Basic and Applied Ecology最新文献

Crop gains induced by diversification exceed crop losses to diseases and weeds in a low-input rice cultivation system

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-03-03 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.03.001

Koloina Rahajaharilaza , Cyrille Violle , Bertrand Muller , Kirsten vom Brocke , Jean Benoît Morel , Rémi Pelissier , Elsa Ballini , Delphine Luquet , Perle Ramavovololona , Florian Fort , Lucie Mahaut

Crop losses to pests, or crop gains to diversification: what matters most? This is a pivotal question for the acceptance of crop diversification solutions by farmers and breeders. At the intraspecific level in particular, the magnitude of beneficial effects of mixing varieties on crop yield compared to disease attacks and weed invasion in the absence of pesticide remains questioned. Here, we quantified for the first time the relative importance of different types of biotic interactions – crop-crop interactions, crop-fungi interactions and crop-weed interactions, on grain yields in a region of the world where alternative agricultural practices are urgently needed to face the multiple pressures induced by global changes. We evaluated the performance of ten upland rice varieties of Madagascar highlands using a field trial where all varieties were grown in pure stands and in bi-variety mixtures. Grain production and disease attacks by Pyricularia oryzea were assessed in all varieties and plots. Weed biomass was recorded in all plots. We also measured plant traits involved in plant-plant interactions - plant height and flowering time in particular - for all plots and varieties to identify generic assembly rules for optimizing the performance of varietal mixtures. We found strong positive effects of rice mixture on both crop yield and pathogen resistance while weed biomass remained constant and high whatever the experimental condition. When statistically controlling for one pressure, we demonstrated that the beneficial effects of crop-crop interactions on yield largely overcame the negative effects of crop-fungi and crop-weed interactions. The average height of varieties in mixtures as well as their height plasticity had strong predictive power of crop yields, confirming the great potential of trait-based approaches to design innovative cropping system. Overall, the predominant, positive effect of varietal mixtures over disease and weed pressures represents a key argument for crop diversification.

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引用次数: 0

Unpacking the fitness consequences of a warmer spring on an overwintering butterfly

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.005

Richard J Walters , Kajsa Karlsson , Filip Beckman , Henrik G Smith , Magne Friberg

Declining butterfly abundance over recent decades coincides with both habitat loss and increasingly warmer springs. Warmer temperatures could pose a problem for ‘capital’ breeders, especially those species that enter winter diapause as a pupa or adult, since a higher metabolic rate pre-eclosion is expected to further deplete lipid stores needed for egg production. We undertook an experiment on Pieris napi, a butterfly that overwinters as a pupa, to assess to what extent access to nectar as an adult could compensate for a loss in body conditioning due to a warmer (6 °C vs. 2 °C) and or longer (195 vs. 145 days) post-diapause treatment. We found that a warmer and longer post-diapause time significantly increased the proportion of body mass lost between pupation and adult emergence, which in turn reduced lifetime fecundity for females in the water control treatment. However, when given access to a sugar/honey solution, a higher rate of egg laying and an extended lifespan allowed females to offset any fecundity disadvantage. The full consequences of a warmer post-diapause treatment were partially obscured by an elevated rate of egg laying during the first week, presumably due to a preceding effect of temperature on metabolic rate. Structural equation modelling suggests that the direct and indirect benefits of feeding on nectar as an adult double lifetime fecundity. We conclude that while potential reproduction may be limited by the availability of essential fatty acids acquired as a larva, other nutrients available in nectar are needed to realise a potential fecundity advantage. In this sense, butterflies could be considered an ‘income’ breeder, which can benefit from conservation actions that aim to provision more nectar resources in spring.

