Agrobiodiversity Research Articles

GBIF’s (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) New Strategic Framework to Address Biodiversity Data Needs

Every five years the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) reevaluates its work in an updated Strategic Framework. The latest was recently approved and will be in effect 2023–2027. In responding to our Governing Board and network expectations to accelerate data mobilization and capacity enhancement to improve science for research and policy relevance, the new Framework specifically responds to the biodiversity crisis in its Vision, Mission and Values statements. In addition to the successful national data mobilization framework, GBIF is developing thematic data use cases to accelerate towards the goals set forth in the Framework's priority areas. The thematic data mobilization will identify critical data gaps in areas of research and policy importance and work with new communities to mobilize this data into the GBIF network. Additionally, we will work with user communities to facilitate and track data use. These thematic topics will include areas of interest to global policy initiatives, such as human health, invasive species, agricultural biodiversity, eDNA and others. Aligned with this work is the enhancement of the GBIF Data Model, based on DwC, to better integrate data from diverse sources. We expect that this advancement will encourage the publishing of more and diverse data types that can be used to improve science for research and policy relevance of GBIF-mediated data. In order to accomplish this ambitious Strategic Framework, GBIF will also need to evolve how we operate. The pandemic has taught us that virtual interactions are positive, but have limits. We are developing a more distributed workforce and importantly expanding collaborations, such as with the Atlas of Living Australia, Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG), and the Catalogue of Life on joint infrastructure and models. These alliances build interoperability, enlarge and improve data mobilization and use, and quicken knowledge growth to strengthen the entire biodiversity knowledge network to meet our critical needs.

Comparison of Female Verzaschese and Camosciata delle Alpi Goats' Hematological Parameters in The Context of Adaptation to Local Environmental Conditions in Semi-Extensive Systems in Italy.

Simple SummaryLivestock biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. It is mainly due to genetic selection for desirable traits and the standardization of productions, but this has determined a dramatic reduction in intra- and inter-breed genetic variability. Autochthonous breeds represent a pivotal genetic resource thanks to their environment-specific adaptive features, especially related to rusticity, frugality, fertility, and longevity. In this context, it is of fundamental importance to deepen the knowledge about these breeds’ physiology and to take care of their health in the optic of conservation strategies. This study established hematological reference values in female goats of a cosmopolitan (i.e., Camosciata delle Alpi) and an Italian autochthonous (i.e., Verzaschese) breed reared in the same conditions. The influence of breed, age, and season on the hematological parameters was also investigated. The results have shown that variation due to breed, age, and season in blood parameters could be attributed both to physiological changes, such as the ones given by ageing and melatonin effect, and to adaptive genetic processes, for example, towards gastrointestinal parasitism. These findings can be helpful to provide evidence of the importance of recovering endangered/rare local breeds, which are a fundamental heritage for agricultural biodiversity, and local culture.Local livestock breeds are pivotal to ensure sustainable agriculture and represent a real genetic resource in the context of genetic variability reduction. This study aimed at broadening the knowledge about hematological values in female Verzaschese and Camosciata delle Alpi goats (an Italian local and a cosmopolitan goat breed, respectively) and investigating factors affecting them (i.e., breed, age, season). Blood samples were collected monthly from 34 Verzaschese and 37 Camosciata delle Alpi female goats kept under the same semi-extensive farming system for a whole year. The main hematological parameters were evaluated, and descriptive as well as inferential statistical analyses were performed. Reference intervals for complete blood cell count were established and several inter-breed differences were found. In particular, most of the red blood cell parameters were higher in Verzaschese than Camosciata delle Alpi (p < 0.05) suggesting a greater gastrointestinal parasites’ resilience of the local breed. The age effect (p < 0.05) was consistent with the literature while the season effect (p < 0.05) could be explained by the melatonin immunostimulant action and gastrointestinal parasitism influence. Overall, differences in blood values could be attributed to physiological changes and adaptive strategies developed through centuries highlighting the remarkable rusticity and adaptation to the environment and farming system of the local breed.

