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Kline O, Phan NT, Porras MF, Chavana J, Little CZ, Stemet L, Acharya RS, Biddinger DJ, Reddy GVP, Rajotte EG, Joshi NK. Biology, Genetic Diversity, and Conservation of Wild Bees in Tree Fruit Orchards. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:31. [PMID: 36671724 PMCID: PMC9854918 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Different species of bees provide essential ecosystem services by pollinating various agricultural crops, including tree fruits. Many fruits and nuts depend on insect pollination, primarily by wild and managed bees. In different geographical regions where orchard crops are grown, fruit growers rely on wild bees in the farmscape and use orchard bees as alternative pollinators. Orchard crops such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, etc., are mass-flowering crops and attract many different bee species during their bloom period. Many bee species found in orchards emerge from overwintering as the fruit trees start flowering in spring, and the active duration of these bees aligns very closely with the blooming time of fruit trees. In addition, most of the bees in orchards are short-range foragers and tend to stay close to the fruit crops. However, the importance of orchard bee communities is not well understood, and many challenges in maintaining their populations remain. This comprehensive review paper summarizes the different types of bees commonly found in tree fruit orchards in the fruit-growing regions of the United States, their bio-ecology, and genetic diversity. Additionally, recommendations for the management of orchard bees, different strategies for protecting them from multiple stressors, and providing suitable on-farm nesting and floral resource habitats for propagation and conservation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Kline
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Ngoc T. Phan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Research Center for Tropical Bees and Beekeeping, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Gia Lam, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Mitzy F. Porras
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Joshua Chavana
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Coleman Z. Little
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035, USA
| | - Lilia Stemet
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Roshani S. Acharya
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - David J. Biddinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center, Biglerville, PA 17307, USA
| | - Gadi V. P. Reddy
- USDA-ARS-Southern Insect Management Research Unite, 141 Experiment Station Rd., P.O. Box 346, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| | - Edwin G. Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Neelendra K. Joshi
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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Schoch K, Tschumi M, Lutter S, Ramseier H, Zingg S. Competition and Facilitation Effects of Semi-Natural Habitats Drive Total Insect and Pollinator Abundance in Flower Strips. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.854058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flower strips are an effective agri-environmental measure to promote functional biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. In particular, tailored annual flower strips are increasingly implemented to foster insect pollination and biological pest control. While positive effects of flower strips on service providers and associated ecosystem services were recently demonstrated, little is known about how their effectiveness is affected by the surrounding landscape. We investigated how landscape composition and configuration, as well as flower strip traits influence the abundance of all insects, pollinators and natural enemies in 74 annual flower strips across 7 years (2014–2020). Landscape characteristics such as crop diversity, mean field size, area, and quality of semi-natural farmland habitats were assessed in a 1-km radius surrounding flower strips and combined with flower strip traits such as size, flower coverage, and flowering plant species richness to model insect abundance and diversity. Total insect and pollinator abundance, as well as wild bee abundance, richness, and diversity in flower strips were negatively affected by the share of semi-natural farmland habitats in the surrounding landscape, suggesting a dilution effect. On the other hand, semi-natural habitats with elevated ecological quality (i.e., biodiversity promotion areas with high botanical and structural diversity) enhanced total insect and pollinator abundance in flower strips. Furthermore, pollinator abundance and wild bee abundance in specific were positively affected by the flower coverage of the strips. Our results therefore suggest simultaneous competition and facilitation effects of semi-natural habitats on the landscape scale depending on their ecological quality. Annual flower strips will therefore be most effective in fostering services in landscapes of moderate to low complexity but with a high share of semi-natural habitats with increased ecological quality. For additional benefits for pollinator and wild bee abundance, flower strips should be designed to yield high flower cover. Our study thus highlights the importance of quality of ecological infrastructure and provides recommendations to maximize ecosystem services and biodiversity by means of flower strips at the landscape scale.
