Background and aim:
Modern, intensive agricultural practices have been attributed to the loss of insect biodiversity and abundance in agroecosystems for the last 80 years. The aim of this work was to test whether there are statistically significant differences in insect abundance between different zones and over time on the vineyard field.
Methods:
- The study was carried out in five intensive wine farms in Spain over a three-year period (2013–2015).
- Each field was divided into two zones, one where cover plants were planted, and another remained unchanged (without cover).
Results:
A clear trend to increase the average number of insect species and individuals throughout the years in all farms was observed. Moreover, the zones with cover plants showed a significant difference with respect to the zones without. The use of permanent cover plants allows creating areas of refuge for the insects favouring their conservation and reducing the agriculture impact and insect decline.
Significance of the study:
The findings suggest that the use of cover plants provide a wide range of enhancements in the insect community with a significant increase both in the number of species and the number of individuals showing an important influence over time, which would tend to have a significant conservation impact thanks to its effect as a reservoir of species.
Reference:
Peris-Felipo, F.J.; Santa, F.; Aguado, O.; Falcó-GarÃ, J.V.; Iborra, A.; Schade, M.; Brittain, C.; Vasileiadis, V.; Miranda-Barroso, L. Enhancement of the diversity of pollinators and beneficial insects in intensively managed vineyards. Insects 2021, 12, 740. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080740
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This abstract is republished in its original form, with headings inserted, as permitted by the following Creative Commons licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