Perceptive Study on Policy Interlinkage and Institutional Arrangement of Agrobiodiversity with Climate Change, Food And Nutrition

A study was conducted to find out interlink, assessing the implementation status, challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming the nexus of agro biodiversity, food and nutrition and climate change in policies and programs. An online survey tool (mwater) was used to deploy the pretested questionnaire to different professionals of Nepal. Out of 500 deployment, 54 responses were obtained. In most of the questions farmers were unable to decide the extent of interlink and implementation status, however, other professional groups perceived the linkage to be weak to moderate. Moreover, the implementation status of these policies were discerned to be less satisfactory. The opportunities and challenges are to be considered while plotting the action. For doing so, institutional setup for implementation and monitoring need to strengthen with wide consultation from policy formulation to implementation, impact assessment and review for having greater impacts on farming communities.

Multi-Scale Effects of Landscape Stucture on Epigaeic Arthropods Diversity in Arable Land System: A Case in Changtu County of Northern China

Understanding the multi-scale effects of arable land landscape on epigaeic arthropod diversity is essential for biodiversity conservation and agroecosystem services. Our study explored the overall effect of landscape elements on epigaeic arthropod diversity at three scales of landscape, habitat, and field. We selected 11 areas to sample using the trap method, and construct models of landscape elements and biodiversity data. The results showed that: (1) On the landscape scale, 1500 m was the optimal radius. Shannon’s diversity index and interspersion and juxtaposition index can explain the diversity of epigaeic arthropods at the level of 76.7%. (2) On the habitat scale (the radius less than 100 m), habitat types significantly affected the species number, Pielou evenness index, and individual number of epigaeic arthropods (p &lt; 0.05). The distribution of epigaeic arthropods had an obvious margin effect. (3) On the field scale, we also revealed The Shannon diversity index and Pielou evenness index of herb vegetation structure can explain the change of epigaeic arthropod community structure at the level of 69.1%. We believe that an appropriate scale is the best lever to protect agricultural biodiversity. Our research can promote multi-scale integrated conservation of regional biodiversity and sustainable development of agricultural systems.

Availability and proximity of natural habitat influence cropland biodiversity in forest biomes globally

AbstractAimAgriculture is one of the greatest pressures on biodiversity. Regional studies have shown that the presence of natural habitat and landscape heterogeneity are beneficial for biodiversity in agriculture, but it remains unclear whether their importance varies geographically. Here, we use local biodiversity data to determine which local and landscape variables are most associated with biodiversity patterns and whether their association varies between tropical and non‐tropical regions.LocationGlobal terrestrial area in forest biomes.Major taxa studiedMore than 21,000 species of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and other taxa.MethodsWe used generalized linear mixed‐effects models to analyse the relationships between either community total abundance or species richness (derived from the PREDICTS database) and a number of site‐level (predominant land use and land‐use intensity) and landscape‐level variables (distance to forest, the percentage of natural habitat in the surrounding landscape, landscape homogeneity, the number of land‐cover types in the landscape, and total fertilizer application). We compared the associations of these variables with biodiversity in tropical and non‐tropical regions.ResultsIn most cases, changes in biodiversity associated with landscape‐level variables were greater than those associated with local land use and land‐use intensity. Increased natural habitat availability was associated with the most consistent increases in biodiversity. Landscape homogeneity was also important but showed different directions of biodiversity change between regions. Associations with fertilizer application or the number of land‐cover types were generally weaker, although still of greater magnitude than for the local land‐use measures.Main conclusionsOur results highlight similarities and differences in the association of local‐ and landscape‐scale variables with local biodiversity in tropical and non‐tropical regions. Landscape natural habitat availability had a consistent positive association with biodiversity, highlighting the key role of landscape management in the maintenance of biodiversity in croplands. Landscape‐scale variables were almost always associated with greater changes in biodiversity than the local‐scale measures.