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Zamberletti P, Sabir K, Opitz T, Bonnefon O, Gabriel E, Papaïx J. More pests but less pesticide applications: Ambivalent effect of landscape complexity on conservation biological control. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009559. [PMID: 34748536 PMCID: PMC8601610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In agricultural landscapes, the amount and organization of crops and semi-natural habitats (SNH) have the potential to promote a bundle of ecosystem services due to their influence on ecological community at multiple spatio-temporal scales. SNH are relatively undisturbed and are often source of complementary resources and refuges, therefore supporting more diverse and abundant natural pest enemies. However, the nexus of SNH proportion and organization with pest suppression is not trivial. It is thus crucial to understand how the behavior of pest and natural enemy species, the underlying landscape structure, and their interaction, may influence conservation biological control (CBC). Here, we develop a generative stochastic landscape model to simulate realistic agricultural landscape compositions and configurations of fields and linear elements. Generated landscapes are used as spatial support over which we simulate a spatially explicit predator-prey dynamic model. We find that increased SNH presence boosts predator populations by sustaining high predator density that regulates and keeps pest density below the pesticide application threshold. However, predator presence over all the landscape helps to stabilize the pest population by keeping it under this threshold, which tends to increase pest density at the landscape scale. In addition, the joint effect of SNH presence and predator dispersal ability among hedge and field interface results in a stronger pest regulation, which also limits pest growth. Considering properties of both fields and linear elements, such as local structure and geometric features, provides deeper insights for pest regulation; for example, hedge presence at crop field boundaries clearly strengthens CBC. Our results highlight that the integration of species behaviors and traits with landscape structure at multiple scales is necessary to provide useful insights for CBC. In the agricultural context, the loss of semi-natural surfaces often results in high pest abundance requiring elevated pesticide loads. Habitat heterogeneity resulting from the agricultural intermixing of arable fields and semi-natural areas is key to allow organism fluxes across agro-ecological interfaces by influencing ecological processes. Semi-natural habitats (SNH) are often restricted to linear structures, such as hedgerows, but they play an important role by hosting a large number of species. However, the effect of hedgerows is controversial, as it could result in a positive, ineffective or negative effect for CBC. Usually, the impacts of landscape structure on pest population dynamics and resulting CBC are assessed through field experiments with a specific focus, which cannot be generalized, lack flexibility and are limited by the need to manipulate relatively large landscapes. Here, we tackle the challenge to investigate the controversial role of semi-natural habitats for CBC by presenting a simulation-based approach, which allows us to characterize the joint influence of landscape structure and species traits on CBC service. Our study corroborates that spatial heterogeneity, species traits and their interactions are fundamental for CBC. We show that hedge presence alone is not sufficient to lead to strong pest reduction, but hedge-based predators help to maintain the pest density under the pesticide threshold. Instead, SNH presence coupled with appropriate predator traits leads to stronger decrease of pest population. Moreover, we highlight an important scaling effect of SNH, which at the local scale has an even more important impact on CBC as local properties are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khadija Sabir
- Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Opitz
- INRAE Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux, INRA-PACA, Avignon, France
| | - Olivier Bonnefon
- INRAE Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux, INRA-PACA, Avignon, France
| | - Edith Gabriel
- INRAE Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux, INRA-PACA, Avignon, France
| | - Julien Papaïx
- INRAE Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux, INRA-PACA, Avignon, France
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4
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Montagnana PC, Alves RS, Garófalo CA, Ribeiro MC. Landscape heterogeneity and forest cover shape cavity-nesting hymenopteran communities in a multi-scale perspective. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lajos K, Demeter I, Mák R, Balog A, Sárospataki M. Preliminary assessment of cavity-nesting Hymenopterans in a low-intensity agricultural landscape in Transylvania. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11903-11914. [PMID: 34522349 PMCID: PMC8427617 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, our aim was to assess several traits of cavity-nesting Hymenopteran taxa in a low-intensity agricultural landscape in Transylvania. The study took place between May and August 2018 at eight study sites in the hilly mountainous central part of Romania, where the majority of the landscape is used for extensive farming or forestry. During the processing of the trap nest material, we recorded several traits regarding the nests of different cavity-nesting Hymenopteran taxa and the spider prey found inside the nests of the spider-hunting representatives of these taxa. We also evaluated the relationship between the edge density and proportion of low-intensity agricultural areas surrounding the study sites and some of these traits. The majority of nests were built by the solitary wasp genus Trypoxylon, followed by the solitary wasp taxa Dipogon and Eumeninae. Solitary bees were much less common, with Hylaeus being the most abundant genus. In the nests of Trypoxylon, we mostly found spider prey from the family of Araneidae, followed by specimens from the families of Linyphiidae and Theridiidae. In the nests of Dipogon, we predominantly encountered spider prey from the family of Thomisidae. We found significant effects of low-intensity agricultural areas for the genera of Auplopus, Megachile, Osmia, and the Thomisid prey of Dipogon. We also found that the spider prey of Trypoxylon was significantly more diverse at study sites with higher proportions of low-intensity agricultural areas. Our results indicate that solitary bees seem to be more abundant in areas, where the influence of human activities is stronger, while solitary wasps seem to rather avoid these areas. Therefore, we suggest that future studies not only should put more effort into sampling in low-intensity agricultural landscapes but also focus more on solitary wasp taxa, when sampling such an area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Károly Lajos
- Department of Zoology and EcologyHungarian University of Agriculture and Life SciencesGödöllőHungary
| | - Imre Demeter
- Department of Zoology and EcologyHungarian University of Agriculture and Life SciencesGödöllőHungary
| | - Róbert Mák
- Department of Zoology and EcologyHungarian University of Agriculture and Life SciencesGödöllőHungary
| | - Adalbert Balog
- Department of HorticultureFaculty of Technical and Human ScienceSapientia Hungarian University of TransylvaniaTirgu‐MuresRomania
| | - Miklós Sárospataki
- Department of Zoology and EcologyHungarian University of Agriculture and Life SciencesGödöllőHungary
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6
