). Aside from the opportunity costs, AES that promote out-of-production elements (e.g. wildflower strips), supported biodiversity (29-32 % increase) without significantly compromising yield (2-5 % increase). Farmers can get an even higher yield in these situations than in current conventional agricultural production systems without AES. Thus, our study is useful to identify AES demonstrating benefits for arthropod biodiversity with negligible or relatively low costs regarding yield losses. Further optimization of the design and management of AES is needed to improve their effectiveness in promoting both biodiversity and minimizing crop yield losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riho Marja
- "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary.
| | | | - Felix Herzog
- Agroscope, Agricultural Landscapes and Biodiversity, Switzerland
| | - Erik Öckinger
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hila Segre
- Department of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Volcani Center, Rishon Le'Zion, Israel; Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Péter Batáry
- "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
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Harman RR, Kim TN. Differentiating spillover: an examination of cross-habitat movement in ecology spillover in ecology. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232707. [PMID: 38351801 PMCID: PMC10865012 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms that immigrate into a recipient habitat generate a movement pattern that affects local population dynamics and the environment. Spillover is the pattern of unidirectional movement from a donor habitat to a different, adjacent recipient habitat. However, ecological definitions are often generalized to include any cross-habitat movement, which limits within- and cross-discipline collaboration. To assess spillover nomenclature, we reviewed 337 studies within the agriculture, disease, fisheries and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Each study's definition of spillover and the methods used were analysed. We identified four descriptors (movement, habitat type and arrangement, and effect) used that differentiate spillover from other cross-habitat movement patterns (dispersal, foray loops and edge movement). Studies often define spillover as movement (45%) but rarely measure it as such (4%), particularly in disease and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Consequently, 98% of studies could not distinguish linear from returning movement out of a donor habitat, which can overestimate movement distance. Overall, few studies (12%) included methods that matched their own definition, revealing a distinct mismatch. Because theory shows that long-term impacts of the different movement patterns can vary, differentiating spillover from other movement patterns is necessary for effective long-term and inter-disciplinary management of organisms that use heterogeneous landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Harman
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tania N. Kim
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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12
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Bürgler M, Hussain RI, Maas B, Walcher R, Rabl D, Krautzer B, Moser D, Frank T. New grasslands promote pollination but not biological pest control in nearby arable fields in the short term. ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS 2024; 18:327-338. [PMID: 38510828 PMCID: PMC10948462 DOI: 10.1007/s11829-023-10034-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural intensification is a major threat to farmland biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Semi-natural habitats are integral to the preservation of farmland biodiversity and ecosystem services, however, the extent in which they contribute to specific services is largely unclear. We studied predation rates of ground-dwelling predatory arthropods, and pollination success within old permanent grasslands, newly established grasslands and arable fields near and far from new grasslands. We evaluated whether grassland restoration can enhance pollination and biological control in crop fields. For this purpose, we established new grassland strips within cereal fields, which directly bordered existing permanent grasslands. We evaluated if the distance to these old and new grasslands affects the delivery of the two ecosystem services within crop fields. We found significantly higher seed numbers and seed weight in sentinel plants placed in old grasslands, new grasslands and nearby arable fields compared to distant arable fields. We also found significantly decreasing seed numbers and seed weight in sentinel plants placed in distant arable fields with increasing distance from old grasslands, while pollination success was not affected by distance in nearby arable fields. Contrary, we did not find any significant effects of new grasslands on biological control. Our study showed that 3 years after establishing grasslands arable fields benefited from the proximity of flower-rich new grasslands through increased pollination success though not regarding biological control. This indicates that, on a short term, establishing new grasslands can support beneficial arthropods in providing ecosystem services such as pollination. Predators, in contrast, might take longer to establish effective populations that denote higher predation rates. Our study provides a baseline for future long-term studies to better evaluate pollination and pest control patterns within arable fields. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11829-023-10034-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Bürgler
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raja Imran Hussain
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Bea Maas
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ronnie Walcher
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Rabl
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Krautzer
- Institute for Plant Production and Cultural Landscape, Department for Ecological Restoration, Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Altirdning 11, 8952 Irdning-Donnersbachtal, Austria
| | - Dietmar Moser
- Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research (DIBB), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
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13
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Boetzl FA, Sponsler D, Albrecht M, Batáry P, Birkhofer K, Knapp M, Krauss J, Maas B, Martin EA, Sirami C, Sutter L, Bertrand C, Baillod AB, Bota G, Bretagnolle V, Brotons L, Frank T, Fusser M, Giralt D, González E, Hof AR, Luka H, Marrec R, Nash MA, Ng K, Plantegenest M, Poulin B, Siriwardena GM, Tscharntke T, Tschumi M, Vialatte A, Van Vooren L, Zubair-Anjum M, Entling MH, Steffan-Dewenter I, Schirmel J. Distance functions of carabids in crop fields depend on functional traits, crop type and adjacent habitat: a synthesis. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232383. [PMID: 38196355 PMCID: PMC10777163 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural pest and weed regulation are essential for agricultural production, but the spatial distribution of natural enemies within crop fields and its drivers are mostly unknown. Using 28 datasets comprising 1204 study sites across eight Western and Central European countries, we performed a quantitative synthesis of carabid richness, activity densities and functional traits in relation to field edges (i.e. distance functions). We show that distance functions of carabids strongly depend on carabid functional traits, crop type and, to a lesser extent, adjacent non-crop habitats. Richness of both carnivores and granivores, and activity densities of small and granivorous species decreased towards field interiors, whereas the densities of large species increased. We found strong distance decays in maize and vegetables whereas richness and densities remained more stable in cereals, oilseed crops and legumes. We conclude that carabid assemblages in agricultural landscapes are driven by the complex interplay of crop types, adjacent non-crop habitats and further landscape parameters with great potential for targeted agroecological management. In particular, our synthesis indicates that a higher edge-interior ratio can counter the distance decay of carabid richness per field and thus likely benefits natural pest and weed regulation, hence contributing to agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A. Boetzl
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Douglas Sponsler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland
| | - Péter Batáry
- ‘Lendület’ Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, 2163 Vácrátót, Alkotmány út 2-4, Hungary
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus 03046, Germany
| | - Michal Knapp
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha-Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jochen Krauss
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Bea Maas
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Division of Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emily A. Martin
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Clélia Sirami
- UMR Dynafor, INRAE, Toulouse University, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Louis Sutter
- Plant-Production Systems, Agroscope, Route des Eterpys 18, 1964 Conthey, Switzerland
| | - Colette Bertrand
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR EcoSys, 91120 Palaiseau, France
- INRAE, Institut Agro, ESA, UMR BAGAP, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Aliette Bosem Baillod
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, Postfach, Frick 5070, Switzerland
| | - Gerard Bota
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- CEBC, UMR 7372, CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
- LTSER ‘Zone Atelier Plaine & Val de Sèvre’, CNRS, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Lluís Brotons
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
- CSIC, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1180, Austria
| | - Moritz Fusser
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
| | - David Giralt
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
| | - Ezequiel González
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha-Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Av. Velez Sarsfield 1611, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anouschka R. Hof
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henryk Luka
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, Postfach, Frick 5070, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Marrec
- Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR CNRS 7058), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Michael A. Nash
- Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution, School of Life Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Katherina Ng
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Brigitte Poulin
- Tour du Valat Research Institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France
| | | | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tschumi
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Aude Vialatte
- UMR Dynafor, INRAE, Toulouse University, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Laura Van Vooren
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Forest and Water Management, Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Muhammad Zubair-Anjum
- Department of Zoology & Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Martin H. Entling
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Jens Schirmel
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
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14