Crop rotation to diversify the soil microbiome in the semi-arid area of Inner Mongolia, China

ABSTRACT The introduction of leguminous crops for crop rotation can mitigate the negative effects of continuous cropping on soil health. In this experiment, we designed ten cropping patterns to optimise the rotation effect with different combinations of crop types, planting years, and order in a mainly potato-growing region. A 5-year cycle with three crops, undertaken in Inner Mongolia since 2009, was used to test soil properties and microbial structure. The relative abundance of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) was 32.1% in the cycle oats oats alfalfa alfalfa alfalfa and 22.4% in 5-year mono-cropping of alfalfa, which was higher than that of mono-cropping of potatoes and other crop rotations. Soil moisture was the main factor influencing bacterial and fungal communities. The effect of the type of plant introduced into the rotation on soil was greater than that of the number of years a certain crop was planted in the rotation, and this effect was greater than that of planting order. The findings suggest that the rotation of oats and alfalfa mixed → alfalfa → oats → potatoes → potatoes is a suitable 5-year cycle to maintain biodiversity and better soil physico-chemical properties for sustainable agriculture.

Use of Gamma Radiation for the Genetic Improvement of Underutilized Plant Varieties.

Agricultural biodiversity includes many species that have biological variants (natives, ecotypes, races, morphotypes). Their use is restricted to local areas because they do not fulfill the commercial requirements; however, it is well documented that these species are a source of metabolites, proteins, enzymes, and genes. Rescuing and harnessing them through traditional genetic breeding is time-consuming and expensive. Inducing mutagenesis may be a short-time option for its genetic improvement. A review of outstanding research was carried out, in order to become familiar with gene breeding using gamma radiation and its relevance to obtain outstanding agronomic characteristics for underutilized species. An approach was made to the global panorama of the application of gamma radiation in different conventional crop species and in vitro cultivated species, in order to obtain secondary metabolites, as well as molecular tools used for mutation screening. The varied effects of gamma radiation are essentially the result of the individual responses and phenotypic plasticity of each organism. However, even implicit chance can be reduced with specific genetic breeding, environmental adaptation, or conservation objectives.

Pollen spectrum collected by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier, 1863 (Apidae: Meliponini) in an anthropized region of Caatinga

The stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides is a major pollinator of the Brazilian semi-arid region (Caatinga), it is widely used in meliponiculture due to the economic value of the honey. The goals of this study were to identify the floral resources exploited by these bees in a human-modified area from Caatinga in Bahia, and to provide a pollen calendar that might be helpful to beekeepers. Pollen loads were collected monthly from each colony over a 7-month period. Twenty pollen morphotypes were identified with high frequencies of pollen types belonging to Myrtaceae, Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae and Solanaceae. The dominant pollens were represented by Mimosa 1 and Mimosa arenosa (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae). The accessory types were Mimosa tenuiflora, and Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), while Solanum 1 and Solanum 2 represented major isolated pollen types. Some morphotypes, such as those from Mimosa are common in anthropized areas, thus playing a major role in the survival of bee colonies from areas where floral resources are limited. The present result revealed that Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides interacts with several plant species, thus highlighting the importance of conserving the regional flora. Moreover, the pollen calendar obtained is particularly useful to the management of this stingless bee in meliponary since it provides information about the plants that can be used as pollen source throughout the year. This information is also helpful for both the conservation of regional biodiversity and beekeeping in local agriculture.