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Miller KE, Aguilera G, Bommarco R, Roslin T. Land-use intensity affects the potential for apparent competition within and between habitats. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1891-1905. [PMID: 33901299 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod communities dwelling in adjacent habitats are able to impact one another via shared natural enemies. In agricultural landscapes, drastic differences in resource availability between crop and non-crop habitats cause variation in insect herbivore densities over short distances, potentially driving inter-habitat effects. Moreover, the composition of the landscape in which the habitats are embedded likely affects realised attack rates from natural enemies via impacts on local arthropod community structure. Here, we examine indirect effects between herbivore species within and between habitat types by calculating the potential for apparent competition between multiple populations. Firstly, we aim to determine how disparities in resource availability impact the strength of the potential for apparent competition occurring between habitats, secondly to examine the impact of landscape composition upon these effects, and finally to couch these observations in reality by investigating the link between the potential for apparent competition and realised attack rates. We used DNA metabarcoding to characterise host-parasitoid interactions within two habitat types (with divergent nutrient inputs) at 11 locations with variable landscape composition within an agroecosystem context. We then used these interaction networks to estimate the potential for apparent competition between each host pair and to compare expected versus realised attack rates across the system. Shared natural enemies were found to structure host herbivore communities within and across habitat boundaries. The size of this effect was related to the resource availability of habitats, such that the habitat with high nutrient input exerted a stronger effect. The overall potential for apparent competition declined with increasing land-use intensity in the surrounding landscape and exhibited a discernible impact on realised attack rates upon herbivore species. Thus, our results suggest that increasing the proportion of perennial habitat in agroecosystems could increase the prevalence of indirect effects such as apparent competition among insect herbivore communities, potentially leading to enhanced population regulation via increased attack rates from natural enemies like parasitoid wasps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E Miller
- Department of Ecology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Guillermo Aguilera
- Department of Ecology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Bommarco
- Department of Ecology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomas Roslin
- Department of Ecology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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7
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González González C, Lara García T, Jardón-Barbolla L, Benítez M. Linking Coleopteran Diversity With Agricultural Management of Maize-Based Agroecosystems in Oaxaca, Mexico. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.590720] [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
Biodiversity is known to be influenced by agricultural practices in many ways. However, it is necessary to understand how this relation takes place in particular agroecosystems, sociocultural contexts and for specific biological groups, especially in highly biodiverse places. Also, in order to systematically study and track how biodiversity responds or changes with agricultural practices, it is necessary to find groups that can be used as practical indicators. We conduct a study of beetle (Coleoptera) diversity in maize-based agricultural plots with heterogeneous management practices in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, a region with outstanding biodiversity and a long agricultural history. We use a mixture of local knowledge and multivariate statistics to group the plots into two broad and contrasting management categories (traditional vs. industrialized). Then, we present an analysis of Coleopteran diversity for each category, showing higher levels across different diversity indexes for the traditional plots. Specifically, Coleopteran guilds associated with natural pest control and soil conservation are more common in traditional plots than in industrialized ones, while herbivorous beetles are more abundant in the second. Also, our results let us postulate the Curculionidae family as an indicator of both management type and overall Coleopteran diversity in the agricultural lands of the study site. We discuss our results in terms of the agricultural matrix quality and its role in strategies that favor the coexistence of culturally meaningful agricultural systems and local biodiversity.
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8
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Philpott SM, Lucatero A, Bichier P, Egerer MH, Jha S, Lin B, Liere H. Natural enemy-herbivore networks along local management and landscape gradients in urban agroecosystems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02201. [PMID: 32578260 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecological networks can provide insight into how biodiversity loss and changes in species interactions impact the delivery of ecosystem services. In agroecosystems that vary in management practices, quantifying changes in ecological network structure across gradients of local and landscape composition can inform both the ecology and function of productive agroecosystems. In this study, we examined natural-enemy-herbivore co-occurrence networks associated with Brassica oleracea (cole crops), a common crop in urban agricultural systems. Specifically, we investigated how local management characteristics of urban community gardens and the landscape composition around them affect (1) the abundance of B. oleracea herbivores and their natural enemies, (2) the natural-enemy : herbivore ratio, and (3) natural-enemy-herbivore co-occurrence network metrics. We sampled herbivores and natural enemies in B. oleracea plants in 24 vegetable gardens in the California, USA central coast region. We also collected information on garden characteristics and land-use cover of the surrounding landscape (2 km radius). We found that increased floral richness and B. oleracea abundance were associated with increased parasitoid abundance, non-aphid herbivore abundance, and increased network vulnerability; increased vegetation complexity suppressed parasitoid abundance, but still boosted network vulnerability. High agricultural land-use cover in the landscape surrounding urban gardens was associated with lower predator, parasitoid, and non-aphid herbivore abundance, lower natural-enemy : herbivore ratios, lower interaction richness, and higher trophic complementarity. While we did not directly measure pest control, higher interaction richness, higher vulnerability, and lower trophic complementarity are associated with higher pest control services in other agroecosystems. Thus, if gardens function similarly to other agroecosystems, our results indicate that increasing vegetation complexity, including trees, shrubs, and plant richness, especially within gardens located in intensively farmed landscapes, could potentially enhance the biodiversity and abundance of natural enemies, supporting ecological networks associated with higher pest control services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy M Philpott
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Azucena Lucatero
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Peter Bichier
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Monika H Egerer
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Shalene Jha
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 205 W. 24th Street, 401 Biological Laboratories, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Brenda Lin
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Heidi Liere
- Department of Environmental Studies, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, Casey 210, Washington, 98122, USA
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9
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Adorno BFCB, Barros FM, Cezar Ribeiro M, Silva VX, Hasui É. Landscape heterogeneity shapes bird phylogenetic responses at forest–matrix interfaces in Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fábio M. Barros
