Distribution of the spider community in the olive grove agroecosystem (Portugal): potential bioindicators

Abstract

1 Spiders are successful natural enemies in different crops. Research on the role of spiders as natural enemies within agroecosystems needs to address the distribution of their communities across different spatial scales, as well as the dominant species. 2 We studied the spatial distribution of the community of spiders of the olive agroecosystem in Northeastern Portugal and investigated potential species that could be used as bioindicators of agricultural management in the olive grove. 3 We found nine functional groups (ambushers, foliage runner hunters, ground hunters, orb-web builders, sheet web builders, sensing web-builders, space web builders, stalkers and wandering sheet/tangle weavers) encompassing a community that changed significantly across the horizontal and vertical gradient. 4 We propose Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1870 as potential bioindicator for the ground of the olive grove central area and Ozyptila pauxilla (Simon, 1870) for the ground of the olive grove peripheral area. 5 Adjacent shrubland areas could play an important role in biological control of pests, allowing the exchange of species and individuals with the olive crop. The role of agrobiont species as indicators of agricultural managements deserves further investigation towards the enhancement of the effectiveness of spiders within low-impact crop management in arable landscapes.

Functional diversity of epigeal spiders in the olive grove agroecosystem in northeastern Portugal: a comparison between crop and surrounding semi‐natural habitats

“…These families are typically found in Mediterranean habitats, coinciding with olive‐growing areas. These results agree with those obtained in previous studies (Cárdenas et al, 2012; Dinis et al, 2016a; Picchi et al, 2016; Benhadi‐Marín et al, 2018, 2020).…”

“…The surrounding shrubland habitat represents an important type of land cover in the study area, corresponding to a typical Mediterranean habitat. The sampled areas are homogeneous and mainly characterized by an herbaceous stratum dominated by plants belonging to the families Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae, a stratum of shrubs dominated by species such as Cistus ladanifer L., Cytisus spp., Lavandula spp., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott, and Crataegus monogyna Jacq., and an upper layer dominated by trees such as Quercus rotundifolia Lam., Quercus pyrenaica Willd., and Arbutus unedo L. (Benhadi‐Marín et al, 2020).…”

“…However, the structure and ecology of the arthropod community associated with olive cultivation are not yet fully understood; many aspects remain to be clarified, in terms of its value and role in natural limitation of pests. For this, an approach based on specific traits (e.g., diet or hunting strategy) related to pest control could help to establish diversity patterns in a broad geographical context, regardless of the identity of individuals at the species level (Benhadi-Marín et al, 2020).…”

Contrasting beta diversity of spiders, carabids, and ants at local and regional scales in a black soil region, northeast China

“…Accordingly, it is wise to think that soil variables are more important drivers at local scales, and climate and spatial variables are more relevant when considering regional scales for soil arthropod species distribution. Spiders, carabids, and ants are successful natural enemies for pest control in agroecosystems (Eyre et al, 2016;Jacquot et al, 2017;Benhadi-Marín et al, 2020). They are sensitive agroecosystem bioindicators that have been used to monitor anthropogenic impact and agroecosystem health (Widhiono et al, 2017;Avgın et al, 2010;Borchard et al, 2014).…”

Effect of Organic Farming and Agricultural Abandonment on Beneficial Arthropod Communities Associated with Olive Groves in Western Spain: Implications for Bactrocera oleae Management

“…The structurally more complex vegetation of abandoned groves provided a wider range of microhabitats and especially more resources for feeding and refuge, which may have favored these groups. Several studies have shown that spiders are constrained by different habitat features at a local scale (e.g., [60,61]), favoring habitats with more complex vegetation architecture [62][63][64][65] and increased prey availability [66,67]. Therefore, the characteristics of the abandoned groves allowed them to sustain richer and more abundant spider communities.…”