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引用次数: 0

Linking nutrient dynamics and phenology in Lupinus polyphyllus to identify the right timing for population control

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.006

Elin L. Blomqvist , Yves P. Klinger , Till Kleinebecker , R. Lutz Eckstein

In light of the decline of semi-natural grasslands, road verges have become important refuges for grassland plants, benefiting from the management regimes that resemble those of traditional grasslands. However, the value of road verges for grassland plants is threatened by the presence of invasive alien plant species such as Lupinus polyphyllus. Mowing is most effective for controlling invasive plants when the shoot:root ratio is high or when below-ground reserves are exhausted but seeds have not yet matured. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal time for mowing of L. polyphyllus based on the species nutrient dynamics and phenology. We photographed and collected whole lupine plants throughout one growing season, divided them into roots, leaves, and stem + inflorescence, and analyzed each fraction for three growth-limiting, phloem-mobile nutrients (N, P and K). The nutrient contents in roots were lowest during the flowering phase, while the nutrient contents in stems + inflorescences were lowest during the early flowering phase and increased until the seed ripening phase, before declining again in the seed dispersal phase. Leaf nutrient contents showed a general decrease throughout the season. Shoot:root ratios of nutrient contents were also maximized during flowering. Our conclusion is that mowing will weaken L. polyphyllus most when carried out between phenological phases 2 (less than 50% of flowers open) and 4 (more than 50% of flowers withering), with the most optimal timing being during phase 3, i.e., when more than 50% of flowers are open. Concerning the heterogeneity within L. polyphyllus populations, the phenological assessment before management should prioritize individuals that have progressed furthest in their development.

{"title":"Linking nutrient dynamics and phenology in Lupinus polyphyllus to identify the right timing for population control","authors":"Elin L. Blomqvist , Yves P. Klinger , Till Kleinebecker , R. Lutz Eckstein","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In light of the decline of semi-natural grasslands, road verges have become important refuges for grassland plants, benefiting from the management regimes that resemble those of traditional grasslands. However, the value of road verges for grassland plants is threatened by the presence of invasive alien plant species such as <em>Lupinus polyphyllus</em>. Mowing is most effective for controlling invasive plants when the shoot:root ratio is high or when below-ground reserves are exhausted but seeds have not yet matured. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal time for mowing of <em>L. polyphyllus</em> based on the species nutrient dynamics and phenology. We photographed and collected whole lupine plants throughout one growing season, divided them into roots, leaves, and stem + inflorescence, and analyzed each fraction for three growth-limiting, phloem-mobile nutrients (N, P and K). The nutrient contents in roots were lowest during the flowering phase, while the nutrient contents in stems + inflorescences were lowest during the early flowering phase and increased until the seed ripening phase, before declining again in the seed dispersal phase. Leaf nutrient contents showed a general decrease throughout the season. Shoot:root ratios of nutrient contents were also maximized during flowering. Our conclusion is that mowing will weaken <em>L. polyphyllus</em> most when carried out between phenological phases 2 (less than 50% of flowers open) and 4 (more than 50% of flowers withering), with the most optimal timing being during phase 3, i.e., when more than 50% of flowers are open. Concerning the heterogeneity within <em>L. polyphyllus</em> populations, the phenological assessment before management should prioritize individuals that have progressed furthest in their development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"84 ","pages":"Pages 61-68"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Beyond pollination – The neglected contribution of ground-nesting bees to soil functions

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-14 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.003

Philippe Tschanz , Matthias Albrecht , Thomas Keller

While the pollination services provided by wild bees are now well recognized, their importance as soil ecosystem engineers has been largely overlooked, despite the fact that most species nest in the soil in self-excavated burrows. Here we provide an overview of the many direct and indirect effects of ground-nesting wild bees on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, soil functions, and ecosystem services. In particular, we discuss how ground-nesting bees move and mix substantial amounts of soil during nest construction, thereby altering soil physical properties (e.g., soil pore architecture, soil porosity, density) and soil functions (e.g., water and gas exchange), and act as geomorphic agents at larger scales (affecting, e.g., surface runoff and soil erosion). We also review how ground-nesting bees affect soil chemical and biological properties through their nesting activity, leading to the redistribution and accumulation of organic carbon and nutrients in the soil, providing hotspots for microbial activity, and introducing a range of organisms into the soil. Furthermore, we discuss the large-scale indirect effects on soils through their pollination functions, which shape plant communities and soil functions modulated by plants. Lastly, we highlight the role of ground-nesting bees as soil ecosystem engineers that complement the activity of other bioturbators in both space and time by occupying biogeographical niches where other bioturbators are largely absent, and by complementary activity peaks during the season. We emphasize the distinctive position of ground-nesting bees among soil fauna, acting as both pollinators and soil bioturbators, and conclude that ground-nesting bees deserve greater attention and recognition in future research and conservation policy as part of soil biodiversity and for their role as soil ecosystem engineers.

