The Effects of Ground Cover Mowing Height on the Fauna of Ground-dwelling Arthropods in Olive Grove

Authors

  • Kristijan Franin University of Zadar, Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, MIhovila Pavlinovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
  • Nikolina Kapić University of Zadar, Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, MIhovila Pavlinovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
  • Šime Marcelić University of Zadar, Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, MIhovila Pavlinovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
  • Zoran Šikić University of Zadar, Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, MIhovila Pavlinovića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v2i2.1776

Abstract

Ground dwelling insects, spiders, and other arthropods play an important role in agroecosystems as predators and saprophytic organisms. Their presence on the soil surface helps the biological control of pests, enhances organic matter decomposition and promotes biodiversity. Soil disturbance, particularly tilling and mowing has greatly affected the assemblage and abundance of epigeic arthropods. This study aimed to determine the effects of herbaceous vegetation cover mowing height on arthropods abundance and structure in olive orchards. The experimental site was divided into three zones (Z1, Z2, and Z3) regarding mowing heights (0 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm ). This research was done in 2019 from the beginning of May untill the end of September. During this research, 1490 individuals were recorded belonging to 6 classes, 11 orders and 13 families. The number of individuals was higher in the zones Z2 and Z3 comparing with Z1. The highest number of individuals showed woodlices (Isopoda) comprising 67, 5% of all individuals collected. There were significant differences in the number of Carabidae, Bleteliidae and Forficulidae between the zones of research. Unlike Forficulidae, higher heights of mown positively affected the population of Carabidae and Blateliidae.

Keywords:

Herbaceous vegetation cover, Insects, Mowing heights, Spiders

References

[1] AL-Daikh, E.B., EL-Mabrouk, A., EL Roby, A.S.M.H.. Effect of glyphosate herbicide on the behavior of soil arthropods in non-organic tomato system. Advance in Agriculture and Biology, 2016, 5(1): 14-19. https://doi.org/10.15192/PSCP.AAB.2016.5.1.1419

[2] Benhadi‐Marín, J., Pereira, J. A., Sousa, J. P., Santos, S. A. P.. Distribution of the spider community in the olive grove agroecosystem (Portugal): potential bioindicators. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2020, 22(1): 10-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/afe.12352

[3] Berg, H., Maneas, G., Salguero Engström, A.. A Comparision between Organic and Conventional Olive Farming in Messenia, Greece. Horticulturae, 2018, 4(3): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae4030015

[4] Bricklemyer, R.S., Lawrence, R.L., Miller, P., Battogtokh, N.. Predicting tillage practices and agricultural soil disturbance in north central Montana with Landsat imagery. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 2006, 144(2-4): 210-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.10.005

[5] Brito, C., Dinis, L-T., Moutihno-Pereira, J., Correira, C.M.. Drought Stress Effects and Olive Tree Acclimation under a Changing Climate. Plants, 2019, 8: 232-252. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8070232

[6] Burnip, G.M., Daly, J.M., Hackett, J. K., Suckling, D.M.. Europan erwing phenology and effect on understorey management on population estimation. Horticultural Entomology, 2002, 55:390-395. https://doi.org/10.1.1.1030.6509

[7] Campos, M., Fernández, L., Ruano, F., Cotes, B., Cárdenas, M., Castro, J.. Short term response of ants to the removal of ground cover in organic olive orchards. European Journal of Entomology, 2011, 108: 4217-423. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje2011.053

[8] Cárdenas, M., Ruano, F., García, P., Pascual, F., Campos, M.. Impact of agricultural management of spider population in the canopy of olive trees. Biological Control, 2006, 38: 188-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2006.02.004

[9] Cattin, M.-F., Blandenier, G., Banašek-Richter, C., Bersire, L.-F.. The impact of mowing as a management for wet meadows on spider (Aranea) communities. Biological Conservation, 2003, 113(2): 178-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00297-5

[10] Carpio, A. J., Castro, J., Tortosa, F. S.. Arthropod biodiversity in olive groves under two soil management systems : presence versus absence of herbaceous cover crop. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2018, 21(1): 58-68. https://doi.org/10.1111/afe.12303

[11] Cizek, O., Zamecnik, J., Tropek, R., Kocarek, P., Konvicka, M.. Diversification of mowing regime increases arthropods diversity in species-poor cultural hay meadows. Journal of Insect Conservation, 2010, 16: 215-226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-011-9407-6

[12] Classen, A., Hirler, A., Opperman, R.. Auswirkungen unterschiedlicher Mähgeräte auf die Wiesenfauna in Nordost-Polen [Effects of different mowing equipment on meadow fauna in northeast Poland]. Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung, 1996, 28: 139-144.

[13] Flade, M., Platcher, H., Schmidt, R., Warner, A.. Nature conservation in agricultural [1] ecosystems: results of the Schorfheide-Chorin Research Project. Quelle & Mayer. 2003.

