REAL

Large carabids enhance weed seed removal in organic fields and in large-scale, but not small-scale agriculture

Fischer, Christina and Riesch, Friederike and Tscharntke, Teja and Batáry, Péter (2021) Large carabids enhance weed seed removal in organic fields and in large-scale, but not small-scale agriculture. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY, 36. pp. 427-438. ISSN 0921-2973

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Abstract

Context Biological weed control by seed predators is an ecosystem service reducing weed population densities in agricultural landscapes. Drivers of seed predation are manifold and may change with spatial scales considered. Objectives We aimed at identifying the functional identity of seed predators, food web interactions and feeding links between weed and wheat seeds, considering the causal relationships between local and landscape-scale patterns. Methods We investigated direct and indirect effects of local management intensity in winter wheat fields (organic vs. conventional farming), local crop characteristics (wheat density and height), edge effects, landscape composition (measured as land-use diversity) and configuration (edge length) on carabid beetles of different body size (large vs. small carabids), and removal of weed and wheat seeds. Results We showed the importance of indirect local- and landscape-scale effects for weed seed removal via the activity density, but not assemblage composition, of large, but not small carabids, which was driven by few ubiquitous species. The activity density of large carabids increased with decreasing wheat density and increasing wheat height, which was highest in organic fields and in landscapes with low compositional and configurational heterogeneity. Further, the availability of nutrient-rich wheat seeds enhanced weed seed removal rates. Conclusions We found highest weed seed removal via large carabids in organic fields in large-scale agricultural landscapes. Predator body size and species identity as well as the availability of additional food items need to be taken into account for better predicting the biological weed control potential and reducing the use of plant protection products.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: organic farming; ecosystem services; edge effect; Weed control; Seed predation; Agricultural intensification;
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH540 Ecology / ökológia
SWORD Depositor: MTMT SWORD
Depositing User: MTMT SWORD
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2021 15:00
Last Modified: 11 Apr 2021 15:00
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/123657

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