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引用次数: 0

Sheep grazing in vineyards benefits wild bees in vineyard embankments and sheep dung attracts dung beetles to vineyards

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.004

Felix Fornoff , Johanna Mattenklodt , Frauke Thul , Jörn Buse , Alexandra-Maria Klein , Jakob Hörl , Nicolas Schoof

Integrated sheep-vineyard systems are an example of ecological intensification. Sheep can replace mulching, thereby reducing the input of fossil fuels and agrochemicals. However, knowledge about the co-benefits of sheep grazing for biodiversity is lacking. This study examined the impact of grazing on wild bee diversity within terraced vineyards and vineyard embankments. Additionally, dung beetle colonization of sheep dung was investigated in the wine-growing region of southwestern Germany. Five vineyards and their terrace risers (embankments) had been grazed by sheep for several years, typically in a rotational system, or were managed conventionally by mulching as control. Wild bee diversity was compared in five pairs of grazed and non-grazed vineyards and five pairs of grazed and non-grazed embankments within one year. Dung beetle diversity, reared from sheep dung collected at three grazed vineyards, was also assessed. In the vineyards, bee abundance and species richness did not differ between grazed plots and mulched controls, but bee abundance increased with flower abundance, and bee species richness increased with flowering herb species richness. In contrast, on vineyard embankments, both species richness and abundance of wild bees were higher on grazed embankments compared to control embankments, whereas flower cover did not have any effect. At least 20 different dung beetle species, including threatened ones, were recorded in sheep droppings of grazed vineyards. This additional food resource may support dung beetle populations, contributing to overall insect biomass, with potential relevance for nature conservation. Our study shows that sheep grazing may support dung beetles, but does not affect bees in vineyards. However, allowing sheep to access vineyard embankments for vegetation management supports wild bees. Therefore, sheep grazing in vineyards offers opportunities for biodiversity conservation and maintaining ecosystem functions, though is not an all-in-one solution.

{"title":"Sheep grazing in vineyards benefits wild bees in vineyard embankments and sheep dung attracts dung beetles to vineyards","authors":"Felix Fornoff , Johanna Mattenklodt , Frauke Thul , Jörn Buse , Alexandra-Maria Klein , Jakob Hörl , Nicolas Schoof","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrated sheep-vineyard systems are an example of ecological intensification. Sheep can replace mulching, thereby reducing the input of fossil fuels and agrochemicals. However, knowledge about the co-benefits of sheep grazing for biodiversity is lacking. This study examined the impact of grazing on wild bee diversity within terraced vineyards and vineyard embankments. Additionally, dung beetle colonization of sheep dung was investigated in the wine-growing region of southwestern Germany. Five vineyards and their terrace risers (embankments) had been grazed by sheep for several years, typically in a rotational system, or were managed conventionally by mulching as control. Wild bee diversity was compared in five pairs of grazed and non-grazed vineyards and five pairs of grazed and non-grazed embankments within one year. Dung beetle diversity, reared from sheep dung collected at three grazed vineyards, was also assessed. In the vineyards, bee abundance and species richness did not differ between grazed plots and mulched controls, but bee abundance increased with flower abundance, and bee species richness increased with flowering herb species richness. In contrast, on vineyard embankments, both species richness and abundance of wild bees were higher on grazed embankments compared to control embankments, whereas flower cover did not have any effect. At least 20 different dung beetle species, including threatened ones, were recorded in sheep droppings of grazed vineyards. This additional food resource may support dung beetle populations, contributing to overall insect biomass, with potential relevance for nature conservation. Our study shows that sheep grazing may support dung beetles, but does not affect bees in vineyards. However, allowing sheep to access vineyard embankments for vegetation management supports wild bees. Therefore, sheep grazing in vineyards offers opportunities for biodiversity conservation and maintaining ecosystem functions, though is not an all-in-one solution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"84 ","pages":"Pages 14-20"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143436582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Protected areas do not outperform urban wastelands in supporting insect pollinators and pollination in central Germany

