Modelling an ecosystem: The example of agro-ecosystems

Caron-Lormier, Geoffrey; Bohan, David; Dye, Richard; Hawes, Cathy; Humphry, R.W.; Raybould, Alan

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.11.028

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Instead, experimental data on anthelmintic effects on such patterns and processes should be used to drive models such as those suggested by Caron‐Lormier et al . (, ) to predict large‐scale, long‐term impacts of anthelmintic effects on dung invertebrates and decomposition. A similar, multi‐scale approach may also be needed to understand fully the consequences of management decisions for a variety of other ecosystem services in agro‐ecosystems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Beynon

Mann

Slade

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

116

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Summary1. Many studies document high levels of functional redundancy in ecosystems, suggesting that species extinctions will not be detrimental to ecosystem functions and services. However, apparently redundant taxa may prove critical for sustaining ecosystem functions and services in the context of environmental perturbations. 2. Dung beetles (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) provide a valuable ecosystem service in temperate agro-ecosystems by increasing rates of dung decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, there is concern that these services may be negatively affected by changes in species richness and composition due to changes in pasture management and negative effects of anthelmintics used to control livestock parasites. 3. We used a mesocosm experiment to investigate the functional importance of dung beetle species richness in a system perturbed by the anthelmintic, ivermectin. We varied dung beetle species richness within three functional groups in factorial combination with ivermectin treatment. 4. In the short term (1-4 weeks), multi-species dung beetle assemblages achieved higher decomposition rates than monocultures, but only in ivermectin-treated dung. Varying speciesspecific sensitivities to ivermectin meant that species-rich assemblages sustained ecosystem functioning in the context of this anthropogenic perturbation. 5. Over the longer term (36 weeks), there was a significant, positive effect of species richness on dung decomposition in both ivermectin-treated and untreated dung, underlining the functional importance of maintaining a species-rich dung processing community even in the absence of perturbations to the system. 6. Synthesis and applications. The interacting effects of dung beetle species richness and ivermectin highlight the importance of maintaining diverse assemblages in the face of anthropogenic perturbations and suggest that apparent functional redundancy of species in agroecosystems should be interpreted cautiously. Furthermore, different farm management practices (e.g. pesticide use and fragmentation of habitats) may have consequences for ecosystem functions and services that exceed the effects of each when considered in isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Beynon

Mann

Slade

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

116

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“…Here, there is concern that the extent of biodiversity loss that has occurred [8] might prevent ecosystem services, such as pollination and biological control, from being delivered [9] , [10] . In this system, management disturbs trophic links, leading to the observed changes in diversity of the ecosystem [4] , [11] . The hope is that by evaluating trophic links, and their sensitivity to management, trophic networks might provide a mechanism for predicting ecosystem change [12] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated Discovery of Food Webs from Ecological Data Using Logic-Based Machine Learning

et al. 2011

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Networks of trophic links (food webs) are used to describe and understand mechanistic routes for translocation of energy (biomass) between species. However, a relatively low proportion of ecosystems have been studied using food web approaches due to difficulties in making observations on large numbers of species. In this paper we demonstrate that Machine Learning of food webs, using a logic-based approach called A/ILP, can generate plausible and testable food webs from field sample data. Our example data come from a national-scale Vortis suction sampling of invertebrates from arable fields in Great Britain. We found that 45 invertebrate species or taxa, representing approximately 25% of the sample and about 74% of the invertebrate individuals included in the learning, were hypothesized to be linked. As might be expected, detritivore Collembola were consistently the most important prey. Generalist and omnivorous carabid beetles were hypothesized to be the dominant predators of the system. We were, however, surprised by the importance of carabid larvae suggested by the machine learning as predators of a wide variety of prey. High probability links were hypothesized for widespread, potentially destabilizing, intra-guild predation; predictions that could be experimentally tested. Many of the high probability links in the model have already been observed or suggested for this system, supporting our contention that A/ILP learning can produce plausible food webs from sample data, independent of our preconceptions about “who eats whom.” Well-characterised links in the literature correspond with links ascribed with high probability through A/ILP. We believe that this very general Machine Learning approach has great power and could be used to extend and test our current theories of agricultural ecosystem dynamics and function. In particular, we believe it could be used to support the development of a wider theory of ecosystem responses to environmental change.

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“…The herbicide tolerance trait is not likely to provide selective advantages outside cultivation or other areas where glyphosate-based herbicides could be applied in Europe. Therefore, as for any other maize varieties (Raybould et al, 2011), maize GA21 plants are not likely to establish feral populations under European environmental conditions. The contribution of occasional feral GM maize plants to pollen flow into agricultural fields will be extremely small, compared to that from the crop.…”

Section: Plant To Plant Gene Transfer and Its Consequences 39mentioning

confidence: 97%

Scientific Opinion on application (EFSA-GMO-UK-2008-60) for placing on the market of genetically modified herbicide tolerant maize GA21 for food and feed uses, import, processing and cultivation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Syngenta Seeds

2011

EFSA Journal

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This Scientific Opinion reports on an evaluation of a risk assessment for placing on the market of genetically modified maize GA21 for food and feed uses, import, processing and cultivation. Maize GA21 was developed through particle bombardment and contains a single insertion locus consisting of modified maize epsps (mepsps) gene, conferring tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides. Bioinformatic analyses and levels of the mEPSPS protein were considered sufficient. The comparative analysis of compositional, agronomic and phenotypic characteristics indicated that maize GA21 is not different from the conventional counterpart and its composition fell within the range observed among non-GM maize varieties, except for the presence of the mEPSPS protein in maize GA21. The safety assessment of maize GA21 identified no concerns regarding potential toxicity and allergenicity. A feeding study with broiler chickens confirmed that maize GA21 is as nutritious as its conventional counterpart. The EFSA GMO Panel considers that maize GA21 is unlikely to raise additional environmental safety concerns compared to conventional maize, but that its cultivation management could result in environmental harm under certain conditions. The EFSA GMO Panel therefore recommends managing the use of glyphosate on maize GA21 within diversified cropping regimes that have similar or reduced environmental impacts compared with conventional maize cultivation. The EFSA GMO Panel recommends the deployment of case-specific monitoring to address (1) changes in botanical diversity within fields due to novel herbicide regimes, and (2) resistance evolution to glyphosate in weeds due to novel herbicide regimes. The EFSA GMO Panel agrees with the general surveillance plan of the applicant, but requests that its proposals to strengthen general surveillance are implemented. The EFSA GMO Panel concludes that the information available for maize GA21 addresses the scientific comments raised by Member States and that maize GA21, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and commercial maize varieties with respect to potential adverse effects on human and animal health. If subjected to appropriate management measures, the cultivation management of maize GA21 is unlikely to raise safety concerns for the environment.

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Modelling an ecosystem: The example of agro-ecosystems

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Automated Discovery of Food Webs from Ecological Data Using Logic-Based Machine Learning

Scientific Opinion on application (EFSA-GMO-UK-2008-60) for placing on the market of genetically modified herbicide tolerant maize GA21 for food and feed uses, import, processing and cultivation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Syngenta Seeds

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