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Ferrante M, Schulze M, Westphal C. Hedgerows can increase predation rates in wheat fields in homogeneous agricultural landscapes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 349:119498. [PMID: 37944322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In agricultural landscapes, semi-natural habitats can support populations of beneficial species, such as natural enemies. Using artificial caterpillars made of plasticine, we compared arthropod and vertebrate predation rates in wheat fields adjacent to hedgerows or spontaneous grass margins in two contrasting agricultural landscapes. Overall, 25.3% of the caterpillars were attacked after 24 h, mainly by arthropods (67.1%). Predation rates in the heterogeneous and homogeneous landscapes were similar (mean ± SE; 24.9% ± 3.0% vs 25.7% ± 3.6%, n = 10 per landscape). However, we found a significant interaction between the margin and landscape type. Total (arthropods + vertebrates) predation rates were significantly higher in wheat fields next to hedgerows than in conventional wheat fields with grass margins in the homogeneous landscape (33.7% ± 4.5% vs 17.7% ± 2.5%, n = 5 per margin type and landscape), while no difference between predation rates in the two margin types was detected in the heterogeneous landscape. Total and vertebrate predation rates were positively affected by plant species richness, which suggest that one of the mechanisms through which hedgerows can support higher predator activity than spontaneous grass margins, particularly in homogeneous agricultural landscapes, is by providing higher plant diversity. Our results suggest that in simple landscapes, hedgerows may act as habitat islands of high conservation value for biodiversity, having a disproportionate value compared to hedgerows in landscapes that include forest fragments and other semi-natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ferrante
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Marlene Schulze
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Catrin Westphal
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany; Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Vilumets S, Kaasik R, Lof M, Kovács G, Holland J, Veromann E. Landscape complexity effects on Brassicogethes aeneus abundance and larval parasitism rate: a two-year field study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22373. [PMID: 38104176 PMCID: PMC10725428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49690-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Global biodiversity has suffered a decline primarily attributed to landscape simplification and intensified agricultural practices. Agricultural environments, characterized by homogeneity and frequent disturbances, are often suboptimal habitats for various insect species. While agricultural fields do favour pests, they generally fail to provide suitable habitats for natural enemies. The inclusion of diverse supporting habitats, such as semi-natural habitats, grassy and woody field margins etc. surrounding agricultural fields, play a crucial role in fostering effective biodiversity conservation. Moreover, determining the influence of different adjacent habitat types is essential in elucidating their influence on pest abundance and parasitism rates. Our two-year field study focused on assessing the abundance of Brassicogethes aeneus and its parasitism rate. The findings revealed that the adjacent habitat type did not significantly increase pest abundance and the parasitism rate of B. aeneus larvae consistently stayed over the threshold for effective biological control throughout the fields. This was attributed to the high proportion (35 and 38% in the 2 study years) of semi-natural habitats within most of the 1 km radius study areas. While our study did not identify any specific adjacent habitat type or habitat within a 1 km radius that directly impacted B. aeneus abundance, it emphasises the intricate interplay between the pests, parasitism and the surrounding environment because the interactive effect of distance from the crop edge and habitat type had a significant influence on B. aeneus infestation levels but not on parasitism. Decision tree analysis suggests that > 18% semi-natural habitat is needed to ensure sufficient levels of parasitism for effective biological control. A comprehensive understanding of habitats that influence not only B. aeneus but also other pests is critical for the successful implementation of IPM strategies and conservation initiatives within the agricultural sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silva Vilumets
- Plant Health Chair, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51006, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Riina Kaasik
- Plant Health Chair, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marjolein Lof
- Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6708PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriella Kovács
- Plant Health Chair, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - John Holland
- Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EF, UK
| | - Eve Veromann
- Plant Health Chair, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
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16
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Judt C, Korányi D, Zaller JG, Batáry P. Floral resources and ground covers promote natural enemies but not pest insects in apple orchards: A global meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166139. [PMID: 37567308 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, agricultural intensification has led to a loss of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services such as natural pest control. Conservation biological control addresses this problem by generally extensifying farming and/or providing alternative habitats and food sources for natural enemies of pest species. However, farmers implement conservation biological control sparingly, in part because of the confusing variety of measures with inconsistent effects. To shed some light on the effectiveness of conservation biological control measures in apple production, we conducted four meta-analyses to identify patterns of local measures on (i) insect pest abundance, (ii) natural enemy abundance, (iii) biological control, and (iv) fruit quality. Across the 54 studies, we found an overall significant, positive effect of local interventions on natural enemy abundance. Among our established intervention categories (flowers, ground cover, extensification), ground covers promoted natural enemies the most and tended to reduce pest insects. Likewise, providing flowers promoted natural enemies without affecting fruit quality. In contrast, extensification of orchard management alone, such as reducing agrochemical use and/or less disturbance, had no significant effect on the abundance of natural enemies, but showed a tendency to increase populations of pest insects and reduce fruit quality. Our results demonstrate that more floral resources and ground covers in apple orchards can reduce pesticide use while maintaining fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Judt
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Zoology, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dávid Korányi
- "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Johann G Zaller
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Zoology, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Péter Batáry
- "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
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Ramos Aguila LC, Li X, Akutse KS, Bamisile BS, Sánchez Moreano JP, Lie Z, Liu J. Host-Parasitoid Phenology, Distribution, and Biological Control under Climate Change. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2290. [PMID: 38137891 PMCID: PMC10744521 DOI: 10.3390/life13122290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change raises a serious threat to global entomofauna-the foundation of many ecosystems-by threatening species preservation and the ecosystem services they provide. Already, changes in climate-warming-are causing (i) sharp phenological mismatches among host-parasitoid systems by reducing the window of host susceptibility, leading to early emergence of either the host or its associated parasitoid and affecting mismatched species' fitness and abundance; (ii) shifting arthropods' expansion range towards higher altitudes, and therefore migratory pest infestations are more likely; and (iii) reducing biological control effectiveness by natural enemies, leading to potential pest outbreaks. Here, we provided an overview of the warming consequences on biodiversity and functionality of agroecosystems, highlighting the vital role that phenology plays in ecology. Also, we discussed how phenological mismatches would affect biological control efficacy, since an accurate description of stage differentiation (metamorphosis) of a pest and its associated natural enemy is crucial in order to know the exact time of the host susceptibility/suitability or stage when the parasitoids are able to optimize their parasitization or performance. Campaigns regarding landscape structure/heterogeneity, reduction of pesticides, and modelling approaches are urgently needed in order to safeguard populations of natural enemies in a future warmer world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Carlos Ramos Aguila
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; (X.L.); (Z.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Xu Li
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; (X.L.); (Z.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Komivi Senyo Akutse
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya;
- Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | | | - Jessica Paola Sánchez Moreano
- Grupo Traslacional en Plantas, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Parroquia Muyuna km 7 vía Alto Tena, Tena 150150, Napo, Ecuador;
| | - Zhiyang Lie
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; (X.L.); (Z.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Juxiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; (X.L.); (Z.L.); (J.L.)
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18
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Shapira T, Roth T, Bar A, Coll M, Mandelik Y. Complex Effects of a Land-Use Gradient on Pollinators and Natural Enemies: Natural Habitats Mitigate the Effects of Aphid Infestation on Pollination Services. INSECTS 2023; 14:872. [PMID: 37999071 PMCID: PMC10672408 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators and natural enemies are essential ecosystem service providers influenced by land-use and by interactions between them. However, the understanding of the combined impacts of these factors on pollinator and natural enemy activities and their ultimate effects on plant productivity remains limited. We investigated the effects of local and landscape vegetation characteristics and the presence of herbivorous pests on pollination and biological control services and their combined influence on phytometer seed set. The study was conducted in a Mediterranean agro-ecosystem, encompassing ten shrubland plots spanning a land-use gradient. Within each plot, we placed caged and uncaged potted phytometer plants that were either aphid-infested or aphid-free. We quantified insect flower visitation, aphid predation and parasitism rates, and fruit and seed set. We found scale-dependent responses of pollinators and natural enemies to land-use characteristics. Flower species richness had a positive impact on aphid parasitism rates but a negative effect on pollinator activity. Notably, we found a more pronounced positive effect of natural areas on pollinator activity in aphid-infested compared to aphid-free plants, indicating a potentially critical role of natural habitats in mitigating the adverse effects of aphid infestation on pollination services. These results highlight the complex and interactive effects of land-use on pollinators and natural enemies, with significant implications for plant productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Shapira
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (T.S.); (T.R.); (M.C.)
- The Advanced School for Environmental Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7612001, Israel
| | - Tohar Roth
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (T.S.); (T.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Adi Bar
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (T.S.); (T.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Moshe Coll
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (T.S.); (T.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Yael Mandelik
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (T.S.); (T.R.); (M.C.)