- CPEA (Consultoria, Planejamento e Estudos Ambientais) São Paulo Brazil
| | - Milton Cezar Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Biodiversidade Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Vinícius X. Silva
- Instituto de Ciências da NaturezaUniversidade Federal de Alfenas Alfenas Brazil
| | - Érica Hasui
- Instituto de Ciências da NaturezaUniversidade Federal de Alfenas Alfenas Brazil
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10
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Martínez‐Núñez C, Manzaneda AJ, Lendínez S, Pérez AJ, Ruiz‐Valenzuela L, Rey PJ. Interacting effects of landscape and management on plant–solitary bee networks in olive orchards. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martínez‐Núñez
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Antonio J. Manzaneda
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Sandra Lendínez
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Antonio J. Pérez
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Luis Ruiz‐Valenzuela
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Pedro J. Rey
- Department of Biología Animal Biología Vegetal y Ecología Universidad de Jaén Jaén Spain
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11
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Otieno NE, Jacobs SM, Pryke JS. Maize‐field complexity and farming system influence insectivorous birds’ contribution to arthropod herbivore regulation. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nickson E. Otieno
- Zoology Department National Museums of Kenya Nairobi Kenya
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University, Matieland Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Shayne M. Jacobs
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University, Matieland Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - James S. Pryke
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University, Matieland Stellenbosch South Africa
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12
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Using Network Theory to Understand and Predict Biological Invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:831-843. [PMID: 31155422 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding and predicting biological invasions is challenging because of the complexity of many interacting players. A holistic approach is needed with the potential to simultaneously consider all relevant effects and effectors. Using networks to describe the relevant anthropogenic and ecological factors, from community-level to global scales, promises advances in understanding aspects of invasion from propagule pressure, through establishment, spread, and ecological impact of invaders. These insights could lead to development of new tools for prevention and management of invasions that are based on species' network characteristics and use of networks to predict the ecological effects of invaders. Here, we review the findings from network ecology that show the most promise for invasion biology and identify pressing needs for future research.
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Souza IL, Tomazella VB, Santos AJN, Moraes T, Silveira LCP. Parasitoids diversity in organic Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum) associated with Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Marigold (Tagetes erecta ). BRAZ J BIOL 2018; 79:603-611. [PMID: 30540103 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.185417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important crops in Brazilian farming. Many insect are related to this crop, compromising the quantity and quality of the fruit, representing a production problem. Vegetable diversification is one of the main elements that can be managed for suppressing undesirable insect populations in organic production, once that supports the presence of natural enemies. The basil Ocimum basilicum L. and the marigold Tagetes erecta L. are attractive and nutritious plants for parasitoids, being important candidates for diversified crops. This study evaluated the parasitoids attracted by the association of basil and marigold to organic sweet pepper crop. The experiment comprised three treatments: a) sweet pepper monoculture; b) sweet pepper and basil intercropping; c) sweet pepper and marigold intercropping. Hymenopteran parasitoids were collected over 14 weeks. 268 individuals from 12 families and 41 taxa were collected. Sweet pepper monoculture, sweet pepper-basil intercropping, and sweet pepper-marigold intercropping hosted 40, 98, and 130 individuals and richness of 24, 24, and 23, respectively. Furthermore, the insects of greater abundance in the basil and marigold were different to those collected in the monoculture. The number of parasitoids increased in the associations of sweet pepper with basil and marigold, providing advantages in the use of vegetable diversification for the organic pepper crops management.
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Affiliation(s)
- I L Souza
- Laboratório de Controle Biológico Conservativo, Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci, 1001, Kennedy, CEP 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - V B Tomazella
- Laboratório de Controle Biológico Conservativo, Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci, 1001, Kennedy, CEP 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - A J N Santos
- Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento - CONAB, Rua Tobias Barreto, s/n, Bebedouro, CEP 57013-000, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | - T Moraes
- Laboratório de Ecologia Molecular de Artrópodes, Departamento de Entomologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" - ESALQ, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
| | - L C P Silveira
- Laboratório de Controle Biológico Conservativo, Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Av. Doutor Sylvio Menicucci, 1001, Kennedy, CEP 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
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14
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Understanding negative biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship in semi-natural wildflower strips. Oecologia 2018; 189:185-197. [PMID: 30535951 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4305-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) in highly controlled experiments often yield results incompatible with observations from natural systems: experimental results often reveal positive relationships between diversity and productivity, while for natural systems, zero or even negative relationships have been reported. The discrepancy may arise due to a limited or closed local species pool in experiments, while natural systems in meta-community contexts experience dynamic processes, i.e., colonization and extinctions. In our study, we analysed plant community properties and above-ground biomass within a semi-natural (i.e., not weeded) experiment in an agricultural landscape. Eleven replicates with four different diversity levels were created from a species pool of 20 wildflower species. We found an overall significant negative relationship between total diversity and productivity. This relationship likely resulted from invasion resistance: in plots sown with low species numbers, we observed colonization by low-performing species; colonization increased species richness but did not contribute substantially to productivity. Interestingly, when analysing the biomass of the sown and the colonizer species separately, we observed in both cases positive BEF relationships, while this relationship was negative for the whole system. A structural equation modelling approach revealed that higher biomass of the sown species was linked to higher species richness, while the positive BEF relationship of the colonizers was indirect and constrained by the sown species biomass. Our results suggest that, in semi-natural conditions common in extensive agroecosystems, the negative BEF relationship results from the interplay between local dominant species and colonization from the regional species pool by subordinate species.