No evidence for trade‐offs between bird diversity, yield and water table depth on oil palm smallholdings: Implications for tropical peatland landscape restoration

Abstract Tropical peat swamp forests retain large carbon stocks and support unique biodiversity, but clearance and drainage for agriculture have resulted in fires, carbon emissions and biodiversity losses. Initiatives to re‐wet cultivated peatlands may benefit biodiversity if this protects remaining forests from fire and agricultural encroachment, but there are concerns that re‐wetting could reduce yields and damage livelihoods, as relationships between drainage, on‐farm biodiversity, and crop yields have not been studied. We examined oil palm fruit yields and bird diversity on 41 smallholder farms in Jambi (Sumatra, Indonesia), which varied in drainage intensity (12‐month mean water table per plot from August 2018 to August 2019: −52 to −3 cm below‐ground). We also compared farm bird diversity with a neighbouring area of protected peat swamp forest (11,000 ha, 21 plots; mean water table per plot −3 to +15 cm). Bird species richness (3–18 species per plot), species composition and oil palm yields (4.5–19.2 t fresh fruit bunch ha−1 year−1) varied among farms, but were not detectably affected by water table depth, although ground‐level vegetation was more complex on wetter farms. Bird richness in oil palm (mean = 10.3 species per plot) was &lt;50% of that in forest (26 species per plot), and only 3 of 35 conservation‐priority species found in forest were recorded in oil palm. Synthesis and applications. Tropical peatlands in Indonesia have been drained to allow farmer access and improve farm yields, but we found no trade‐offs between drainage depth, yields and bird diversity on smallholder oil palm farms in our study landscape within the studied range of drainage depths. Current restoration initiatives to re‐wet peat may benefit farmers by reducing fire risk, without affecting yields. Wetter farms had increased understorey vegetation complexity, but this did not affect bird diversity, so we find no evidence that re‐wetting improves on‐farm biodiversity. However, on‐farm fire reduction efforts in cultivated peatlands, including re‐wetting, will be vital for reducing the risk of fires escaping into nearby forests, which contain unique and diverse bird species assemblages. Protection of remaining peatland forests from fire and clearance is key for biodiversity conservation, and for providing a source of seed dispersers and genetic material for future forest and landscape restoration efforts. Restoration of more biodiversity‐friendly land covers will improve landscape permeability and help conserve species and the ecosystem services they deliver.

Temporal and regional shifts of crop species diversity in rainfed and irrigated cropland in Iran.

Concerns about the negative effects of declining agricultural biodiversity due to modern agricultural practices and climatic constraints in various parts of the world, including Iran, on the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems are increasingly growing. However, the historical knowledge of temporal and spatial biodiversity is lacking. To determine the value and trend of crop diversity in Iran, we used biodiversity indices based on the area under rainfed and irrigated crops and total cropland area from 1991 to 2018. There were large fluctuations in the amount of cultivated area in the past 30 years, peaking around 2005 to 2007 with about 13.1 million cultivated hectares. However, no general trend in increase or decrease of total cultivated land was shown. The crop species diversity of irrigated cropland was higher than the rainfed and total cropland. The Shannon diversity index showed a constant trend with a negligible slope, but species richness was increased, which was related to the rise in the area of some crop species in recent years. The area of wheat and barley had a significant impact on crop diversity, so Shannon diversity index reduced with their dominance. Overall, this study revealed that the Iranian agricultural system relies on wheat and barley. We warn that by increasing the area of these crops and the prevalence of monoculture, the probability of damage from external factors such as sudden weather changes or the spread of diseases will increase, leading to instability and production risks in the future.

Agricultural Biodiversity and its Contribution to Food Security: A Case Study in Tharu Community, Chitwan, Nepal

Agricultural Biodiversity and its Contribution to Food Security: A Case Study in Tharu Community, Chitwan, Nepal

Soil biodiversity and nature-mimicry in agriculture; the power of metaphor?