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Hemberger J, Bernauer OM, Gaines-Day HR, Gratton C. Landscape-scale floral resource discontinuity decreases bumble bee occurrence and alters community composition. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2907. [PMID: 37602909 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural practices and intensification during the past two centuries have dramatically altered the abundance and temporal continuity of floral resources that support pollinating insects such as bumble bees. Long-term trends among bumble bees within agricultural regions suggest that intensive agricultural conditions have created inhospitable conditions for some species, while other species have maintained their relative abundances despite landscape-level changes in flower availability. Bumble bee responses to spatiotemporal resource heterogeneity have been explored at the colony and behavioral level, but we have yet to understand whether these conditions drive community structure and ultimately explain the diverging patterns in long-term species trends. To explore the relationship between landscape-level floral resource continuity and the likelihood of bumble bee occurrence, we mapped the relative spatial and temporal availability of floral resources within an intensive agricultural region in the US Upper Midwest and related this resource availability with bumble bee species relative abundance. Across the bee community, we found that relative bumble bee occurrence increases in landscapes containing more abundant and more temporally continuous floral resources. Declining species, such as Bombus terricola, exhibited the strongest, positive responses to resource abundance and continuity whereas common, stable species, such as Bombus impatiens, showed no statistical relationship to either. Together with existing experimental evidence, this work suggests that efforts to increase spatiotemporal flower availability, along with overall flower abundance at landscape scales may have positive effects on bumble bee communities in the US Upper Midwest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Hemberger
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Olivia M Bernauer
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hannah R Gaines-Day
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Claudio Gratton
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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20
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Ganem Z, Ferrante M, Lubin Y, Armiach Steinpress I, Gish M, Sharon R, Harari AR, Keasar T, Gavish-Regev E. Effects of Natural Habitat and Season on Cursorial Spider Assemblages in Mediterranean Vineyards. INSECTS 2023; 14:782. [PMID: 37887794 PMCID: PMC10607350 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Natural habitats adjacent to vineyards are presumed to have a positive effect on the diversity of natural enemies within the vineyards. However, these habitats differ in vegetation structure and seasonal phenology and in turn could affect the species composition of natural enemies. Here, we compared the species richness and diversity and the composition of spider assemblages in several locations within three commercial vineyards and the nearby natural habitats in a Mediterranean landscape in northern Israel. We sampled spiders by means of pitfall traps in early and in late summer. Both the time in the season and the habitat (natural versus vineyard) affected spider species richness and diversity. More species were found in early summer (47) than in late summer (33), and more occurred in the natural habitat (34 species) than in the vineyards (27-31 species). Fifteen species were found exclusively in the natural habitat, and only 11 species were shared by the vineyards and natural habitat, four of which were the most abundant and geographically widely distributed species in the samples. In late summer, spider diversity in the natural habitat was higher than within the vineyards: the spider assemblages in the vineyards became dominated by a few species late in the crop season, while those of the natural habitat remained stable. Overall, the natural habitat differed in assemblage composition from all within-vineyard locations, while the three locations within the vineyard did not differ significantly in assemblage composition. Season (early vs. late summer), however, significantly affected the spider assemblage composition. This study documents the large diversity of spiders in a local Mediterranean vineyard agroecosystem. Over 60% of the known spider families in the region occurred in our samples, highlighting the importance of this agroecosystem for spider diversity and the potential for conservation biocontrol, where natural habitats may be a source of natural enemies for nearby vineyards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeana Ganem
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel
| | - Marco Ferrante
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, 9700-042 Azores, Portugal
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Igor Armiach Steinpress
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Moshe Gish
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel
| | - Rakefet Sharon
- Northern R&D, MIGAL-Galilee Technology Center and Tel-Hai Academic College, Qiryat Shemona 1220800, Israel
| | - Ally R Harari
- Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 7505101, Israel
| | - Tamar Keasar
- Department of Biology and the Environment, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon 3600600, Israel
| | - Efrat Gavish-Regev
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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21
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Haan NL, Benucci GNM, Fiser CM, Bonito G, Landis DA. Contrasting effects of bioenergy crops on biodiversity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh7960. [PMID: 37738354 PMCID: PMC10516493 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture is driving biodiversity loss, and future bioenergy cropping systems have the potential to ameliorate or exacerbate these effects. Using a long-term experimental array of 10 bioenergy cropping systems, we quantified diversity of plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and microbes in each crop. For many taxonomic groups, alternative annual cropping systems provided no biodiversity benefits when compared to corn (the business-as-usual bioenergy crop in the United States), and simple perennial grass-based systems provided only modest gains. In contrast, for most animal groups, richness in plant-diverse perennial systems was much higher than in annual crops or simple perennial systems. Microbial richness patterns were more eclectic, although some groups responded positively to plant diversity. Future agricultural landscapes incorporating plant-diverse perennial bioenergy cropping systems could be of high conservation value. However, increased use of annual crops will continue to have negative effects, and simple perennial grass systems may provide little improvement over annual crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan L. Haan
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Gian N. M. Benucci
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Fiser
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gregory Bonito
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Douglas A. Landis
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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22
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Tortosa A, Giffard B, Sirami C, Larrieu L, Ladet S, Vialatte A. Increasing landscape heterogeneity as a win-win solution to manage trade-offs in biological control of crop and woodland pests. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13573. [PMID: 37604831 PMCID: PMC10442452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40473-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculture and forestry cover more than 75% of Europe, and invertebrate pests are a costly challenge for these two economic sectors. Landscape management is increasingly promoted as a solution to enhance biological pest control, but little is known on its effects on adjacent crop fields and woodlands. This study aims to explore the effect of the proportion of woodlands and permanent grasslands as well as crop diversity on biological pest control simultaneously in cereals fields and woodland patches, in south-western France. We used different types of sentinel prey as well as bird and carabid community metrics to assess biological pest control potential in these two ecosystems. We first show that land cover variables influence biological pest control both in cereal fields and woodland patches, but have antagonistic effects in the two ecosystems. Although results vary according to the biological control indicator considered, we show that increasing landscape heterogeneity represents a valuable solution to manage trade-offs and promote higher average predation rates across forests and cereal fields. Our study therefore calls for more integrative studies to identify landscape management strategies that enable nature-based solutions across ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Tortosa
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
| | - Brice Giffard
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRAE, ISVV, SAVE, 33140, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Clélia Sirami
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Laurent Larrieu
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- CNPF-CRPF Occitanie, 7 chemin de la Lacade, 31320, Auzeville Tolosane, France
| | - Sylvie Ladet
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Aude Vialatte
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France
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23
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Bergamo PJ, Rito KF, Viana BF, Garcia E, Lughadha EN, Maués MM, Rech AR, Silva FD, Varassin IG, Agostini K, Marques MC, Maruyama PK, Ravena N, Garibaldi LA, Knight TM, Oliveira PEM, Oppata AK, Saraiva AM, Tambosi LR, Tsukahara RY, Freitas L, Wolowski M. Integrating public engagement to intensify pollination services through ecological restoration. iScience 2023; 26:107276. [PMID: 37559905 PMCID: PMC10407755 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, human activities impose threats to nature and the provision of ecosystem services, such as pollination. In this context, ecological restoration provides opportunities to create managed landscapes that maximize biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture, e.g., via provision of pollination services. Managing pollination services and restoration opportunities requires the engagement of distinct stakeholders embedded in diverse social institutions. Nevertheless, frameworks toward sustainable agriculture often overlook how stakeholders interact and access power in social arenas. We present a perspective integrating pollination services, ecological restoration, and public engagement for biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. We highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment of pollination services, restoration opportunities identification, and a public engagement strategy anchored in institutional analysis of the social arenas involved in restoration efforts. Our perspective can therefore guide the implementation of practices from local to country scales to enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J. Bergamo
- Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil
| | - Kátia F. Rito
- Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil
| | - Blandina F. Viana
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-210, Brazil
| | - Edenise Garcia
- Instituto de Conservação Ambiental the Nature Conservancy Brasil, São Paulo 01311-936, Brazil
| | - Eimear Nic Lughadha
- Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 9AE, UK
| | - Márcia M. Maués
- Laboratory of Entomology, Embrapa Eastern Amazon, Belém 66095-903, Brazil
| | - André R. Rech
- Centre of Advanced Studies on Functioning of Ecological Systems and Interactions (CAFESIN-MULTIFLOR), Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina 39100-000, Brazil
| | | | - Isabela G. Varassin
- Laboratório de Interações e Biologia Reprodutiva, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Kayna Agostini
- Department of Natural Science, Mathematics and Education, Federal University of São Carlos, Araras 13600-970, Brazil
| | | | - Pietro K. Maruyama
- Centre for Ecological Synthesis and Conservation, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Nirvia Ravena
- Centre of Amazonian Studies, Federal University of Pará, de Altos Estudos Amazônicos, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Lucas A. Garibaldi
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche 8400, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones em Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, San Carlos de Bariloche 8400, Argentina
| | - Tiffany M. Knight
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig 04103 Germany
- Community Ecology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Halle 06120, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06099, Germany
| | | | | | - Antônio M. Saraiva
- Polythecnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil
| | | | | | - Leandro Freitas
- Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil
| | - Marina Wolowski
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
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24