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15
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Osorio-Canadas S, Arnan X, Bassols E, Vicens N, Bosch J. Seasonal dynamics in a cavity-nesting bee-wasp community: Shifts in composition, functional diversity and host-parasitoid network structure. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205854. [PMID: 30325966 PMCID: PMC6191139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological communities are composed of species that interact with each other forming complex interaction networks. Although interaction networks have been usually treated as static entities, interactions show high levels of temporal variation, mainly due to temporal species turnover. Changes in taxonomic composition are likely to bring about changes in functional trait composition. Because functional traits influence the likelihood that two species interact, temporal changes in functional composition and structure may ultimately affect interaction network structure. Here, we study the seasonality (spring vs. summer) in a community of cavity-nesting solitary bees and wasps (‘hosts’) and their nest associates (‘parasitoids’). We analyze seasonal changes in taxonomic compostion and structure, as well as in functional traits, of the host and parasitoid communities. We also analyze whether these changes result in changes in percent parasitism and interaction network structure. Our host and parasitoid communities are strongly seasonal. Host species richness increases from spring to summer. This results in important seasonal changes in functional composition of the host community. The spring community (almost exclusively composed of bees) is characterized by large, univoltine, adult-wintering host species. The summer community (composed of both bees and wasps) is dominated by smaller, bivoltine, prepupa-wintering species. Host functional diversity is higher in summer than in spring. Importantly, these functional changes are not only explained by the addition of wasp species in summer. Functional changes in the parasitoid community are much less pronounced, probably due to the lower parasitoid species turnover. Despite these important taxonomic and functional changes, levels of parasitism did not change across seasons. Two network metrics (generality and interaction evenness) increased from spring to summer. These changes can be explained by the seasonal increase in species richness (and therefore network size). The seasonal shift from a bee-dominated community in spring to a wasp-dominated community in summer suggests a change in ecosystem function, with emphasis on pollination in spring to emphasis on predation in summer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emili Bassols
- Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, Olot, Spain
| | - Narcís Vicens
- Servei de Medi Ambient de la Diputació de Girona, Pujada Sant Martí 4–5, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Staab M, Pufal G, Tscharntke T, Klein A. Trap nests for bees and wasps to analyse trophic interactions in changing environments—A systematic overview and user guide. Methods Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Staab
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyFaculty of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS)University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Gesine Pufal
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyFaculty of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | | | - Alexandra‐Maria Klein
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyFaculty of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
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17
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Gresty CEA, Clare E, Devey DS, Cowan RS, Csiba L, Malakasi P, Lewis OT, Willis KJ. Flower preferences and pollen transport networks for cavity-nesting solitary bees: Implications for the design of agri-environment schemes. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:7574-7587. [PMID: 30151172 PMCID: PMC6106195 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Floral foraging resources are valuable for pollinator conservation on farmland, and their provision is encouraged by agri-environment schemes in many countries. Across Europe, wildflower seed mixtures are widely sown on farmland to encourage pollinators, but the extent to which key pollinator groups such as solitary bees exploit and benefit from these resources is unclear. We used high-throughput sequencing of 164 pollen samples extracted from the brood cells of six common cavity-nesting solitary bee species (Osmia bicornis, Osmia caerulescens, Megachile versicolor, Megachile ligniseca, Megachile centuncularis and Hylaeus confusus) which are widely distributed across the UK and Europe. We documented their pollen use across 19 farms in southern England, UK, revealing their forage plants and examining the structure of their pollen transport networks. Of the 32 plant species included currently in sown wildflower mixes, 15 were recorded as present within close foraging range of the bees on the study farms, but only Ranunculus acris L. was identified within the pollen samples. Rosa canina L. was the most commonly found of the 23 plant species identified in the pollen samples, suggesting that, in addition to providing a nesting resource for Megachile leafcutter bees, it may be an important forage plant for these species. Higher levels of connectance and nestedness were characteristic of pollen transport networks on farms with abundant floral resources, which may increase resilience to species loss. Our data suggest that plant species promoted currently by agri-environment schemes are not optimal for solitary bee foraging. If a diverse community of pollinators is to be supported on UK and European farmland, additional species such as R. canina should be encouraged to meet the foraging requirements of solitary bees.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Katherine J. Willis
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Royal Botanic Gardens, KewRichmondUK
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18