Attention to soil biodiversity and its importance for sustainable food production has markedly increased in recent years. In particular, the loss of soil biodiversity as a consequence of intensive agriculture, land degradation and climate change has raised concerns due to the expected negative impacts on ecosystem services, food security and human health. The result is a strong demand for ‘nature-based’ practices that stimulate soil biodiversity or beneficial soil organisms and enhance soil health. Here, we examine the origin of popular ideas on the role of soil biology in sustainable soil management, as well as their potential to address key global challenges related to agriculture. Three examples of such ideas are discussed: 1) a higher fungal:bacterial (F:B) biomass ratio favours soil carbon storage and nutrient conservation; (2) intensive agricultural practices lead to a decline in soil biodiversity with detrimental consequences for sustainable food production; (3) inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces agriculture's dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Our analysis demonstrates how ecological theories, especially E.P. Odum's ( 1969 ) hypotheses on ecological succession, have inspired the promotion of agricultural practices and commercial products that are based on the mimicry of (soil biology in) natural ecosystems. Yet our reading of the scientific literature shows that popular claims on the importance of high F:B ratios, soil biodiversity and the inoculation with beneficial microbes for soil health and sustainable agricultural production cannot be generalized and require careful consideration of limitations and possible trade-offs. We argue that dichotomies and pitfalls associated with the normative use of nature as a metaphor for sustainability can be counterproductive given the urgency to achieve real solutions that sustain food production and natural resources. Finally, implications for soil ecology research and sustainable soil management in agriculture are discussed.

Assessment of Agricultural Biodiversity in Organic Livestock Farms in Italy

Livestock farming is often addressed as one of the most impactful food production systems on the environment due to GHGE-Green-House Gas Emissions- and land use degradation. However, in the last years there is a growing number of studies that underline the beneficial environmental impacts of extensive livestock farming (i.e., providing ecosystem services, increasing biodiversity and improving carbon and nitrogen cycles), as well as social and economic benefits (i.e., offering alternative and additional forms of income in marginal areas). The multitude of livestock management approaches call urgently for specific tools of assessment in order to inform and orientate policies, farming practices and consumer choices. This study proposes a set of 14 agroecological indicators to assess the state of structural/planned agrobiodiversity in livestock farming systems. Our methodology stems from the already established Indicator-Based Framework to evaluate the sustainability of farming systems and adapted it specifically to livestock farming systems. The set of indicators has been clustered with respect to the ecosystem functions/services they describe. The methodology has been applied and validated on a selection of 12 Italian organic livestock farms and analyzed according to animal breeds and geographical regions. The results highlight that the farms show very positive results with optimal values for all indicators, except for Field Adjacency (FA), Share Species (SS), Share Group (SG). This study highlights how livestock farms could actually provide different ecosystem services in comparison to stockless farms.

Rural Land Concentration & Protected Areas: Recent Trends from Montana and Greater Yellowstone

Where agricultural land use and biodiversity conservation values overlap, conservation science has tended to focus on the challenges posed by land ownership fragmentation. However, the dynamics of land concentration also affect rural landscapes and economies upon which biodiversity conservation increasingly depends. In this study, we provide a methodological approach to measuring concentration using parcel-level data to generate a description of private landownership trends at the boundary of the Northern Rockies and the Northern Great Plains, two ecoregions of global conservation significance. Across our 25m-acre study region in Montana, USA concentration in large land ownership increased by 7 percent between 2005 and 2018. Growth of a county’s largest landholding through the agglomeration of properties into a single mega-estate emerges as a recurring trend. Other drivers contribute to concentration, suggesting a mix of conservation opportunities and challenges that merits further research and consideration by academic and resource management stakeholders.