[14] Ghosal, A., Hati, A.. Impact of some new generation insecticides on soil arthropods in rice maize cropping system. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, 2019, 80(6): 1-8.

[15] Gibb, T., Oseto, C.. Arthropod Colletion and Identification (Laboratory and Field Techniques). U.S.A. 2005.

[16] Gobbi, M., Fontaneto, D., Bragalanti, N., Pedrotti, L., Lencioni, V.. Carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) richness and functional traits in relation to differently managed grasslands in the Alps. International Journal of Entomology, 2015, 51(1): 52-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/00379271.2015.1060008

[17] Goncalves, M.F., Pereira, J.A.. Abundance and diversity of soil arthropods in the olive grove ecosystem. Journal of Insect Science, 2012, 12(20): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1673/031.012.2001

[18] Gonzáles Ruiz, R., Gómez Guzmán, J.A.. Agricultural management Greatly Affects the Beneficial Entomofauna of the Olive Groves. American Journal of Biomedicinal Science and Research, 2019, 141-151. https://doi.org/10.34297/AJBSR.2019.01.000530

[19] Gotlin Čuljak, T., Juran, I.. Poljoprivredna entomologija–Sistematika kukaca. Sveučilište u Zagrebu, 2016.

[20] Herz, A., Cahenzli, F., Penvern, S., Pfiffner, L., Tasin, M., Sigsgaard, L.. Managing Floral Resources in Apple Orchrds for Pest Control: Ideas, Experiences and Future Directions. Insects, 2019, 10: 247-271. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10080247

[21] Hadjicharalampous, E., Kalburtji, K.L., Mamolo, A.P.. Soil Arthropods (Coleoptera, Isopoda) in organic and conventional agroecosystems. Environmental Management, 2002, 29: 683-690. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-001-0056-5

[22] Heuss, L., Grevé, M.E., Schäfer, D., Busch, V., Feldhaar, H.. Direct and indirect effects of land –use intensification on ant communities in temperate grasslands. Ecology and Evolution, 2019, 9(7): 4013-4024. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5030

[23] Hevia, V., Ortega, J., Azcárate, F.M., López, C.A., González, J.A.. Exploring the effect of soil management intensity on taxonomic and functional diversity of ants in Mediterranean olive groves. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2019, 21(1): 109-118. https://doi.org/10.111/afe.12313

[24] Humbert, J.Y, Ghasoul, J., Walter, T.. Meadow harvesting techniques and their impacts on field fauna. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 2008, 130: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2008.11.014

[25] Humbert, J.Y., Ghazoul, J., Sauter, G. J., Walter, T.. Impact of different meadow mowing techniques on field invertebrates. Journal of Applied Entomology, 2010, 134: 592-599. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2009.01503.x

[26] Lionello, P., Melanotte-Rizzoli, P., Boscolo, R., Alpert, P., Artale, V., Li, L., Luterbacher, J., May, W., Trigo, R. M., Tsimplis, M., Ulbrich, U., Xoplaki, E.. The Mediterranean Climate: An Overview of the Main Characteristics and Issues. Developments in Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006, 4: 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1571-9197(06)80003-0

[27] Lodolini, E.M., Neri. D., Gangatharan, R., Ponzio, C.. Organic olive farming. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2013, 8(49): 6426-6434. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2013.7786

[28] Mashavakure, N., Mashingaidze, A.B., Masundire, R., Nhamo, N., Edson, G., Thierfelder, C., Muposhi, V.K.. Spider community shift in response to farming practices in a sub-humid agroecosystem of southern Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 2018, 272: 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.11.020

[29] Mazalova, M., Šipoš, J., Rada, S., Kašak, J., Šarapatka, J., Kuras, T.. Responses of grassland arthropods to various biodiversity-friendly management practices: Is there a compromise?. European Journal of Entomology, 2015, 112: 734-746. doi. 10.14411/eje.2015.076

[30] Milgroom, J., Soriano, M.A., Garrido, J.M., Gómez, J.A.. The influence of a shift from conventional to organic olive farming on soil management and erosion risk in southern Spain. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 2007, 22(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170507001500

[31] Moris, T.I., Symondson, W.O.C., Kidd, N.A.C., Jervis, M.A., Campos, M.. Are ants significant predators of the olive moth, Prays oleae? Crop protection, 1998, 17(4): 365-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-2194(98)00016-7

[32] Müller, J., Heinze, J., Joshi, J., Boch, S., Klaus, V.H., Fischer, M., Prati, D.. Influence of experimental soil disturbances on the diversity of plants in agricultural grasslands. Journal of Plant Ecology, 2014, 7(6): 509-517. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtt062

[33] Oppermann, R., Handwerk ,J., Holsten, M., Krismann, A.. Naturverträgliche Mähtechnik für das Feuchtgrünland [Nature-friendly mowing for wet grassland, preliminary study for E & E projects]. In: Voruntersuchung für das E & E - Vorhaben, ILN Singen, Bonn. 2000.

