Landscape heterogeneity and farming practice influence biological control

Abstract

We measured the impact of natural enemies on the population development on the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) on conventional and organic farms, By pairing farms with similar landscape features but different farming systems, we were able to separate the effects of farming practice and landscape features on the influence of natural enemies on R. padi abundance. Natural enemies had a greater impact on R. padi establishment on organic farms than on conventional farms. Irrespective of farming system, landscapes with abundant field margins and perennial crops were associated with low R. padi establishment. After establishment, there was no difference in ground-living enemy impact on R. padi population growth rate between farming systems, but impact was greater in landscapes where arable land was contiguous.

Keywords

agriculture; aphid-days; conservation predator enhancement; ecosystem service; predator-aphid interaction

Published in

Basic and Applied Ecology
2001, Volume: 2, number: 4, pages: 365-371
Publisher: URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

SLU Authors

• Östman, Örjan

  • Department of Ecology and Crop Production Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ekbom, Barbara

  • Department of Entomology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bengtsson, Jan

  • Department of Ecology and Crop Production Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1078/1439-1791-00072

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80315