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Olson DM, Prescott KK, Zeilinger AR, Hou S, Coffin AW, Smith CM, Ruberson JR, Andow DA. Landscape Effects on Reproduction of Euschistus servus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a Mobile, Polyphagous, Multivoltine Arthropod Herbivore. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 47:660-668. [PMID: 29635326 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Landscape factors can significantly influence arthropod populations. The economically important brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a native mobile, polyphagous and multivoltine pest of many crops in southeastern United States and understanding the relative influence of local and landscape factors on their reproduction may facilitate population management. Finite rate of population increase (λ) was estimated in four major crop hosts-maize, peanut, cotton, and soybean-over 3 yr in 16 landscapes of southern Georgia. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to characterize the surrounding landscape structure. LASSO regression was used to identify the subset of local and landscape characteristics and predator densities that account for variation in λ. The percentage area of maize, peanut and woodland and pasture in the landscape and the connectivity of cropland had no influence on E. servus λ. The best model for explaining variation in λ included only four predictor variables: whether or not the sampled field was a soybean field, mean natural enemy density in the field, percentage area of cotton in the landscape and the percentage area of soybean in the landscape. Soybean was the single most important variable for determining E. servus λ, with much greater reproduction in soybean fields than in other crop species. Penalized regression and post-selection inference provide conservative estimates of the landscape-scale determinants of E. servus reproduction and indicate that a relatively simple set of in-field and landscape variables influences reproduction in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn M Olson
- Crop Protection, Research, and Management Unit, USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA
| | - Kristina K Prescott
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Adam R Zeilinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Suqin Hou
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Alisa W Coffin
- Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA
| | - Coby M Smith
- Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA
| | - John R Ruberson
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - David A Andow
- Department of Entomology and Center for Community Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
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19
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Pellissier L, Albouy C, Bascompte J, Farwig N, Graham C, Loreau M, Maglianesi MA, Melián CJ, Pitteloud C, Roslin T, Rohr R, Saavedra S, Thuiller W, Woodward G, Zimmermann NE, Gravel D. Comparing species interaction networks along environmental gradients. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:785-800. [PMID: 28941124 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of species composition and their interactions, in the form of interaction networks, is required to understand processes shaping their distribution over time and space. As such, comparing ecological networks along environmental gradients represents a promising new research avenue to understand the organization of life. Variation in the position and intensity of links within networks along environmental gradients may be driven by turnover in species composition, by variation in species abundances and by abiotic influences on species interactions. While investigating changes in species composition has a long tradition, so far only a limited number of studies have examined changes in species interactions between networks, often with differing approaches. Here, we review studies investigating variation in network structures along environmental gradients, highlighting how methodological decisions about standardization can influence their conclusions. Due to their complexity, variation among ecological networks is frequently studied using properties that summarize the distribution or topology of interactions such as number of links, connectance, or modularity. These properties can either be compared directly or using a procedure of standardization. While measures of network structure can be directly related to changes along environmental gradients, standardization is frequently used to facilitate interpretation of variation in network properties by controlling for some co-variables, or via null models. Null models allow comparing the deviation of empirical networks from random expectations and are expected to provide a more mechanistic understanding of the factors shaping ecological networks when they are coupled with functional traits. As an illustration, we compare approaches to quantify the role of trait matching in driving the structure of plant-hummingbird mutualistic networks, i.e. a direct comparison, standardized by null models and hypothesis-based metaweb. Overall, our analysis warns against a comparison of studies that rely on distinct forms of standardization, as they are likely to highlight different signals. Fostering a better understanding of the analytical tools available and the signal they detect will help produce deeper insights into how and why ecological networks vary along environmental gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Pellissier
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Camille Albouy
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,IFREMER, unité Ecologie et Modèles pour l'Halieutique, rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP21105, 44311, Nantes cedex 3, France
| | - Jordi Bascompte
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str.8, D-35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Graham
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Michel Loreau
- Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling, Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station, CNRS and Paul Sabatier University, 09200, Moulis, France
| | - Maria Alejandra Maglianesi
- Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, 2050, San José, Costa Rica.,Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) and Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Carlos J Melián
- Department of Fish Ecology and Evolution, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
| | - Camille Pitteloud
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Tomas Roslin
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rudolf Rohr
- Department of Biology - Ecology and Evolution, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Serguei Saavedra
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massashusets Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, MA, U.S.A
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- University of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LECA (Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine), F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Guy Woodward
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, U.K
| | - Niklaus E Zimmermann
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Gravel
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Ecology, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Québec, Canada
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20