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Lee MB. Environmental factors affecting honey bees ( Apis cerana) and cabbage white butterflies ( Pieris rapae) at urban farmlands. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15725. [PMID: 37520259 PMCID: PMC10386823 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid urbanization results in a significantly increased urban population, but also the loss of agricultural lands, thus raising a concern for food security. Urban agriculture has received increasing attention as a way of improving food access in urban areas and local farmers' livelihoods. Although vegetable-dominant small urban farmlands are relatively common in China, little is known about environmental factors associated with insects that could affect ecosystem services at these urban farmlands, which in turn influences agricultural productivity. Using Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) and cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae) as examples, I investigated how environmental features within and surrounding urban farmlands affected insect pollinator (bee) and pest (butterfly) abundance in a megacity of China during winters. I considered environmental features at three spatial scales: fine (5 m-radius area), local (50 m-radius area), and landscape (500 m-raidus and 1 km-radius areas). While the abundance of P. rapae increased with local crop diversity, it was strongly negatively associated with landscape-scale crop and weed covers. A. cerana responded positively to flower cover at the fine scale. Their abundance also increased with local-scale weed cover but decreased with increasing landscape-scale weed cover. The abundance of A. cerana tended to decrease with increasing patch density of farmlands within a landscape, i.e., farmland fragmentation. These results suggest that cultivating too diverse crops at urban farmlands can increase crop damage; however, the damage may be alleviated at farmlands embedded in a landscape with more crop cover. Retaining a small amount of un-harvested flowering crops and weedy vegetation within a farmland, especially less fragmented farmland can benefit A. cerana when natural resources are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Bok Lee
- Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Ferrante M, Lövei GL, Lavigne L, Vicente MC, Tarantino E, Lopes DH, Monjardino P, Borges PAV. Flowering Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum) Strips Do Not Enhance Ecosystem Services in Azorean Orchards. INSECTS 2023; 14:634. [PMID: 37504640 PMCID: PMC10380325 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The effect of flower strips on ecosystem services (ESs) and disservices (EDs) is routinely assessed following changes in service provider densities without measuring the associated levels of ES/EDs. By using the sentinel approach (i.e., exposing a plant, seeds, and prey models in a standardized way), we tested how coriander (Coriandrum sativum) strips planted in mixed orchards on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal) affected herbivory on lettuce plants, seed predation on wheat and weed seeds, and predation on artificial caterpillars. Vertebrates had more influence than invertebrates on ESs/EDs. Herbivory (ED) after 2 weeks was similar in the coriander and the control plots (mean ± SD; 2.3% ± 3.3% vs. 2.2% ± 2.9%, n = 32 for both). Seed predation was higher in the control than in the coriander plots for both grain (ED; 30.8% ± 38.9% vs. 15.3% ± 10.8%, n = 18 for both) and weed seeds (ES; 2.5% ± 4.1% vs. 0.4% ± 0.5%, n = 18 for both). Vertebrate predation (ES) rates after 48 h were significantly higher in the control (estimate 9%, 95% CI: 4-20%) than in the coriander plots (3%, 1-8%), while no difference was observed for invertebrate predation. Coriander strips did not support increased ES/reduced ED levels in this setting. The tools used can be effective to quantitatively compare multiple ESs/EDs under different farming management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ferrante
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Science, Georg-August University of Gottingen, DE-37077 Gottingen, Germany
| | - Gabor L Lövei
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
- Flakkebjerg Research Centre, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark
- ELKH-DE Anthropocene Ecology Research Group, Debrecen University, HU-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lambert Lavigne
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
- Flakkebjerg Research Centre, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Mario Caballero Vicente
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Elisa Tarantino
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - David Horta Lopes
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Paulo Monjardino
- CBA-Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Paulo A V Borges
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
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26
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Scheper J, Badenhausser I, Kantelhardt J, Kirchweger S, Bartomeus I, Bretagnolle V, Clough Y, Gross N, Raemakers I, Vilà M, Zaragoza-Trello C, Kleijn D. Biodiversity and pollination benefits trade off against profit in an intensive farming system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2212124120. [PMID: 37399410 PMCID: PMC10334771 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212124120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Agricultural expansion and intensification have boosted global food production but have come at the cost of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Biodiversity-friendly farming that boosts ecosystem services, such as pollination and natural pest control, is widely being advocated to maintain and improve agricultural productivity while safeguarding biodiversity. A vast body of evidence showing the agronomic benefits of enhanced ecosystem service delivery represent important incentives to adopt practices enhancing biodiversity. However, the costs of biodiversity-friendly management are rarely taken into account and may represent a major barrier impeding uptake by farmers. Whether and how biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service delivery, and farm profit can go hand in hand is unknown. Here, we quantify the ecological, agronomic, and net economic benefits of biodiversity-friendly farming in an intensive grassland-sunflower system in Southwest France. We found that reducing land-use intensity on agricultural grasslands drastically enhances flower availability and wild bee diversity, including rare species. Biodiversity-friendly management on grasslands furthermore resulted in an up to 17% higher revenue on neighboring sunflower fields through positive effects on pollination service delivery. However, the opportunity costs of reduced grassland forage yields consistently exceeded the economic benefits of enhanced sunflower pollination. Our results highlight that profitability is often a key constraint hampering adoption of biodiversity-based farming and uptake critically depends on society's willingness to pay for associated delivery of public goods such as biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Scheper
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, 6700 AAWageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Badenhausser
- Unité de Recherche Pluridisciplinaire Prairies Plantes Fourragères, Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, F-86600Lusignan, France
| | - Jochen Kantelhardt
- Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Economics, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 1180Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kirchweger
- Studienzentrum für Internationale Analysen–Schlierbach, Studienzentrum für Internationale Analysen, 4553Schlierbach, Austria
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-41092Sevilla, Spain
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372, Centre national de la recherche scientifique & Université de La Rochelle, F-79360Villiers-en-Bois, France
- Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research platform « Zone Atelier Plaine & Val de Sèvre », 79360Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Yann Clough
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, 22362Lund, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Gross
- Université Clermont Auvergne, l’Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement, VetAgro Sup, Unité Mixte de Recherche 212 Ecosystème Prairial, F-63000Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ivo Raemakers
- Independent amateur entomologist, 6247CGGronsveld, The Netherlands
| | - Montserrat Vilà
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-41092Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Facultad de Biología, University of Sevilla, 41012Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Zaragoza-Trello
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-41092Sevilla, Spain
| | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, 6700 AAWageningen, The Netherlands
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27
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Mockford A, Urbaneja A, Ashbrook K, Westbury DB. Developing perennial wildflower strips for use in Mediterranean orchard systems. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10285. [PMID: 37465612 PMCID: PMC10350837 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
To support sustainable food production and the delivery of ecosystem services through ecological intensification, wildflower strips have become a popular strategy. Despite their success in temperate orchard systems, they remain understudied in Mediterranean ecosystems, which poses a significant barrier to uptake. In order to further promote their adoption, seed mixes must be optimised for commercial orchard systems and for the Mediterranean climate. Plant species should be selected for their consistent performance, whilst the availability of resources for ecosystem service providers determines the quality of the wildflower strip. In this study, the suitability of 12 native perennial forbs and two tussock-forming grass species for wildflower strips in commercial Citrus orchards was assessed over a 3-year period. Distinct resources for natural enemies according to the different plant growth stages were used an indicator of wildflower strip quality. The wildflower strips were managed under two different cutting strategies: (i) standard management, in which wildflower strips were cut once annually in February, and (ii) active management, in which wildflower strips were cut two additional times each year. The establishment and success of the sown species were compared. The influence of wildflower strips and their management on plant species richness, community structure, and the provision of resources was compared with a control treatment, in which alleyways were managed conventionally by cutting any naturally occurring vegetation to a height of ≤5 cm, four to five times annual. For the first time, the performance of native perennial plant species has been assessed in Mediterranean orchard systems and a seed mix developed for targeting pest regulation services. The wildflower strips were successful in increasing plant species richness and the available resources expected to support natural enemies. However, only wildflower strips managed with cutting once annually enhanced vegetation cover relative to the control, whilst extending the flowering period. This study therefore provides crucial tools for the further development of sustainable approaches to food production in Mediterranean orchard systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Mockford
- Department of Landscape Ecology, Institute for Natural Resource ConservationKiel UniversityKielGermany
- School of Science and the EnvironmentUniversity of WorcesterWorcesterUK
| | - Alberto Urbaneja
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA)Centro de Protección Vegetal y BiotecnologíaMoncadaSpain
| | - Kate Ashbrook
- School of Science and the EnvironmentUniversity of WorcesterWorcesterUK
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28
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Zytynska SE, Sturm S, Hawes C, Weisser WW, Karley A. Floral presence and flower identity alter cereal aphid endosymbiont communities on adjacent crops. J Appl Ecol 2023; 60:1409-1423. [PMID: 38601947 PMCID: PMC11005096 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Floral plantings adjacent to crops fields can recruit populations of natural enemies by providing flower nectar and non-crop prey to increase natural pest regulation. Observed variation in success rates might be due to changes in the unseen community of endosymbionts hosted by many herbivorous insects, of which some can confer resistance to natural enemies, for example, parasitoid wasps. Reduced insect control may occur if highly protective symbiont combinations increase in frequency via selection effects, and this is expected to be stronger in lower diversity systems.We used a large-scale field trial to analyse the bacterial endosymbiont communities hosted by cereal aphids Sitobion avenae collected along transects into strip plots of barley plants managed by either conventional or integrated (including floral field margins and reduced inputs) methods. In addition, we conducted an outdoor pot experiment to analyse endosymbionts in S. avenae aphids collected on barley plants that were either grown alone or alongside one of three flowering plants, across three time points.In the field, aphids hosted up to four symbionts. The abundance of aphids and parasitoid wasps was reduced towards the middle of all fields while aphid symbiont species richness and diversity decreased into the field in conventional, but not integrated, field-strips. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across cropping systems, with distances into the fields, and were correlated with parasitoid wasp abundances.In the pot experiment, aphids hosted up to six symbionts. Flower presence increased natural enemy abundance and diversity, and decreased aphid abundance. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across the flower treatment and time, and were correlated with varying abundances of the different specialist parasitoid wasp species recruited by different flowers. Synthesis and applications. Floral plantings and flower identity had community-wide impacts on the combinations of bacterial endosymbionts hosted by herbivorous insects, which correlated with natural enemy diversity and abundance. We recommend that integrated management practices incorporate floral resources within field areas to support a more functionally diverse and resilient natural enemy community to mitigate selection for symbiont-mediated pest resistance throughout the cropping area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E. Zytynska