Agroforestry: Viable alternatives for ensuring green fodder production around the year

Agroforestry is an integration of tree species with agricultural crops or livestock that can be directly used to enhance agro biodiversity, rural livelihood and to meet the demand of green fodder throughout the year. Considering this fact, a study was done at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana to assess the productivity of fodder crops under poplar based agroforestry system. In February 2016, poplar was planted in six different spacing of 3× 3 m, 4×3 m, 5×3 m, 6×3 m, 7×3 m and 8×3 m. In this study, fodder crops (sorghum during Kharif season and oat and berseem during Rabi season) were intercropped in different spacing’s of poplar and compared with control in three replications. The results revealed that the maximum DBH (13.92 cm), basal diameter (16.90 cm) and crown spread (6.79 m) attained in 8×3 m spacing while maximum height (9.61 m) is attained in 3×3 m spacing. The highest pH (7.94) and EC (0.27 dS/m) were recorded in 8×3 m spacing while highest SOC (0.47 %), N (158.5 kg/ha), P (16.8 kg/ha) and K (343.8 kg/ha) were recorded in 3×3 m spacing. Green fodder biomass of sorghum (38.45 t/ha), berseem (64.56 t/ha) and oat (52.62 t/ha) was recorded higher in wider spacing (8×3 m) as compared to sole crops. The maximum light intensity (672.4 Lux) was recorded in 8×3 m at 1.00 pm in the month of July, 2018. Higher value of BCR was observed for poplar with oat (2.44) followed by poplar with sorghum (2.31) and poplar with berseem (2.28) under 3×3 m spacing indicating that closer spacing of 3×3 m of poplar is more economic than the other spacings due to more number of trees per unit area and more production of wood.

Application of Crop Growth Models to Assist Breeding for Intercropping: Opportunities and Challenges.

Intercropping of two or more species on the same piece of land can enhance biodiversity and resource use efficiency in agriculture. Traditionally, intercropping systems have been developed and improved by empirical methods within a specific local context. To support the development of promising intercropping systems, the individual species that are part of an intercrop can be subjected to breeding. Breeding for intercropping aims at resource foraging traits of the admixed species to maximize niche complementarity, niche facilitation, and intercrop performance. The breeding process can be facilitated by modeling tools that simulate the outcome of the combination of different species’ (or genotypes’) traits for growth and yield development, reducing the need of extensive field testing. Here, we revisit the challenges associated with breeding for intercropping, and give an outlook on applying crop growth models to assist breeding for intercropping. We conclude that crop growth models can assist breeding for intercropping, provided that (i) they incorporate the relevant plant features and mechanisms driving interspecific plant–plant interactions; (ii) they are based on model parameters that are closely linked to the traits that breeders would select for; and (iii) model calibration and validation is done with field data measured in intercrops. Minimalist crop growth models are more likely to incorporate the above elements than comprehensive but parameter-intensive crop growth models. Their lower complexity and reduced parameter requirement facilitate the exploration of mechanisms at play and fulfil the model requirements for calibration of the appropriate crop growth models.

The Nutritional Quality Potential of Microgreens, Baby Leaves, and Adult Lettuce: An Underexploited Nutraceutical Source.

Interest in the cultivation of lettuce landraces is increasing because native varieties, as high-quality products, are particularly attractive to consumers. Lettuce is a popular leafy vegetable worldwide, and interest in the consumption of first leaves (microgreens) and seedlings (baby leaves) has grown due to the general belief that young plants offer higher nutritional value. The content of some bioactive compounds and antioxidants (chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, phenols, antioxidant activity) was monitored in six lettuce landraces and five commercial varieties, and compared across three development stages: microgreen, baby, and adult. Ascorbic acid and phenolic contents were 42% and 79% higher, respectively, in the early stages than in adult lettuces, and red-leaf varieties (CL4 and L11) stood out. This finding agrees with lettuce’s marked antioxidant capacity and correlates with its pigment contents, especially anthocyanins. The nutritional value of adult lettuce is conditioned by its size, shape, and head structure as phytochemical concentrations are regulated by light. The low content of ascorbic acid, phenolics, and anthocyanins in crisphead lettuce (CL5) is a clear example (49, 67%, and 27% lower, respectively, than the adult mean). Our results indicate the wide variability of lettuces’ nutritional characteristics and emphasize that traditional varieties are a helpful source of agricultural biodiversity.