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Gervais A, Fournier V, Sheffield CS, Chagnon M. Assessing Wild Bee Biodiversity in Cranberry Agroenvironments: Influence of Natural Habitats. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:1424-1432. [PMID: 28854658 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The conservation of bee populations for pollination in agricultural landscapes has attracted a lot of recent research interest, especially for crop industries undergoing expansion to meet increased production demands. In Canada, much growth has been occurring with commercial cranberry production, a field crop which is largely dependent on bee pollination. Wild bee pollinators could be negatively impacted by losses of natural habitat surrounding cranberry fields to accommodate increased production, but growers have little insight on how to manage their lands to maximize the presence of wild bees. Here, we described a 2-yr study where bee diversity and species composition were investigated to better understand the dynamic between natural habitat and cranberry fields. Bees were sampled using pan-traps and hand netting both within cranberry fields and in one of the three adjacent natural habitat types once a week during the crop flowering period. We found that bee community composition among cranberry fields did not differ based on the respective adjacent habitat type, but fields bordered by meadows were marginally less diverse than fields bordered by forest. As one would expect, field and natural habitat communities differed in terms of species composition and species richness. There was no evidence that one type of natural habitat was more favorable for the bees than another. Future agrobiodiversity studies should simultaneously examine bee diversity comprised in both crop fields and adjacent natural environments to better understand the species dynamics essential to the preservation of pollination services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Gervais
- Centre de recherche en innovation sur les végétaux (CRIV), Université Laval, 2480, boulevard Hochelaga, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6
| | - Valérie Fournier
- Centre de recherche en innovation sur les végétaux (CRIV), Université Laval, 2480, boulevard Hochelaga, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6
| | - Cory S Sheffield
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum, 2445 Albert Street, Regina, SK, S4P 4W7
| | - Madeleine Chagnon
- Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 405, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal, QC, H2L 2C4
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21
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Boscolo D, Tokumoto PM, Ferreira PA, Ribeiro JW, Santos JSD. Positive responses of flower visiting bees to landscape heterogeneity depend on functional connectivity levels. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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22
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Avalos DS, Mangeaud A, Valladares GR. Parasitism and Food Web Structure in Defoliating Lepidoptera - Parasitoid Communities on Soybean. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:712-717. [PMID: 27299866 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-016-0416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Food webs are usually regarded as snapshots of community feeding interactions. Here, we describe the yearly and cumulative structure of parasitoid-caterpillar food webs on soybean in central Argentina, analyzing parasitism rates and their variability in relation to parasitoid diversity and food web vulnerability in the system. Lepidoptera larvae were collected along four seasons from soybean crops and reared in laboratory to obtain and identify adults and parasitoids. Eleven species of defoliating Lepidoptera and ten parasitoid species were recorded. Food web statistics showed rather low annual variability, with most variation coefficients in the order of 0.20 and generality showing the most stable values. Parasitism showed the highest variability, which was independent of parasitoid diversity and food web vulnerability, although parasitism rates were negatively related to parasitoid richness. Our study highlights the need to consider food web structure and variability in order to understand the functioning of ecological communities in general and in extensive agricultural ecosystems in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Avalos
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Univ Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Valparaíso S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - A Mangeaud
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - G R Valladares
- Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
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23
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Sandau N, Fabian Y, Bruggisser OT, Rohr RP, Naisbit RE, Kehrli P, Aebi A, Bersier L. The relative contributions of species richness and species composition to ecosystem functioning. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Sandau
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
- Ecosystem Dynamics, Swiss Federal Inst. for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Fabian
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Odile T. Bruggisser
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Rudolf P. Rohr
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Russell E. Naisbit
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Patrik Kehrli
- Station de recherche Agroscope Changins – Wädenswil ACW Nyon Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Aebi
- Laboratory of Soil Biology Univ. of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Louis‐Félix Bersier
- Unit of Ecology and Evolution Univ. of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 10 VH‐1700 Fribourg Switzerland
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24
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Effects of agricultural intensification on ability of natural enemies to control aphids. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8024. [PMID: 25620737 PMCID: PMC4306106 DOI: 10.1038/srep08024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Agricultural intensification through increasing fertilization input and cropland expansion has caused rapid loss of semi-natural habitats and the subsequent loss of natural enemies of agricultural pests. It is however extremely difficult to disentangle the effects of agricultural intensification on arthropod communities at multiple spatial scales. Based on a two-year study of seventeen 1500 m-radius sites, we analyzed the relative importance of nitrogen input and cropland expansion on cereal aphids and their natural enemies. Both the input of nitrogen fertilizer and cropland expansion benefited cereal aphids more than primary parasitoids and leaf-dwelling predators, while suppressing ground-dwelling predators, leading to an disturbance of the interspecific relationship. The responses of natural enemies to cropland expansion were asymmetric and species-specific, with an increase of primary parasitism but a decline of predator/pest ratio with the increasing nitrogen input. As such, agricultural intensification (increasing nitrogen fertilizer and cropland expansion) can destabilize the interspecific relationship and lead to biodiversity loss. To this end, sustainable pest management needs to balance the benefit and cost of agricultural intensification and restore biocontrol service through proliferating the role of natural enemies at multiple scales.