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Sarah Sturm
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Cathy Hawes
- Ecological Sciences DepartmentThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
| | - Wolfgang W. Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Alison Karley
- Ecological Sciences DepartmentThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
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Morizet-Davis J, Marting Vidaurre NA, Reinmuth E, Rezaei-Chiyaneh E, Schlecht V, Schmidt S, Singh K, Vargas-Carpintero R, Wagner M, von Cossel M. Ecosystem Services at the Farm Level-Overview, Synergies, Trade-Offs, and Stakeholder Analysis. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2023; 7:2200225. [PMID: 37483416 PMCID: PMC10362122 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202200225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The current geological epoch is characterized by anthropogenic activity that greatly impacts on natural ecosystems and their integrity. The complex networks of ecosystem services (ESs) are often ignored because the provision of natural resources, such as food and industrial crops, is mistakenly viewed as an independent process separate from ecosystems and ignoring the impacts on ecosystems. Recently, research has intensified on how to evaluate and manage ES to minimize environmental impacts, but it remains unclear how to balance anthropogenic activity and ecosystem integrity. This paper reviews the main ESs at farm level including provisioning, regulating, habitat, and cultural services. For these ESs, synergies are outlined and evaluated along with the respective practices (e.g., cover- and intercropping) and ES suppliers (e.g., pollinators and biocontrol agents). Further, several farm-level ES trade-offs are discussed along with a proposal for their evaluation. Finally, a framework for stakeholder approaches specific to farm-level ES is put forward, along with an outlook on how existing precision agriculture technologies can be adapted for improved assessment of ES bundles. This is believed to provide a useful framework for both decision makers and stakeholders to facilitate the development of more sustainable and resilient farming systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Morizet-Davis
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Nirvana A Marting Vidaurre
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Evelyn Reinmuth
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
| | | | - Valentin Schlecht
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Susanne Schmidt
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences University of Queensland The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 QLD Australia
| | - Kripal Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Andong National University Andong 36729 Republic of Korea
| | - Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Moritz Wagner
- Department of Applied Ecology Hochschule Geisenheim University 65366 Geisenheim Germany
| | - Moritz von Cossel
- Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b) Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim 70599 Stuttgart Germany
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30
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Zharkov D, Nizamutdinov T, Dubovikoff D, Abakumov E, Pospelova A. Navigating Agricultural Expansion in Harsh Conditions in Russia: Balancing Development with Insect Protection in the Era of Pesticides. INSECTS 2023; 14:557. [PMID: 37367373 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
As the world's population continues to increase, ensuring food security becomes a major problem. This often leads to the expansion of agricultural production, even in harsh conditions and becomes a key problem for many countries, including Russia. However, such expansion may entail certain costs, including the potential loss of insect populations, which are vital for ecological balance and agricultural productivity. The development of fallow lands in these regions is necessary to increase food production and increase food security; it is important to balance this with protection from harmful insects and sustainable farming methods. Research into the effects of insecticides on insects is an ongoing challenge, and new, sustainable farming methods are needed to ensure that protection from harmful insects and sustainable development can coexist. This article discusses the use of pesticides to protect the well-being of mankind, the problems of studying the effects of pesticides on insects and the vulnerability of insects to pesticides in regions with harsh conditions. It also discusses successful methods of sustainable agriculture and the importance of the legal framework governing the use of pesticides. The article emphasises the importance of balanced development with insect protection to ensure the sustainability of agricultural expansion in harsh conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Zharkov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Timur Nizamutdinov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Dmitry Dubovikoff
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Evgeny Abakumov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Alena Pospelova
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Perm State National Research University, Perm 614068, Russia
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31
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Davis AE, Schmidt LA, Harrington S, Spurr C, Rader R. Provisioning Australian Seed Carrot Agroecosystems with Non-Floral Habitat Provides Oviposition Sites for Crop-Pollinating Diptera. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050439. [PMID: 37233067 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The addition of floral resources is a common intervention to support the adult life stages of key crop pollinators. Fly (Diptera) crop pollinators, however, typically do not require floral resources in their immature life stages and are likely not supported by this management intervention. Here, we deployed portable pools filled with habitat (decaying plant materials, soil, water) in seed carrot agroecosystems with the intention of providing reproduction sites for beneficial syrphid (tribe Eristalini) fly pollinators. Within 12 to 21 days after the pools were deployed, we found that the habitat pools supported the oviposition and larval development of two species of eristaline syrphid flies, Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eristalinus punctulatus (Macquart, 1847). Each habitat pool contained an average (±S.E.) of 547 ± 117 eristaline fly eggs and 50 ± 17 eristaline fly larvae. Additionally, we found significantly more eggs were laid on decaying plant stems and carrot roots compared to other locations within the pool habitat (e.g., on decaying carrot umbels, leaves, etc.). These results suggest that deploying habitat pools in agroecosystems can be a successful management intervention that rapidly facilitates fly pollinator reproduction. This method can be used to support future studies to determine if the addition of habitat resources on intensively cultivated farms increases flower visitation and crop pollination success by flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby E Davis
- Department of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Lena Alice Schmidt
- Department of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | | | | | - Romina Rader
- Department of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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32
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Mateos‐Fierro Z, Garratt MPD, Fountain MT, Ashbrook K, Westbury DB. The potential of wildflower strips to enhance pollination services in sweet cherry orchards grown under polytunnels. J Appl Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Pérez-Marcos M, Ortiz-Sánchez FJ, López-Gallego E, Ibáñez H, Carrasco A, Sanchez JA. Effects of Managed and Unmanaged Floral Margins on Pollination Services and Production in Melon Crops. INSECTS 2023; 14:296. [PMID: 36975981 PMCID: PMC10051670 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Melon is among the most consumed fruits in the world, being a crop that depends almost entirely on insects for its reproduction, which is why it is especially sensitive to declining pollination services. Restoration and maintenance of hedgerows and agricultural borders around crops are generally carried out by sowing flowering herbaceous plants or establishing shrubby species; however, a cost-effective and lower-maintenance alternative for farmers could be as simple as allowing vegetation to regenerate naturally without any management actions. This work aimed to test the effects of three different types of margins (managed herbaceous, managed shrubby, and unmanaged herbaceous) on the overall abundance and richness of wild pollinators in melon crops. The work was performed in three localities in southern Spain over two years. Pollinators were monitored visually using 1 × 1 m sampling squares and pan traps within melon fields. Moreover, crop yield was estimated by measuring fruit weight and the number of seeds. In general, higher abundances of pollinators were observed in melon fields during the second year. In addition, the abundances of Syrphidae, Andrenidae, Apidae (excl. Apis mellifera), and pollinators other than bees, belonging to the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, showed higher values in melon fields with shrubby margins than in fields with herbaceous margins (managed or unmanaged). However, no effect of floral margins on the yield of melon crops was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pérez-Marcos
- Biological Pest Control & Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Ortiz-Sánchez
- Research Group “R&D Transfer in the Area of Natural Resources”, University of Almería, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Elena López-Gallego
- Biological Pest Control & Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - Helena Ibáñez
- Biological Pest Control & Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - Aline Carrasco
- Biological Pest Control & Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Sanchez
- Biological Pest Control & Ecosystem Services Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
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Alejandre EM, Scherer L, Guinée JB, Aizen MA, Albrecht M, Balzan MV, Bartomeus I, Bevk D, Burkle LA, Clough Y, Cole LJ, Delphia CM, Dicks LV, Garratt MP, Kleijn D, Kovács-Hostyánszki A, Mandelik Y, Paxton RJ, Petanidou T, Potts S, Sárospataki M, Schulp CJ, Stavrinides M, Stein K, Stout JC, Szentgyörgyi H, Varnava AI, Woodcock BA, van Bodegom PM. Characterization Factors to Assess Land Use Impacts on Pollinator Abundance in Life Cycle Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3445-3454. [PMID: 36780611 PMCID: PMC9979645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While wild pollinators play a key role in global food production, their assessment is currently missing from the most commonly used environmental impact assessment method, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This is mainly due to constraints in data availability and compatibility with LCA inventories. To target this gap, relative pollinator abundance estimates were obtained with the use of a Delphi assessment, during which 25 experts, covering 16 nationalities and 45 countries of expertise, provided scores for low, typical, and high expected abundance associated with 24 land use categories. Based on these estimates, this study presents a set of globally generic characterization factors (CFs) that allows translating land use into relative impacts to wild pollinator abundance. The associated uncertainty of the CFs is presented along with an illustrative case to demonstrate the applicability in LCA studies. The CFs based on estimates that reached consensus during the Delphi assessment are recommended as readily applicable and allow key differences among land use types to be distinguished. The resulting CFs are proposed as the first step for incorporating pollinator impacts in LCA studies, exemplifying the use of expert elicitation methods as a useful tool to fill data gaps that constrain the characterization of key environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Alejandre
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Delft
University of Technology, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Scherer
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen B. Guinée
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcelo A. Aizen
- Grupo
de Ecología de la Polinización, INIBIOMA, Universidad
Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, Quintral 1250, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology
and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mario V. Balzan
- Institute
of Applied Sciences, Malta College of Arts,
Science and Technology (MCAST), PLA9032 Paola, Malta
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Estación
Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Isla de la Cartuja, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Danilo Bevk
- National
Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Laura A. Burkle
- Department
of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Yann Clough
- Centre
for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund
University, Sölvegatan
37, 22362 Lund Sweden
| | - Lorna J. Cole
- Integrated Land Management, SRUC, JF Niven Building, Auchincruive
Estate, KA6 5HW AYR, U.K.