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.001

Panagiotis Theodorou , Wilhelm H.A. Osterman , Janna H. Mrozek , Bilyana S. Wild , Michael Beckmann , Julia Osterman , Robert J. Paxton

The Natura 2000 network is central to Europe's conservation efforts to address biodiversity decline, with ongoing plans to expand protected areas and restore habitats across the European Union. However, due to the relative scarcity of biodiversity assessments within Natura 2000 sites, our understanding of how effective these areas are at protecting biodiversity and how they can be improved remains limited. At the same time, urban green spaces and associated disturbed, unmanaged vacant areas, also known as urban wastelands, have gained attention as potential conservation targets due to their high insect species richness. Here, we assess and compare the biodiversity of pollinators within Natura 2000 reserves and urban wastelands to evaluate their relative value for biodiversity protection and pollination services. To achieve this, we compared pollinator communities, their flower-visitation patterns and pollination services using potted experimental plants in flower-rich Natura 2000 sites and paired non-protected, unmanaged, yet similarly flower-rich urban wastelands. While the total biomass and overall abundance of insects did not differ between the two habitat types, wild bee abundance and richness were higher in urban wastelands, whereas pollinator communities were more heterogeneous among Natura 2000 sites. Though insect flower-visitation network metrics were similar across both habitats, seed set of experimental plants was higher in urban wastelands compared to Natura 2000 sites, indicating lower pollination services in the nature reserves. Our findings suggest that while Natura 2000 areas contained unique biodiversity compared to urban wastelands, the current status of protected areas in Germany is inadequate to conserve biodiversity hotspots for bees, including endangered species and the pollination services they provide. We highlight the potential for urban areas to support biodiversity conservation as well as the need to develop targeted strategies for bee conservation in Natura 2000 areas.

{"title":"Protected areas do not outperform urban wastelands in supporting insect pollinators and pollination in central Germany","authors":"Panagiotis Theodorou , Wilhelm H.A. Osterman , Janna H. Mrozek , Bilyana S. Wild , Michael Beckmann , Julia Osterman , Robert J. Paxton","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Natura 2000 network is central to Europe's conservation efforts to address biodiversity decline, with ongoing plans to expand protected areas and restore habitats across the European Union. However, due to the relative scarcity of biodiversity assessments within Natura 2000 sites, our understanding of how effective these areas are at protecting biodiversity and how they can be improved remains limited. At the same time, urban green spaces and associated disturbed, unmanaged vacant areas, also known as urban wastelands, have gained attention as potential conservation targets due to their high insect species richness. Here, we assess and compare the biodiversity of pollinators within Natura 2000 reserves and urban wastelands to evaluate their relative value for biodiversity protection and pollination services. To achieve this, we compared pollinator communities, their flower-visitation patterns and pollination services using potted experimental plants in flower-rich Natura 2000 sites and paired non-protected, unmanaged, yet similarly flower-rich urban wastelands. While the total biomass and overall abundance of insects did not differ between the two habitat types, wild bee abundance and richness were higher in urban wastelands, whereas pollinator communities were more heterogeneous among Natura 2000 sites. Though insect flower-visitation network metrics were similar across both habitats, seed set of experimental plants was higher in urban wastelands compared to Natura 2000 sites, indicating lower pollination services in the nature reserves. Our findings suggest that while Natura 2000 areas contained unique biodiversity compared to urban wastelands, the current status of protected areas in Germany is inadequate to conserve biodiversity hotspots for bees, including endangered species and the pollination services they provide. We highlight the potential for urban areas to support biodiversity conservation as well as the need to develop targeted strategies for bee conservation in Natura 2000 areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"84 ","pages":"Pages 29-39"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143444846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Moving north under the eye of the public: The dispersal ecology of the Nosferatu spider, documented by citizen scientists

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.002

Nadja Pernat , Sascha Buchholz , Jan Ole Kriegs , Jan Steen , Hilke Hollens-Kuhr

Citizen participation in tracking the spread of newly introduced or invasive species is an effective tool in nature conservation. Recently arrived species that pose threats to humans, animals, or plants—especially those widely covered in the media—are particularly suitable for citizen-led monitoring.