[34] Paoletti, M.G.. The role of earthworms for assessment of sustainability and as bioindicators. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environmment, 1999, 74: 137-155.

[35] Paredes, D., Cayuela, L., Campos, M.. Synergistic effects of ground cover and adjacent vegetation on natural enemies of olive insect pests. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 2013, 173: 72-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2013.04.016

[36] Parra López., C.. Sistemas de producción ecológica, integrada y convencional en olivar: Estudio de difusión de innovaciones y evaluación multifuncional [Organic, Integrated and Conventional Agricultural Systems in Olive Grove: A Diffusion of Innovations Analysis and Multifunctional Assessment]. Doctoral thesis, 2008. University of Córdoba. Spain.

[37] Pizzolotto, R., Mazzei, A., Bonacci, T., Scalercio, S., Iannotta, N., Brandmayr, P.. Ground beetles in Mediterranean olive agroecosystems: Their significance and functional role as bioindicators (Coleoptera, Carabidae). PLOS ONE, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194551

[38] Picchi, M.S., Bocci, G., Petacchi, R., Entling, M.H.. Effects of local and landscape factors on spiders and olive fruit flies. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 2013, 222: 138-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.01.045

[39] Řezáč, M., Heneberg, P.. Effect of uncut hay meadow strips on spiders. Biologia, 2018, 73: 43-51. doi.10.2478/s11756-081-0015-8

[40] Rieux, R., Simon, S., Defrance, H.. Role of hedgerows and ground cover management on arthropod populations in pear orchards. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 1999, 73(2): 119-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00021-3

[41] Rodriguez, E., Gonzáles, B., Campos, M.. Natural enemies associated with cereal cover crops in olive groves. Bulletin of Insectology, 2012, 65(1): 43-49.

[42] Santos, S., Cabanas. J., Pereira, J.. Abundance and diversity of soil arthropods in olive grove ecosystem (Portugal): Effect of pitfall trap type. European Journal of Soil Biology, 2007, 43(2): 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2006.10.001

[43] Saska, P.. Granivory in terrestrial isopods. Ecological Entomology, 2008, 33: 742–747.

[44] Schmidt, L.. Tablice za determinaciju insekata. Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, 1970.

[45] Schwerk, A., Kitka, M.A.. Influence of mowing measures on carabid beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in post-agricultural area. Periodicum Biologorum, 2016, 118(3): 163-169. https://doi.org/10.18054/pb.2016.118.3.3919

[46] Sharley, D.J., Hoffmann, A., Thomson, L. J.. The effects of soil tillage on invertebrates within the vineyard. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2008, 10(3): 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2008.01026.x

[47] Simoes, M.P., Belo, A.F., Pinto-Cruz, C., Pinheiro, A.C.. Natural vegetation management to conserve biodiversity and soil water in olive orchards. Spanis Journal of Agricultural Researches, 2014, 12(3): 633-643. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2014123-5255

[48] Souty-Grosset, C., Fabery, A.. Effect of agricultural practices on terrestrial isopods: a review. Zookeyes, 2018, 801: 63-96. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.801.24680

[49] Šarić Jelaska, L., Drakšić, M., Radić Lakoš, T., Jelaska, S.. Impact of two types of management on arthropods diversity in olive groves. 11 Croatian biological Congress, Book of Abstracts, Croatian Biological Society, 2012, 1885: 81 – 82.

[50] Tischler, W.. Grundzüge der terrestrichen Tierōkologie. Friedrich Vieweg und Sohn, Braunschweig, 1949.

[51] Twardowski, J. P., Pastuszko, K., Hurej, M., Gruss, I.. Effect of Different Management Practices in Groun beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages of Uphill Grasslands. Polish Journal of Ecology, 2017, 65(3): 400-409. https://doi.org/10.3161/15052249PJE2017.65.007

[52] Vitanović, E., Ivezić, M., Kačić, S., Katalinić, M., Durbešić, P., Igrc Barčić, J.. Arthropod communities within the olive canopy as bioindicators of different management systems. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 2018, 16(2): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2018162-12385

[53] Way, M.J., Kho, K.C.. Role of ants in pest management. Annual Review of Entomology, 1992, 37: 479-503. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.002403

[54] Zhao, Z. H., Hui, C., He, D. H., Li., B. L.. Effects of agricultural intensification on ability of natural enemies to control aphids. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5: 8024. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08024

[55] Zimmer, M.. Nutrition in terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea): an evolutionary-ecological approach. Biological Reviews, 2002, 77: 455–493. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1464793102005912

Downloads

How to Cite

Franin, K., Kapić, N., Marcelić, Šime, & Šikić, Z. (2020). The Effects of Ground Cover Mowing Height on the Fauna of Ground-dwelling Arthropods in Olive Grove. Research in Ecology, 2(2), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v2i2.1776

Issue

Article Type

Articles