| | - Casey M. Delphia
- Montana Entomology Collection, Montana
State University, Room 50 Marsh
Laboratory, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EJ Cambridge U.K.
- School of Biological Sciences, University
of East Anglia, Norwich
Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich U.K.
| | | | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology
and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen
University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki
- Centre
for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Lendület Ecosystem Services Research Group, Alkotmány str. 2-4, H-2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Yael Mandelik
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture
Food and Environment, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin
Luther University
Halle-Wittenberg, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- German
Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Theodora Petanidou
- Laboratory
of Biogeography and Ecology, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Simon Potts
- University
of Reading, RG6 6AR Reading, U.K.
| | - Miklós Sárospataki
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Institute
for Wildlife
Management and Nature Conservation, Hungarian
University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter K. u. 1., H2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Catharina J.E. Schulp
- Department of Environmental Geography,
Institute for
Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Menelaos Stavrinides
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Cyprus
University of Technology, Arch. Kyprianos 30, 3036 Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Katharina Stein
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Botany
and Botanical Garden, University of Rostock, Wismarsche Strasse 45, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jane C. Stout
- Trinity College Dublin, College Green, D02
PN40 Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Hajnalka Szentgyörgyi
- Department
of Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian
University, ul. Gronostajowa
3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Androulla I. Varnava
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Cyprus
University of Technology, Arch. Kyprianos 30, 3036 Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Ben A. Woodcock
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, U.K.
| | - Peter M. van Bodegom
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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35
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Barda M, Karamaouna F, Kati V, Perdikis D. Do Patches of Flowering Plants Enhance Insect Pollinators in Apple Orchards? INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14020208. [PMID: 36835777 PMCID: PMC9960344 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Apples depend on insect pollination but intensification of agriculture jeopardizes pollination services in agroecosystems. Concerns about the dependency of crop pollination exclusively on honey bees increase the interest in agricultural practices that safeguard wild pollinators in agroecosystems. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential of floral resource provision in apple orchards to enhance the conservation of hymenopterous pollinating insects and potentially the pollination service to the crop. For this reason, flowering plant mixtures sown in patches inside apple orchards were tested against wild plant patches. Pollinator taxa recorded on the sown and wild plant patches were honey bees, wild bees (Andrena, Anthophora, Eucera, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachilidae on both; Systropha only on wild plants; Bombus, Hylaeus, Sphecodes, Nomada, Xylocopa only on sown mixture), syrphids, bee flies. The most abundant pollinator of apple was A. mellifera but wild bees were also recorded (Andrena, Anthophora, Bombus, Xylocopa, Lasioglossum, Megachilidae). The sown mixture attracted a more diverse taxa of pollinators and in greater numbers compared to the weed flora, but it did not have an effect on pollinators visiting apple flowers. Groundcover management with patches of suitable flowering mixtures can enhance pollinator conservation in apple orchards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Barda
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Str., 14561 Kifissia, Greece
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (F.K.)
| | - Filitsa Karamaouna
- Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Str., 14561 Kifissia, Greece
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (F.K.)
| | - Vaya Kati
- Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Str., 14561 Kifissia, Greece
- Laboratory of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dionysios Perdikis
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
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The Role of Uncultivated Habitats in Supporting Wild Bee Communities in Mediterranean Agricultural Landscapes. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
In agricultural landscapes, uncultivated habitat patches may have a focal role in supporting communities of ecosystem service providers. However, little is known on the variances among different types of uncultivated habitat patches in providing resources and maintaining populations of these beneficial organisms. We studied wild bee communities in natural and semi-natural uncultivated patches embedded in semi-arid Mediterranean agricultural landscapes. We investigated the effects of local- and landscape-scale land-use characteristics, as well as their interactions, on bee diversity, functional composition, and forage and nesting resources. Most bee community parameters were affected by both local- and landscape-scale characteristics, but no significant interactions were found among the scales. Local land-use effects were related primarily to overall plant cover, and to the abundance and richness of flowering plants. Landscape effects, mostly limited to a 400 m range, were varied. The abundance of focal crop pollinators varied considerably between patch type and pollinator species. The different types of uncultivated habitats maintain complementary bee and flower communities. Our findings show the important role of uncultivated habitat patches in providing floral and nesting resources for bees, and creating resource-landscapes that can support wild bee communities and crop pollination services in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes.
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Beal T, Gardner CD, Herrero M, Iannotti LL, Merbold L, Nordhagen S, Mottet A. Friend or Foe? The Role of Animal-Source Foods in Healthy and Environmentally Sustainable Diets. J Nutr 2023; 153:409-425. [PMID: 36894234 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific and political discussions around the role of animal-source foods (ASFs) in healthy and environmentally sustainable diets are often polarizing. To bring clarity to this important topic, we critically reviewed the evidence on the health and environmental benefits and risks of ASFs, focusing on primary trade-offs and tensions, and summarized the evidence on alternative proteins and protein-rich foods. ASFs are rich in bioavailable nutrients commonly lacking globally and can make important contributions to food and nutrition security. Many populations in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia could benefit from increased consumption of ASFs through improved nutrient intakes and reduced undernutrition. Where consumption is high, processed meat should be limited, and red meat and saturated fat should be moderated to lower noncommunicable disease risk-this could also have cobenefits for environmental sustainability. ASF production generally has a large environmental impact; yet, when produced at the appropriate scale and in accordance with local ecosystems and contexts, ASFs can play an important role in circular and diverse agroecosystems that, in certain circumstances, can help restore biodiversity and degraded land and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from food production. The amount and type of ASF that is healthy and environmentally sustainable will depend on the local context and health priorities and will change over time as populations develop, nutritional concerns evolve, and alternative foods from new technologies become more available and acceptable. Efforts by governments and civil society organizations to increase or decrease ASF consumption should be considered in light of the nutritional and environmental needs and risks in the local context and, importantly, integrally involve the local stakeholders impacted by any changes. Policies, programs, and incentives are needed to ensure best practices in production, curb excess consumption where high, and sustainably increase consumption where low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ty Beal
- Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Washington, DC, USA; Institute for Social, Behavioral and Economic Research, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher D Gardner
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mario Herrero
- Department of Global Development and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Lutz Merbold
- Integrative Agroecology Group, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anne Mottet
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
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38
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Thompson JB, Symonds J, Carlisle L, Iles A, Karp DS, Ory J, Bowles TM. Remote sensing of hedgerows, windbreaks, and winter cover crops in California's Central Coast reveals low adoption but hotspots of use. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1052029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-crop vegetation, such as hedgerows and cover crops, are important on-farm diversification practices that support biodiversity and ecosystem services; however, information about their rates and patterns of adoption are scarce. We used satellite and aerial imagery coupled with machine learning classification to map the use of hedgerows/windbreaks and winter cover crops in California's Central Coast, a globally important agricultural area of intensive fresh produce production. We expected that adoption of both practices would be relatively low and unevenly distributed across the landscape, with higher levels of adoption found in marginal farmland and in less intensively cultivated areas where the pressure to remove non-crop vegetation may be lower. Our remote sensing classification revealed that only ~6% of farmland had winter cover crops in 2021 and 0.26% of farmland had hedgerows or windbreaks in 2018. Thirty-seven percent of ranch parcels had cover crops on at least 5% of the ranch while 22% of ranches had at least one hedgerow/windbreak. Nearly 16% of farmland had other annual winter crops, some of which could provide services similar to cover crops; however, 60% of farmland had bare soil over the winter study period, with the remainder of farmland classified as perennial crops or strawberries. Hotspot analysis showed significant areas of adoption of both practices in the hillier regions of all counties. Finally, qualitative interviews revealed that adoption patterns were likely driven by interrelated effects of topography, land values, and farming models, with organic, diversified farms implementing these practices in less ideal, lower-value farmland. This study demonstrates how remote sensing coupled with qualitative research can be used to map and interpret patterns of important diversification practices, with implications for tracking policy interventions and targeting resources to assist farmers motivated to expand adoption.
