Upland grassland habitats and agri‐environment schemes change soil microarthropod abundance

Amy Arnott,Neil Reid,Tancredi Caruso,Mark Emmerson,Gillian Riddell

doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13933

Amy Arnott, Neil Reid + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13933

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Abstract

Abstract Agricultural intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss, with the implementation of Agri‐Environment Schemes (AESs) being a widespread policy designed to prevent further loss, and to maintain or restore ecosystem health. Upland grassland soils are disproportionately impacted by intensification including drainage, artificial fertiliser use, compaction and erosion while the effect of AES management on below‐ground microarthropods, which mediate a range of ecosystem processes, is largely unknown. This study tested the effects of AES management of upland grasslands on microarthropod communities using a large‐scale factorial field experiment. The study focused on microarthropods with distinct taxa‐specific responses observed. Oribatid mite abundance was associated with wetter, more extensive pastures with native grasses characteristic of semi‐improved grassland managed by AESs, whereas Collembola abundance was associated with drier, more intense, reseeded (Lolium perenne dominated) pastures characteristic of conventionally managed improved grasslands. Differences in taxa responses may be driven by life‐history traits and resilience to disturbance. There was no net effect of management, habitat or their interaction on total microarthropod family diversity or abundance. Synthesis and Applications. Results from this study suggest that in floristically simple upland agroecosystems the impact of agri‐environment measures on below‐ground soil biota are context‐dependent (differing between contrasting grassland types), and taxa‐specific, rather than leading to general increases in biodiversity per se, and the responses of soil microarthropods are driven by environmental variation caused by overall management of grassland fields. Measures should aim to increase the availability of areas of semi‐improved grassland, with native plant mixtures, adjacent to improved grasslands, to maximise the habitats available to soil microarthropods.

Highlights

Agricultural intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss (Reid et al, 2007; Tscharntke et al, 2005; Tsiafouli et al, 2014)
This study demonstrated that ecological extensification through Agri-Environment Schemes (AESs) management and semi-improved grasslands have contrasting effects on individual below-ground microarthropod taxa (Oribatid mites and Collembola)
This study provides clear evidence that the impact of AES measures on below-ground soil biota is context-dependent varying between contrasting grassland types

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss (Reid et al, 2007; Tscharntke et al, 2005; Tsiafouli et al, 2014). Most AESs focus on above-ground biodiversity (e.g. hedgerows, pollinators, birds, etc.) while most evaluations of their efficacy have focused on intensive arable and cropland, rather than grassland systems. Studies suggest AESs are less effective at conserving below-ground soil biota than above-ground flora and fauna (Bengtsson et al, 2005; Flohre et al, 2011), suggesting both a knowledge gap and potential failing in ecosystem-wide effectiveness. There is, limited evidence demonstrating positive impacts of reduced biocidal and fertiliser usage on soil biota, yet important effects are predicted based on the current knowledge of below-ground soil processes. Soil biota are responsive to a range of management practices, for example, below-ground biodiversity has been found to be resilient to some anthropogenic disturbance including intensification through above-ground–below-ground buffering (Fitter et al, 2005)

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