Nutritional Characterization of a Traditional Cultivar of Tomato Grown Under Organic Conditions-cv. "Malacara".

The loss of genetic diversity due to the replacement of local tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties by improved cultivars has been mitigated in many cases by the good work of organic farmers in maintaining local agricultural biodiversity. In parallel to these initiatives, in recent years, consumers have developed an increasing awareness of both food-related health, environmental issues, and food demand to recover the flavors of the past. In the case of tomatoes, these attributes (nutritional, organoleptic, social, and environmental) are closely related to organic production using local varieties. “Malacara” tomato is an example of a local variety. Coming from Sierra de Cádiz, it is a varietal type called “Cuelga” (“for hanging,” because the tomato trusses are hung from beams in the farmhouses). Cultivated and harvested in the open air during the summer months, these tomatoes are commercialized and consumed in the winter. Historically, this variety has enabled the fresh consumption of tomatoes during the winter, without the need to force cultivation. It is highly appreciated in the local cuisine and is the basis for sauces figuring in typical dishes. Its characteristic traits are small, pallid fruits, and long shelf life. The main objective of this work has been to typify two Malacara tomato cultivars (red and yellow color) grown under organic farming conditions, through the characterization of morphological, nutritional, and volatile parameters. The main differences are due to morphological parameters (fruit weight and color of the exocarp and endocarp). Other characteristics such as the content of ash, fiber, moisture, the concentration of iron, magnesium, and calcium, and content of lycopene are different between both cultivars. This study provides information on the nutritional and aromatic composition of two Malacara tomato cultivars, differentiated by their color and grown under organic farming conditions. The results add value to the native horticultural heritage and can aid in the selection of tomato varieties suitable for a sustainable production system and to produce tomatoes with high nutritional value and rich in aroma.

FLOWERING PLANTS AND ENTOMOPHAGOUS ARTHROPODS IN THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE: A PRACTISE-ORIENTED SUMMARY OF A COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP

<List> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Most entomophagous arthropods consume nectar or pollen as alternative diets. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● The attractive of floral resource with different traits varies in a wide degree. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Floral resource plays positive effects on not only entomophagous insects but also agricultural biodiversity, multiple ecosystem services and crop production. </ItemContent></ListItem></List> There is a growing demand for high-quality agricultural products and more countries have adopted landscape management by sowing flowering plants in agricultural fields as an important branch of conservation biological control. However, there has been less concern over the interactions and trade-offs between floral plants and entomophagous arthropods. This paper review progress in pollen/nectar feeding habits of entomophagous insects including parasitoids and predators which are important natural enemies of crop pests in agricultural fields. Factors that influence the preference of different guilds of natural enemies are reviewed to guide the selection of flowering plants in conservation biological control practices. Most studies find that floral resources have positive effects on both biological traits of natural enemies and their abundance and diversity, and this is believed to contribute greatly to pest control. Furthermore, the potential impacts of floral resources on crop yields are also discussed with an emphasis on a guild of entomophagous insects that provides both pest control and pollination services.

Feeding the world better: crop diversification to build sustainable food systems

Today, major changes are required in global agricultural systems to produce enough healthy food for all, while preserving the quality of land, air and water and safeguarding biodiversity. But producing enough while simultaneously protecting the environment is a particularly complex equation. Agroecology, a key principle of which is the use of agricultural biodiversity, is a promising pathway to achieve these changes. Extensive qualitative and quantitative evidence demonstrates the agricultural and environmental effectiveness of agroecological practices and confirms their capacity to meet the demands of global production in the long term. Among the possible diversification strategies, agroforestry, intercropping and crop rotation can all significantly increase production and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services (soil quality, pest and disease control, water use and quality). This evidence can serve as a basis for new public policies to be introduced from the local to the global level. The implementation of such policies is crucial in climate-vulnerable regions where demand for food is growing, such sub-Saharan Africa.