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Kleiman B, Koptur S. Weeds Enhance Insect Diversity and Abundance and May Improve Soil Conditions in Mango Cultivation of South Florida. INSECTS 2023; 14:65. [PMID: 36661992 PMCID: PMC9864375 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study examined if weeds could serve as insectary plants to increase beneficial insect abundance and diversity in mango cultivation in southern Florida. Additionally, we examined how weed presence affects mango tree soil health. We found that weeds significantly increased pollinating and parasitoid insect abundance and diversity. Eight insect orders and eighteen families were significantly more abundant on mango trees with weeds growing beneath them than those where weeds were removed. There was no difference in predatory insects between treatments, and slightly more herbivorous insects on weedy mango trees. Pollinating insects visiting mango flowers in the weed treatment were significantly greater, as well as spiders on weedy mango trees. However, there were more lacewings (Neuroptera) observed on the mango trees without weeds, and leaf chlorophyll in the old and new mango leaves was significantly greater, in the weed-free treatment. Soil conditions, however, significantly improved in soil carbon and a greater pH reduction in the presence of weeds, though weeds affected neither soil nitrogen, phosphorous, nor chlorophyll in productive green leaves. These results show that a tolerable level of selective weed species' presence may benefit insect, plant, and soil biodiversity in farms. This is important in increasing production, sustainability, and biodiversity in agriculture, which otherwise may be deficient in non-crop life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaire Kleiman
- Agroecology Program, Department of Earth and Environment, International Center for Tropical Botany, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Plant Ecology Lab, Department of Biology, International Center for Tropical Botany, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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40
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Garratt MPD, O'Connor RS, Carvell C, Fountain MT, Breeze TD, Pywell R, Redhead JW, Kinneen L, Mitschunas N, Truslove L, Xavier e Silva C, Jenner N, Ashdown C, Brittain C, McKerchar M, Butcher C, Edwards M, Nowakowski M, Sutton P, Potts SG. Addressing pollination deficits in orchard crops through habitat management for wild pollinators. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2743. [PMID: 36107148 PMCID: PMC10078601 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that farmers in many areas are achieving below maximum yields due to insufficient pollination. Practical and effective approaches are needed to maintain wild pollinator populations within agroecosystems so they can deliver critical pollination services that underpin crop production. We established nesting and wildflower habitat interventions in 24 UK apple orchards and measured effects on flower-visiting insects and the pollination they provide, exploring how this was affected by landscape context. We quantified the extent of pollination deficits and assessed whether the management of wild pollinators can reduce deficits and deliver improved outcomes for growers over 3 years. Wildflower interventions increased solitary bee numbers visiting apple flowers by over 20%, but there was no effect of nesting interventions. Other pollinator groups were influenced by both local and landscape-scale factors, with bumblebees and hoverflies responding to the relative proportion of semi-natural habitat at larger spatial scales (1000 m), while honeybees and other flies responded at 500 m or less. By improving fruit number and quality, pollinators contributed more than £16 k per hectare. However, deficits (where maximum potential was not being reached due to a lack of pollination) were recorded and the extent of these varied across orchards, and from year to year, with a 22% deficit in output in the worst (equivalent to ~£14 k/ha) compared to less than 3% (equivalent to ~£2 k/ha) in the best year. Although no direct effect of our habitat interventions on deficits in gross output was observed, initial fruit set and seed set deficits were reduced by abundant bumblebees, and orchards with a greater abundance of solitary bees saw lower deficits in fruit size. The abundance of pollinators in apple orchards is influenced by different local and landscape factors that interact and vary between years. Consequently, pollination, and the extent of economic output deficits, also vary between orchards and years. We highlight how approaches, including establishing wildflower areas and optimizing the ratio of cropped and non-cropped habitats can increase the abundance of key apple pollinators and improve outcomes for growers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rory S. O'Connor
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, University of ReadingReadingUK
| | | | | | - Tom D. Breeze
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, University of ReadingReadingUK
| | | | | | - Lois Kinneen
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, University of ReadingReadingUK
| | | | - Louise Truslove
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, University of ReadingReadingUK
| | | | | | | | - Claire Brittain
- Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research CentreBracknellUK
| | | | | | - Mike Edwards
- Edwards Ecological and Data Services LtdMidhurstUK
| | | | - Peter Sutton
- Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research CentreBracknellUK
| | - Simon G. Potts
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, University of ReadingReadingUK
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Marcacci G, Grass I, Rao VS, Kumar S S, Tharini KB, Belavadi VV, Nölke N, Tscharntke T, Westphal C. Functional diversity of farmland bees across rural-urban landscapes in a tropical megacity. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2699. [PMID: 35751512 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization poses a major threat to biodiversity and food security, as expanding cities, especially in the Global South, increasingly compete with natural and agricultural lands. However, the impact of urban expansion on agricultural biodiversity in tropical regions is overlooked. Here we assess how urbanization affects the functional response of farmland bees, the most important pollinators for crop production. We sampled bees across three seasons in 36 conventional vegetable-producing farms spread along an urbanization gradient in Bengaluru, an Indian megacity. We investigated how landscape and local environmental drivers affected different functional traits (sociality, nesting behavior, body size, and specialization) and functional diversity (functional dispersion) of bee communities. We found that the functional responses to urbanization were trait specific with more positive than negative effects of gray area (sealed surfaces and buildings) on species richness, functional diversity, and abundance of most functional groups. As expected, larger, solitary, cavity-nesting, and, surprisingly, specialist bees benefited from urbanization. In contrast to temperate cities, the abundance of ground nesters increased in urban areas, presumably because larger patches of bare soil were still available beside roads and buildings. However, overall bee abundance and the abundance of social bees (85% of all bees) decreased with urbanization, threatening crop pollination. Crop diversity promotes taxonomic and functional diversity of bee communities. Locally, flower resources promote the abundance of all functional groups, and natural vegetation can maintain diverse pollinator communities throughout the year, especially during the noncropping season. However, exotic plants decrease functional diversity and bee specialization. To safeguard bees and their pollination services in urban farms, we recommend (1) preserving seminatural vegetation (hedges) around cropping fields to provide nesting opportunities for aboveground nesters, (2) promoting farm-level crop diversification of beneficial crops (e.g., pulses, vegetables, and spices), (3) maintaining native natural vegetation along field margins, and (4) controlling and removing invasive exotic plants that disrupt native plant-pollinator interactions. Overall, our results suggest that urban agriculture can maintain functionally diverse bee communities and, if managed in a sustainable manner, be used to develop win-win solutions for biodiversity conservation of pollinators and food security in and around cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Marcacci
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingo Grass
- Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Vikas S Rao
- Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Shabarish Kumar S
- Department of Apiculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - K B Tharini
- Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasuki V Belavadi
- Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Nils Nölke
- Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Catrin Westphal
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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42
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López-Felices B, Aznar-Sánchez JA, Velasco-Muñoz JF, Mesa-Vázquez E. Installation of hedgerows around greenhouses to encourage biological pest control: Farmers' perspectives from Southeast Spain. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 323:116210. [PMID: 36108512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The intensification of agriculture has led to the deterioration of various ecosystem services, including pest control. The installation of hedgerows around greenhouses is presented as a viable option to maintain and favour natural enemies of pests. Despite the economic and environmental advantages of this type of facility, farmers are reluctant to implement it. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the factors that influence the decision to install hedgerows and the most appropriate incentives to promote their establishment. This article analyses intensive agriculture in Southeastern Spain. The application of cluster analysis techniques allowed the detection of four types of farmers in relation to this practice. The factors that drive its installation are an increase in the effectiveness of biological control, a reduction in the use of pesticides and the possible economic and environmental benefits. As a barrier, a lack of knowledge of and confidence in the effectiveness of this practice stand out. Among the measures to encourage their installation, the most valued are training and advice and recurring payments for the ecosystem services generated. The results obtained can be useful for policy makers in regions in which the installation of non-crop vegetation is promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén López-Felices
- Department of Economy and Business, Research Centre on Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology, University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| | - Jose A Aznar-Sánchez
- Department of Economy and Business, Research Centre on Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology, University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| | - Juan F Velasco-Muñoz
- Department of Economy and Business, Research Centre on Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology, University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| | - Ernesto Mesa-Vázquez
- Department of Economy and Business, Research Centre on Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology, University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain.