In this study, we selected the Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana), a species spreading from the Mediterranean to northern Europe, to investigate whether its media coverage motivates citizens to report observations. Additionally, we aimed to gather insights into the spider's dispersal ecology through citizen science data. We utilized Google News and Google Videos as indicators of media presence, Google Trends as a proxy for public awareness, and citizen science observation data to assess the spider's distribution and ecology. Our analysis of 3,017 citizen science observations from different sources revealed a north-eastern spread of Z. spinimana. We found a temporal correlation between media presence, Google search activity, and the number of citizen-reported observations. Additionally, there was a strong spatial correlation between federal states with the highest media presence and the highest number of citizen reports. Most observations were recorded between August and October, with the majority occurring inside human dwellings. Hence, the current dispersion dynamics and extensive media coverage of Z. spinimana appear to be significant factors driving increased public awareness, as evidenced by higher search interest and a greater number of citizen observations.

{"title":"Moving north under the eye of the public: The dispersal ecology of the Nosferatu spider, documented by citizen scientists","authors":"Nadja Pernat , Sascha Buchholz , Jan Ole Kriegs , Jan Steen , Hilke Hollens-Kuhr","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Citizen participation in tracking the spread of newly introduced or invasive species is an effective tool in nature conservation. Recently arrived species that pose threats to humans, animals, or plants—especially those widely covered in the media—are particularly suitable for citizen-led monitoring.</div><div>In this study, we selected the Nosferatu spider (<em>Zoropsis spinimana</em>), a species spreading from the Mediterranean to northern Europe, to investigate whether its media coverage motivates citizens to report observations. Additionally, we aimed to gather insights into the spider's dispersal ecology through citizen science data. We utilized Google News and Google Videos as indicators of media presence, Google Trends as a proxy for public awareness, and citizen science observation data to assess the spider's distribution and ecology. Our analysis of 3,017 citizen science observations from different sources revealed a north-eastern spread of <em>Z. spinimana</em>. We found a temporal correlation between media presence, Google search activity, and the number of citizen-reported observations. Additionally, there was a strong spatial correlation between federal states with the highest media presence and the highest number of citizen reports. Most observations were recorded between August and October, with the majority occurring inside human dwellings. Hence, the current dispersion dynamics and extensive media coverage of <em>Z. spinimana</em> appear to be significant factors driving increased public awareness, as evidenced by higher search interest and a greater number of citizen observations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"84 ","pages":"Pages 40-49"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Effects of plant functional group removal on caterpillars (Gynaephora alpherakii) performance and plant production in an alpine meadow

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.01.009

Rui Cao , Han Chen , Jingran Cai , Chen Hang , Ziyu Zhang , Yingchun Miao , Peng Xie

Loss of plant functional group diversity has significant repercussions for ecosystem productivity globally. However, our understanding of how this loss of specific functional groups, particularly those providing non-food resources, influences herbivores and, consequently, ecosystem productivity remains limited. To elucidate these, we conducted a series of experiments consisting of (1) a two-factor field experiment, where we manipulated the forb abundance and caterpillar presence to assess their interactive effects on plant productivity and caterpillar performance, (2) a field complementary shelter addition experiment, designed to isolate and evaluate the effects of microclimatic changes resulting from forb removal, and (3) a confirmatory microcosm experiment to validate the field findings under controlled by monitoring the herbivory patterns. Our results show that forb removal significantly decreased the aboveground plant biomass (APB) by 41.3 %, but did not affect the APB of sedges. The presence of caterpillars significantly decreased total APB by 16.7 % and APB of sedges by 34.8 %, but these effects disappeared with forbs removed. Specifically, forb removal significantly increased caterpillar mortality rates by 319 % and decreased caterpillar body size by 27.2 %, which in turn diminished the herbivory pressure on sedges. Changes in caterpillar performance were correlated with maximum and average soil surface temperatures influenced by forb removal and the addition of shelters. Further investigation by the confirmatory microcosm experiment indicated that the absence of forbs decreased the feeding time of caterpillars and deprived caterpillars of refuge from the midday heat and intense sunlight, ultimately resulting in lower body size and higher larval mortality. Our findings suggest that forb removal disrupts trophic interactions, with potential cascading effects on herbivore populations, plant community structure, and ecosystem productivity. These results underscore the importance of plant functional diversity in maintaining ecosystem stability, especially under changing environmental conditions.

