Influence of Sewage Sludge and Fertilizer on the Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Fauna of an Old-Field Community

Larsen, Kirk J.; Purrington, Foster Forbes; Brewer, Susan R.; Taylor, Douglas H.

doi:10.1093/ee/25.2.452

Cited by 31 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…The results concur with the findings of previous studies involving organic soil amendments in old fields and annual cropping systems (Badejo et al, 1995;Brust, 1993;Culliney and Pimentel, 1985;Larsen et al, 1996;Morris, 1922;Riechert and Bishop, 1990). In our study, abundance of the predator complex was increased by more than 2Â on average in the compost mulch habitat than all other treatments (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The addition of organic amendments such as composts, plant-derived mulches, or animal manures to the ground has increased generalist predators in several agricultural systems (Badejo et al, 1995;Brust, 1993;Culliney and Pimentel, 1985;Larsen et al, 1996;Litsinger and Ruhendi, 1984;Morris, 1922;Pimentel and Warneke, 1989;Riechert and Bishop, 1990). In addition, increased predation following mulch application has been shown for spiders in a mixed vegetable crop (Riechert and Bishop, 1990) and for ground beetles in potatoes (Brust, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat manipulation of the apple orchard floor to increase ground-dwelling predators and predation of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

2004

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Augmenting generalist predator populations in new apple (Malus domestica Bork) plantings could potentially aid in the establishment of balanced orchard ecosystems that are less susceptible to pest outbreaks. Habitat can be an important factor in retaining predators in a system and can affect predator efficiency. We investigated the potential of increasing a complex of generalist ground-dwelling predators and enhancing biological control in a young ÔGolden DeliciousÕ apple orchard through ground habitat manipulation. We modified the orchard floor with four comparative habitat treatments: (1) detritus-rich compost mulch layer, (2) detritus-free synthetic mulch layer, (3) herbicide-treated vegetation thatch, and (4) bare soil with vegetation hand-removed. Relative abundances of predators and alternative prey in the habitats were measured with pitfall trapping throughout the growing season. Predation was measured using sentinel Cydia pomonella larvae and directly observed in night experiments. Throughout the season, the compost mulch treatment consistently supported significantly greater densities of alternative prey resources for predators, and generalist predators were more abundant in the compost mulch than the other habitats. Predator complex abundance was positively correlated with increasing alternative prey availability in the compost mulch habitat. However, predation of C. pomonella was significantly lower in the compost mulch than in the herbicide-treated thatch habitat. Our study revealed that a prey-rich organic mulch can enhance ground-foraging generalist predators on the orchard floor, but habitat structure may be more important than alternative prey for predation of C. pomonella.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat manipulation of the apple orchard floor to increase ground-dwelling predators and predation of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

2004

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“…Frequently analyzed arthropod groups in ecological studies are carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Ensifera and Caelifera). They serve as excellent early warning organisms due to their high reproductive rates (Kremen et al, 1993;Eyre et al, 2005;Blaum et al, 2009), specialized habitat selectivity (Thiele, 1977;Dufrêne et al, 1990;Larsen et al, 1996), response at a small-scale level to microenvironmental gradients (e.g., moisture), and their sensitivity to environmental changes (Baldi & Kisbenedek, 1997;Samways, 1997). In addition, many species are highly mobile (e.g., through ballooning, flight) and able to (quickly) change the habitat or to colonize disturbed sites (Duffey, 1978;Hodkinson et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating small‐scale climate change effects–lessons from a short‐term field manipulation experiment on grassland arthropods

2012

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Climate change is expected to cause major consequences on biodiversity. Understanding species-specific reactions, such as species shifts, species declines, and changes in population dynamics is a key issue to quantify large-scale impacts of climate change on biotic communities. As it is often impossible or at least impracticable to conduct large-scale experiments on biotic responses to climate change, studies at a smaller scale may be a useful alternative. In our study, we therefore tested responses of grassland arthropods (carabid beetles, spiders, grasshoppers) to simulated climate change in terms of species activity densities and diversity. We conducted a controlled field experiment by changing water and microclimatic conditions at a small scale (16 m(2) ). Roof constructions were used to increase drought-like conditions, whereas water supply was enhanced by irrigation. In all, 2 038 carabid beetles (36 species), 4 893 spiders (65 species), and 303 Orthoptera (4 species) were caught using pitfall traps from May to August, 2010. During our experiment, we created an artificial small-scale climate change; and statistics revealed that these changes had short-term effects on the total number of individuals and Simpson diversity of the studied arthropod groups. Moreover, our results showed that certain species might react very quickly to climate change in terms of activity densities, which in turn might influence diversity due to shifts in abundance patterns. Finally, we devised methodological improvements that may further enhance the validity of future studies.

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“…However, there is remarkably little information about the effects of metals from sewage sludge on the entire soil invertebrate community from the same soils (e.g. Larsen et al, 1996;Bruce et al, 1999;Baker et al, 2002;Yeates et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do elevated soil concentrations of metals affect the diversity and activity of soil invertebrates in the long‐term?

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2007

Soil Use and Management

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This study aimed to elucidate the response of diversity and activity of soil invertebrates to elevated soil metal concentrations that were a result of sewage sludge application. Field sampling of soil invertebrates was carried out from 2002 to 2004 at an experimental site established in 1982 to test the effects on crop production of metal contamination from sewage sludge applications with elevated concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) with certain treatments exceeding the current UK statutory limits for the safe use of sludge on land. At metal concentrations within the limits, none of the invertebrates sampled showed adverse effects on their abundance or overall community diversity (from Shannon-Weiner index). At concentrations above the limits, individual taxa showed sensitivity to different metals, but overall diversity was not affected. Earthworm abundance was significantly reduced at total Cu concentrations at and above 176 mg kg, while nematode and enchytraeid abundances were sensitive to Cu and high Zn concentrations. Correspondingly, litter decomposition was lower in Zn and Cu treatments although there was no direct relationship between decomposition and soil invertebrate abundance or diversity. Such enduring changes in both soil biodiversity and biological activity around the current UK regulatory limits warrant further investigation to determine whether they indicate detrimental damage to soil functioning over the long-term.

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Influence of Sewage Sludge and Fertilizer on the Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Fauna of an Old-Field Community

Cited by 31 publications

References 0 publications

Habitat manipulation of the apple orchard floor to increase ground-dwelling predators and predation of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Habitat manipulation of the apple orchard floor to increase ground-dwelling predators and predation of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Simulating small‐scale climate change effects–lessons from a short‐term field manipulation experiment on grassland arthropods

Do elevated soil concentrations of metals affect the diversity and activity of soil invertebrates in the long‐term?

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