Invertebrate and Plant Community Diversity of an Illinois Corn–Soybean Field with Integrated Shrub Willow Bioenergy Buffers

Colleen Zumpf,Jules Cacho,Maria Cristina Negri,Nora Grasse,Dokyoung Lee,John Quinn

doi:10.3390/su132112280

Colleen Zumpf, Jules Cacho + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112280

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Abstract

Perennial bioenergy crop production within intensively managed agricultural landscapes has the potential to improve the sustainability, resiliency, and diversity of these landscapes. Perennial crops are ideal because of their high production potential on marginal lands relative to grain crops (e.g., corn and soybean) and their ability to provide additional ecosystem service benefits. When agricultural landscapes are designed to target specific services, determining the non-targeted services of perennial bioenergy crops can further promote their adoption. This 3-year study addresses this proposition by evaluating the canopy invertebrates and understory plant (non-target crop) communities using bee bowls and point measurement of ground coverage, respectively, within a grain field integrated with shrub willow buffer systems designed for nutrient loss reduction. Greater plant diversity and richness were observed under willow than under grain, resembling that of the surrounding riparian community with more perennial, native species. However, the same relationship did not hold true for invertebrates, with seasonality having a significant influence resulting in similar communities observed in willow and grain plots. The presence of unique plant and invertebrate species in both willow and grain crops as well as foraging pollinators on both crop and non-target crop species highlights the importance of habitat heterogeneity for supporting biodiversity and the potential benefits of buffer bioenergy landscape designs.

Highlights

IntroductionIntensively managed modern agricultural systems negatively impact the natural ecosystems’ support services, such as hydrological services, soil quality, and pollination
Agricultural landscapes provide many human services, including the production of food, feed, and fiber, and, more recently, feedstocks for bioenergy and bioproducts.intensively managed modern agricultural systems negatively impact the natural ecosystems’ support services, such as hydrological services, soil quality, and pollination
The promotion of perennial bioenergy crop production for biodiversity support is attractive, as perennial bioenergy crops generally require less pesticide and fertilizer usage than traditional crops, resulting in a lower environmental impact compared to grain crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine Max [L.] Merr) [3,7,8,9]

Summary

Introduction

Intensively managed modern agricultural systems negatively impact the natural ecosystems’ support services, such as hydrological services, soil quality, and pollination. These production systems rely on support services for long-term productivity and resiliency [1,2,3]. Biodiversity, in particular, has been highly impacted by agricultural intensification, which has resulted in increased use of chemicals and habitat loss [2,4,5]. The loss of biodiversity can have significant economic impacts, with pollination services estimated to contribute USD 217 billion to the global economy [4,6] and natural pest control estimated to save U.S agriculture USD 13.6 billion yr−1 [1,5].

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