{"title":"Effects of plant functional group removal on caterpillars (Gynaephora alpherakii) performance and plant production in an alpine meadow","authors":"Rui Cao , Han Chen , Jingran Cai , Chen Hang , Ziyu Zhang , Yingchun Miao , Peng Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2025.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Loss of plant functional group diversity has significant repercussions for ecosystem productivity globally. However, our understanding of how this loss of specific functional groups, particularly those providing non-food resources, influences herbivores and, consequently, ecosystem productivity remains limited. To elucidate these, we conducted a series of experiments consisting of (1) a two-factor field experiment, where we manipulated the forb abundance and caterpillar presence to assess their interactive effects on plant productivity and caterpillar performance, (2) a field complementary shelter addition experiment, designed to isolate and evaluate the effects of microclimatic changes resulting from forb removal, and (3) a confirmatory microcosm experiment to validate the field findings under controlled by monitoring the herbivory patterns. Our results show that forb removal significantly decreased the aboveground plant biomass (APB) by 41.3 %, but did not affect the APB of sedges. The presence of caterpillars significantly decreased total APB by 16.7 % and APB of sedges by 34.8 %, but these effects disappeared with forbs removed. Specifically, forb removal significantly increased caterpillar mortality rates by 319 % and decreased caterpillar body size by 27.2 %, which in turn diminished the herbivory pressure on sedges. Changes in caterpillar performance were correlated with maximum and average soil surface temperatures influenced by forb removal and the addition of shelters. Further investigation by the confirmatory microcosm experiment indicated that the absence of forbs decreased the feeding time of caterpillars and deprived caterpillars of refuge from the midday heat and intense sunlight, ultimately resulting in lower body size and higher larval mortality. Our findings suggest that forb removal disrupts trophic interactions, with potential cascading effects on herbivore populations, plant community structure, and ecosystem productivity. These results underscore the importance of plant functional diversity in maintaining ecosystem stability, especially under changing environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"83 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143098333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Changes in weed vegetation across transects in maize fields

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.006

Franz Essl , Swen Follak , Michael Glaser

Weed vegetation in Central Europe has strongly changed during the last decades in response to changing agricultural practices. In addition, the cultivation of certain crops such as maize has expanded strongly. Fields are characterized by gradients from the edge to the interior, which may have ramifications on the weed vegetation. Here, we analyzed the composition of weed vegetation in maize fields from the edge to the interior documented by 101 transects consisting of three plots (10 m²) from Central Europe. In total, 203 species were recorded, including 107 (52 %) natives, 48 (24 %) archaeophytes, and 48 (24 %) neophytes. While the edge plots had a median species richness of nine species, the central plots (10 m from the field edge) and the interior plots (50 m from the field edge) both had a median of four species. Weed species cover declined more drastically from a median of 28.9 % total cover to 6.2 % to 5.0 %. Community indices (based on Ellenberg Indicator Values) changed along transects. Mean community index for light decreased towards the center, while the community index for moisture increased. The community index for nutrients increased from the edge to the central plot, but not to the interior plot. Species turnover was significant between the edge, central and interior plots. Species richness of the transects was influenced by landscape context and climate. Mean annual temperature, the amount of surrounding forests and maize fields were significant negative predictors of species richness, whereas surrounding water bodies, ruderal vegetation and built-up areas were significant positive predictors. Given that maize cultivation has rapidly expanded during the last decades, making it one of the most important crops in Central Europe, our study provides important insights into the composition of weed vegetation of a major, yet understudied component of modern agricultural landscapes.

