The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

In a pot trial fungal endophytes (Neotyphodium spp) with different alkaloid profiles were investigated for their effects on numbers of a root aphid (Aploneura lentisci) in perennial ryegrass Some endophytes were also tested in different cultivars (Nui Samson and Impact) Two endophytes AR37 and AR6 strongly suppressed root aphid numbers Wildtype had fewer aphids than endophytefree plants and AR1 Endophytes producing peramine only (AR1 AR12 AR22) and an endophyte producing peramine and lolitrem B (AR23) did not differ from endophytefree There were no cultivar by endophyte interactions but cultivar affected the strength of aphid response to Wildtype Comparisons of alkaloid profiles suggest that ergovaline (in Wildtype and AR6) and epoxyjanthitrems (in AR37) may affect root aphids whereas peramine and lolitrem B do not Differences in herbage dry weight of plants and a significant relationship between herbage dry weight and root aphid numbers indicated this aphid reduces the growth rate of plants

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Extracts of the leaves of the New Zealand native tree Pseudowintera colorata (Raoul) showed insecticidal and antifeedant activity against the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel), and antifeedant activity against the Australian carpet beetle, Anthrenocerus australis (Hope). Assay-directed fractionation showed that two sesquiterpene dialdehydes, polygodial and 9-deoxymuzigadial, were responsible for these activities. Both compounds had similar antifeedant and insecticidal activity at rates from 3 to 0.4 mg/g wool in bioassays.

The effects of root herbivory at five densities of Sitona lepidus larvae (overall means between 4 and 333 larvae m -2 ) were assessed over 2 years on newly established perennial ryegrass-white clover swards in a small plot trial. Initial larval establishment in autumn 2003 was positively related to clover content in plots, and there was no significant impact on clover herbage yield in the first year. Nodule damage in winter 2003 increased with larval density, and results suggested an overcompensatory response in nodule production. A 34-35% reduction in clover yield between highest and lowest S. lepidus densities was recorded for both cultivars in the second year, with greatest losses in spring 2004. This coincided with reductions in clover root and stolon weights. Plant parasitic nematodes and grass grub larvae were most abundant in the plots with lowest weevil numbers. These results confirm field observations that S. lepidus is a major pest of pastures.