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43
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Bianchi FJ. From pattern to process: Towards mechanistic design principles for pest suppressive landscapes. Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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44
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Doublet V, Doyle T, Refoy I, Hedges S, Carvell C, Brown MJF, Wilfert L. Increasing flower species richness in agricultural landscapes alters insect pollinator networks: Implications for bee health and competition. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9442. [PMID: 36311409 PMCID: PMC9608809 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological restoration programs are established to reverse land degradation, mitigate biodiversity loss, and reinstate ecosystem services. Following recent agricultural intensification that led to a decrease in flower diversity and density in rural areas and subsequently to the decline of many insects, conservation measures targeted at pollinators have been established, including sown wildflower strips (WFS) along field margins. Historically successful in establishing a high density of generalist bees and increasing pollinator diversity, the impact of enhanced flower provision on wider ecological interactions and the structure of pollinator networks has been rarely investigated. Here, we tested the effects of increasing flower species richness and flower density in agricultural landscapes on bee‐plant interaction networks. We measured plant species richness and flower density and surveyed honeybee and bumblebee visits on flowers across a range of field margins on 10 UK farms that applied different pollinator conservation measures. We found that both flower species richness and flower density significantly increased bee abundance, in early and late summer, respectively. At the network level, we found that higher flower species richness did not significantly alter bee species' generality indices, but significantly reduced network connectance and marginally reduced niche overlap across honeybees and bumblebee species, a proxy for insect competition. While higher connectance and niche overlap is believed to strengthen network robustness and often is the aim for the restoration of pollinator networks, we argue that carefully designed WFS may benefit bees by partitioning their foraging niche, limiting competition for resources and the potential for disease transmission via shared floral use. We also discuss the need to extend WFS and their positive effects into spring when wild bee populations are established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Doublet
- College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK,Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation GenomicsUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | - Toby Doyle
- College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Isobel Refoy
- College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Sophie Hedges
- College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK,Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesThe Royal Veterinary CollegeHatfieldUK
| | | | - Mark J. F. Brown
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| | - Lena Wilfert
- College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK,Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation GenomicsUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
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DeVetter LW, Chabert S, Milbrath MO, Mallinger RE, Walters J, Isaacs R, Galinato SP, Kogan C, Brouwer K, Melathopoulos A, Eeraerts M. Toward evidence-based decision support systems to optimize pollination and yields in highbush blueberry. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.1006201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a globally important fruit crop that depends on insect-mediated pollination to produce quality fruit and commercially viable yields. Pollination success in blueberry is complex and impacted by multiple interacting factors including flower density, bee diversity and abundance, and weather conditions. Other factors, including floral traits, bee traits, and economics also contribute to pollination success at the farm level but are less well understood. As blueberry production continues to expand globally, decision-aid technologies are needed to optimize and enhance the sustainability of pollination strategies. The objective of this review is to highlight our current knowledge about blueberry pollination, where current research efforts are focused, and where future research should be directed to successfully implement a comprehensive blueberry pollination decision-making framework for modern production systems. Important knowledge gaps remain, including how to integrate wild and managed pollinators to optimize pollination, and how to provide predictable and stable crop pollination across variable environmental conditions. In addition, continued advances in pesticide stewardship are required to optimize pollinator health and crop outcomes. Integration of on- and off-farm data, statistical models, and software tools could distill complex scientific information into decision-aid systems that support sustainable, evidence-based pollination decisions at the farm level. Utility of these tools will require multi-disciplinary research and strategic deployment through effective extension and information-sharing networks of growers, beekeepers, and extension/crop advisors.
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46
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Gardarin A, Valantin‐Morison M. Initial assemblage characteristics determine the functional dynamics of flower-strip plant communities. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9435. [PMID: 36267684 PMCID: PMC9579737 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In agroecosystems, species‐rich habitats, such as linear field margins and flower strips, are beneficial to the overall biodiversity and contribute to pest control. Their effects are thought to be mediated by plant species composition and diversity. However, the management of plant communities with targeted levels of functional diversity has been little investigated. In an open field landscape, we compared the effects of the sown species richness (9, 14, and 29 species) and functional diversity (high vs. low) of eight different seed mixtures, sown in flower strips, on the 4‐year temporal dynamics of their functional diversity. There was a good agreement between the expected and realized species richness and functional diversity at the start of the experiment. All plant assemblages progressively lost species over time, but this decline was lower for assemblages sown with a high initial functional diversity, in which species evenness was maintained at higher levels. Species‐rich assemblages had a higher degree of functional redundancy, and their functional diversity remained higher over time than less rich assemblages. A possible explanation for this is that functional redundancy would have enabled the compensation for the loss of species by functionally equivalent species. The realized functional diversity of the sown species also limited the establishment of spontaneous species, perhaps due to a higher degree of niche occupancy. This study provides useful insight into the creation of functionally diversified plant communities. A high level of initial species and functional diversity is required to guarantee a greater temporal persistence of the communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Gardarin
- UMR Agronomie, INRAE, AgroParisTechUniversité Paris‐SaclayThiverval‐GrignonFrance
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Knauer AC, Alaux C, Allan MJ, Dean RR, Dievart V, Glauser G, Kiljanek T, Michez D, Schwarz JM, Tamburini G, Wintermantel D, Klein AM, Albrecht M. Nutritional stress exacerbates impact of a novel insecticide on solitary bees' behaviour, reproduction and survival. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221013. [PMID: 36476004 PMCID: PMC9554715 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pesticide exposure and food stress are major threats to bees, but their potential synergistic impacts under field-realistic conditions remain poorly understood and are not considered in current pesticide risk assessments. We conducted a semi-field experiment to examine the single and interactive effects of the novel insecticide flupyradifurone (FPF) and nutritional stress on fitness proxies in the solitary bee Osmia bicornis. Individually marked bees were released into flight cages with monocultures of buckwheat, wild mustard or purple tansy, which were assigned to an insecticide treatment (FPF or control) in a crossed design. Nutritional stress, which was high in bees foraging on buckwheat, intermediate on wild mustard and low on purple tansy, modulated the impact of insecticide exposure. Within the first day after application of FPF, mortality of bees feeding on buckwheat was 29 times higher compared with control treatments, while mortality of FPF exposed and control bees was similar in the other two plant species. Moreover, we found negative synergistic impacts of FPF and nutritional stress on offspring production, flight activity, flight duration and flower visitation frequency. These results reveal that environmental policies and risk assessment schemes that ignore interactions among anthropogenic stressors will fail to adequately protect bees and the pollination services they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cedric Alaux
- UR406 Abeilles and Environnement, Site Agroparc, INRAE, Avignon, France
| | | | | | - Virginie Dievart
- UR406 Abeilles and Environnement, Site Agroparc, INRAE, Avignon, France
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz Kiljanek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Denis Michez
- Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | | | - Giovanni Tamburini
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA—Entomology), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Dimitry Wintermantel
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Wyckhuys KA, Zhang W, Colmenarez YC, Simelton E, Sander BO, Lu Y. Tritrophic defenses as a central pivot of low-emission, pest-suppressive farming systems. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 58:101208. [PMID: 36320406 PMCID: PMC9611972 DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2022.101208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the intricate connections between human and planetary health. Given that pesticide-centered crop protection degrades ecological resilience and (in-)directly harms human health, the adoption of ecologically sound, biodiversity-driven alternatives is imperative. In this Synthesis paper, we illuminate how ecological forces can be manipulated to bolster 'tritrophic defenses' against crop pests, pathogens, and weeds. Three distinct, yet mutually compatible approaches (habitat-mediated, breeding-dependent, and epigenetic tactics) can be deployed at different organizational levels, that is, from an individual seed to entire farming landscapes. Biodiversity can be harnessed for crop protection through ecological infrastructures, diversification tactics, and reconstituted soil health. Crop diversification is ideally guided by interorganismal interplay and plant-soil feedbacks, entailing resistant cultivars, rotation schemes, or multicrop arrangements. Rewarding opportunities also exist to prime plants for enhanced immunity or indirect defenses. As tritrophic defenses spawn multiple societal cobenefits, they could become core features of healthy, climate-resilient, and low-carbon food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Ag Wyckhuys
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Chrysalis Consulting, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Wei Zhang
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-CGIAR), Washington DC, USA
| | | | | | - Bjorn O Sander
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI-CGIAR), Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Yanhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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von Königslöw V, Fornoff F, Klein A. Wild bee communities benefit from temporal complementarity of hedges and flower strips in apple orchards. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vivien von Königslöw
- University of Freiburg Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology Freiburg Germany
| | - Felix Fornoff
- University of Freiburg Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology Freiburg Germany
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50
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Schütz L, Wenzel B, Rottstock T, Dachbrodt‐Saaydeh S, Golla B, Kehlenbeck H. How to promote multifunctionality of vegetated strips in arable farming: A qualitative approach for Germany. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Schütz
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
| | - Bettina Wenzel
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
| | - Tanja Rottstock
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
| | - Silke Dachbrodt‐Saaydeh
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
| | - Burkhard Golla
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
| | - Hella Kehlenbeck
- Julius Kühn‐Institut, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment Kleinmachnow Germany
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