{"title":"Changes in weed vegetation across transects in maize fields","authors":"Franz Essl , Swen Follak , Michael Glaser","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weed vegetation in Central Europe has strongly changed during the last decades in response to changing agricultural practices. In addition, the cultivation of certain crops such as maize has expanded strongly. Fields are characterized by gradients from the edge to the interior, which may have ramifications on the weed vegetation. Here, we analyzed the composition of weed vegetation in maize fields from the edge to the interior documented by 101 transects consisting of three plots (10 m<sup>2</sup>) from Central Europe. In total, 203 species were recorded, including 107 (52 %) natives, 48 (24 %) archaeophytes, and 48 (24 %) neophytes. While the edge plots had a median species richness of nine species, the central plots (10 m from the field edge) and the interior plots (50 m from the field edge) both had a median of four species. Weed species cover declined more drastically from a median of 28.9 % total cover to 6.2 % to 5.0 %. Community indices (based on Ellenberg Indicator Values) changed along transects. Mean community index for light decreased towards the center, while the community index for moisture increased. The community index for nutrients increased from the edge to the central plot, but not to the interior plot. Species turnover was significant between the edge, central and interior plots. Species richness of the transects was influenced by landscape context and climate. Mean annual temperature, the amount of surrounding forests and maize fields were significant negative predictors of species richness, whereas surrounding water bodies, ruderal vegetation and built-up areas were significant positive predictors. Given that maize cultivation has rapidly expanded during the last decades, making it one of the most important crops in Central Europe, our study provides important insights into the composition of weed vegetation of a major, yet understudied component of modern agricultural landscapes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Pages 1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143178857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Hoverfly assemblages in urban farms compared to urban parks in the city of Geneva

IF 3 2区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY

Basic and Applied Ecology

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.008

C. Heiniger, G. Pétremand, S. Rochefort

This study aims to assess whether urban farms are good providers of ecosystem services compared to other green infrastructures. To assess two services (pollinating and pest control services), hoverflies were monitored in three urban farms (Budé, Lignon and Tissot) and three urban parks (Franchises, Trembley and Beaulieu) in the canton of Geneva in 2017. The results show a large abundance of hoverflies in the parks and farms, particularly at the end of June. In terms of hoverfly diversity, 81 species were recorded, with 10 species accounting for around 80 % of the captures. The Shannon index shows that hoverfly diversity is significantly higher in the parks than in the farms at three out of 6 sampling dates. Of the five most abundant species in parks and farms taken together, three are aphidiphagous and can therefore play a biocontrol role in crops. The average proportion of aphidiphagous individuals is significantly higher in the farms than in the parks. In conclusion, studying hoverflies in urban environments has permitted to highlight differences in function and community composition between apparently similar habitats. However, we recommend limiting the sampling period to the month of June, which would reduce the work involved in sampling with Malaise traps, while retaining significant discriminatory power and limiting impact on syrphid fly communities. In order to encourage hoverflies in the city, it is crucial to maintain several stepping stone habitats within the urban matrix, to favor structures that will give them access to diversified food resources and to adopt maintenance practices that have the least impact on these communities. The introduction of native hedges and aquatic habitats could also be a source of diversification for the pool of species found in the city.

{"title":"Hoverfly assemblages in urban farms compared to urban parks in the city of Geneva","authors":"C. Heiniger, G. Pétremand, S. Rochefort","doi":"10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.baae.2024.11.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to assess whether urban farms are good providers of ecosystem services compared to other green infrastructures. To assess two services (pollinating and pest control services), hoverflies were monitored in three urban farms (Budé, Lignon and Tissot) and three urban parks (Franchises, Trembley and Beaulieu) in the canton of Geneva in 2017. The results show a large abundance of hoverflies in the parks and farms, particularly at the end of June. In terms of hoverfly diversity, 81 species were recorded, with 10 species accounting for around 80 % of the captures. The Shannon index shows that hoverfly diversity is significantly higher in the parks than in the farms at three out of 6 sampling dates. Of the five most abundant species in parks and farms taken together, three are aphidiphagous and can therefore play a biocontrol role in crops. The average proportion of aphidiphagous individuals is significantly higher in the farms than in the parks. In conclusion, studying hoverflies in urban environments has permitted to highlight differences in function and community composition between apparently similar habitats. However, we recommend limiting the sampling period to the month of June, which would reduce the work involved in sampling with Malaise traps, while retaining significant discriminatory power and limiting impact on syrphid fly communities. In order to encourage hoverflies in the city, it is crucial to maintain several stepping stone habitats within the urban matrix, to favor structures that will give them access to diversified food resources and to adopt maintenance practices that have the least impact on these communities. The introduction of native hedges and aquatic habitats could also be a source of diversification for the pool of species found in the city.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8708,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Applied Ecology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Pages 35-45"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143179820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0