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25
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Astegiano J, Guimarães PR, Cheptou PO, Vidal MM, Mandai CY, Ashworth L, Massol F. Persistence of Plants and Pollinators in the Face of Habitat Loss. ADV ECOL RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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26
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Bennett AB, Meehan TD, Gratton C, Isaacs R. Modeling pollinator community response to contrasting bioenergy scenarios. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110676. [PMID: 25365559 PMCID: PMC4217732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United States, policy initiatives aimed at increasing sources of renewable energy are advancing bioenergy production, especially in the Midwest region, where agricultural landscapes dominate. While policy directives are focused on renewable fuel production, biodiversity and ecosystem services will be impacted by the land-use changes required to meet production targets. Using data from field observations, we developed empirical models for predicting abundance, diversity, and community composition of flower-visiting bees based on land cover. We used these models to explore how bees might respond under two contrasting bioenergy scenarios: annual bioenergy crop production and perennial grassland bioenergy production. In the two scenarios, 600,000 ha of marginal annual crop land or marginal grassland were converted to perennial grassland or annual row crop bioenergy production, respectively. Model projections indicate that expansion of annual bioenergy crop production at this scale will reduce bee abundance by 0 to 71%, and bee diversity by 0 to 28%, depending on location. In contrast, converting annual crops on marginal soil to perennial grasslands could increase bee abundance from 0 to 600% and increase bee diversity between 0 and 53%. Our analysis of bee community composition suggested a similar pattern, with bee communities becoming less diverse under annual bioenergy crop production, whereas bee composition transitioned towards a more diverse community dominated by wild bees under perennial bioenergy crop production. Models, like those employed here, suggest that bioenergy policies have important consequences for pollinator conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley B. Bennett
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Timothy D. Meehan
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Claudio Gratton
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Rufus Isaacs
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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27
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Sandau N, Rohr RP, Naisbit RE, Fabian Y, Bruggisser OT, Kehrli P, Aebi A, Bersier LF. Including community composition in biodiversity-productivity models. Methods Ecol Evol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Sandau
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Rudolf P. Rohr
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
- Integrative Ecology Group; Estacion Biologica de Doñana; EBD-CSIC 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Russell E. Naisbit
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Fabian
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Odile T. Bruggisser
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Patrik Kehrli
- Station de recherche Agroscope Changins - Wädenswil ACW; 1260 Nyon Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Aebi
- Laboratory of Soil Biology; University of Neuchâtel; Emile-Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Louis-Félix Bersier
- Department of Biology; University of Fribourg; Chemin du Musée 10 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
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28
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Somme L, Mayer C, Jacquemart AL. Multilevel spatial structure impacts on the pollination services of Comarum palustre (Rosaceae). PLoS One 2014; 9:e99295. [PMID: 24915450 PMCID: PMC4051681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat destruction and fragmentation accelerate pollinator decline, consequently disrupting ecosystem processes such as pollination. To date, the impacts of multilevel spatial structure on pollination services have rarely been addressed. We focused on the effects of population spatial structure on the pollination services of Comarum palustre at three levels (i.e. within-population, between-populations and landscape). For three years, we investigated 14 Belgian populations, which differed in their within-population flower density, population surface, closure (i.e. proportion of the population edge that consisted of woody elements) and isolation (i.e. percentage of woody area cover within a 500 m radius from the population centre). We tested whether these spatial characteristics impact on pollinator abundance and visitation rate and thus, reproductive success of C. palustre. Insects were observed in 15 randomly-chosen plots in each population. We tested for pollen limitation with supplemental hand-cross pollination. Bumble bees and solitary bees were the major pollinators through all populations. Within populations, plots with high flower densities attracted high numbers of bumble bees and other insects. High bumble bee and solitary bee abundance was observed in populations presenting high proportions of woody edges and in populations within landscapes presenting high proportions of woody areas. Seed set resulting from open pollination varied with bumble bee and solitary bee visitation rate, leading to increased pollen limitation when pollinators were scarce. Since the reproductive success depended on the visitation rate of the main pollinators, which depended on multilevel spatial structure, wetland management plans should pay special attention to favour a mosaic of biotopes, including nesting sites and food resources for insects. This study particularly supports the relevance of a mix wetlands and woody habitats to bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Somme
- Earth and Life Institute-Agronomy, Research Team Genetics, Reproduction, Populations, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Carolin Mayer
- Earth and Life Institute-Agronomy, Research Team Genetics, Reproduction, Populations, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Anne-Laure Jacquemart
- Earth and Life Institute-Agronomy, Research Team Genetics, Reproduction, Populations, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Benelli G, Benvenuti S, Desneux N, Canale A. Cephalaria transsylvanica-based flower strips as potential food source for bees during dry periods in European Mediterranean basin countries. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93153. [PMID: 24676345 PMCID: PMC3968061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of sown wildflower strips favours the establishment of pollinator communities, with special reference to social Apoidea. Here, we evaluated the late summer flowering Cephalaria transsylvanica as suitable species for strips providing food for pollinators in paucity periods. C. transsylvanica showed no particular requirements in terms of seed germination and growth during summer. This plant had an excellent potential of self-seeding and competitiveness towards weed competitors. C. transsylvanica prevented from entomophilous pollination showed inbreeding depression, with a decrease in seed-set and accumulation of seed energy reserves. However, C. transsylvanica did not appear to be vulnerable in terms of pollination biology since it had a wide range of pollinators including bees, hoverflies and Lepidoptera. C. transsylvanica was visited mainly by honeybees and bumblebees and these latter pollinators increased their visits on C. transsylvanica flowers during early autumn. This plant may be useful as an abundant source of pollen during food paucity periods, such as autumn. We proposed C. transsylvanica for incorporation into flower strips to be planted in non-cropped farmlands in intensively managed agricultural areas as well as in proximity of beehives. The latter option may facilitate the honeybees collecting pollen and nectar for the colony, thereby ensuring robustness to overcome the winter season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Benelli
- Insect Behaviour Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Benvenuti
- Agronomy and Agro-ecosystem Management Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicolas Desneux
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Angelo Canale
- Insect Behaviour Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Fabian Y, Sandau N, Bruggisser OT, Aebi A, Kehrli P, Rohr RP, Naisbit RE, Bersier LF. Plant diversity in a nutshell: testing for small-scale effects on trap nesting wild bees and wasps. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es13-00375.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane C. Stout
- School of Natural Sciences and Trinity Centre for Biodiversity Research; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin 2 Ireland
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Luck GW, Spooner PG, Watson DM, Watson SJ, Saunders ME. Interactions between almond plantations and native ecosystems: Lessons learned from north-western Victoria. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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