The resilience of weed seedbank regulation by carabid beetles, at continental scales, to alternative prey

Carbonne, Benjamin; Petit, Sandrine; Neidel, Veronika; Foffová, Hana; Daouti, Eirini; Frei, Britta; Skuhrovec, Jiří; Řezáč, Milan; Saska, Pavel; Wallinger, Corinna; Traugott, Michael; Bohan, David

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-76305-w

Cited by 45 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(116 reference statements)

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“…Using inferred networks as a null model may show how the mechanistic models need to be refined, for example, including the effect of traits such as seed shape, integument thickness or lipid content (Gaba et al., 2019 ; Honek et al., 2007 ; Sebastián‐González et al., 2017 ), or other local drivers, for example, total seed abundance, vegetative cover, or the presence of alternate invertebrate prey. Competition for alternate prey or density dependence in the risk index would lead to prey switching (Gendron, 1987 ; Manly et al., 1972 ), which has recently been inferred for carabids from empirical data (Carbonne et al., 2020 ; Gray et al., 2021 ). Therefore, when suitable data are available, each of these assumptions could be tested in future models.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Inferring species interactions from ecological survey data: A mechanistic approach to predict quantitative food webs of seed feeding by carabid beetles

Pocock

Schmucki

Bohan

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Ecological networks are valuable for ecosystem analysis but their use is often limited by a lack of data because many types of ecological interaction, for example, predation, are short‐lived and difficult to observe or detect. While there are different methods for inferring the presence of interactions, they have rarely been used to predict the interaction strengths that are required to construct weighted, or quantitative, ecological networks. Here, we develop a trait‐based approach suitable for inferring weighted networks, that is, with varying interaction strengths. We developed the method for seed‐feeding carabid ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) although the principles can be applied to other species and types of interaction. Using existing literature data from experimental seed‐feeding trials, we predicted a per‐individual interaction cost index based on carabid and seed size. This was scaled up to the population level to create inferred weighted networks using the abundance of carabids and seeds from empirical samples and energetic intake rates of carabids from the literature. From these weighted networks, we also derived a novel measure of expected predation pressure per seed type per network. This method was applied to existing ecological survey data from 255 arable fields with carabid data from pitfall traps and plant seeds from seed rain traps. Analysis of these inferred networks led to testable hypotheses about how network structure and predation pressure varied among fields. Inferred networks are valuable because (a) they provide null models for the structuring of food webs to test against empirical species interaction data, for example, DNA analysis of carabid gut regurgitates and (b) they allow weighted networks to be constructed whenever we can estimate interactions between species and have ecological census data available. This permits ecological network analysis even at times and in places when interactions were not directly assessed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Inferring species interactions from ecological survey data: A mechanistic approach to predict quantitative food webs of seed feeding by carabid beetles

Pocock

Schmucki

Bohan

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Instead, seed foraging behaviors in carabid seed predators are more likely driven by specific biological needs that are likely to influence predation dynamics in certain ways (Carbonne et al, 2020;Davis et al, 2011;Headrick & Goeden, 2001).…”

Section: Weed S Eed Con Sump Ti On By C Ar Ab Id Predator Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Predatory carabids prey upon a wide array of agricultural pests including aphids, dipteran eggs and midges, lepidopteran caterpillars, springtails, earthworms, and slugs (Clark et al., 1994 ; Floate et al., 1990 ; Kromp, 1999 ; Suenaga & Hamamura, 1998 ). In addition, numerous species of carabid predators are known to feed on seeds of weed species after seed shed (Carbonne et al., 2020 ; Kulkarni et al., 2015a ; Lundgren, Ellsbury, & Prischmann, 2009 ). Some species of Harpalus sp.…”

Section: Weed Seed Consumption By Carabid Predatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies on seed‐feeding habits have revealed that the distinction between omnivory and granivory in carabid species is ambiguous, however, as the two feeding habits often overlap (Fawki et al., 2003 ; Fawki & Toft, 2005 ). For example, some carabid species originally proposed to feed strictly on animal prey were found to also include considerable amounts of weed seeds in their diets (Carbonne et al., 2020 ). Similarly, multiple species of carabids within the genera Amara sp.…”

Section: Weed Seed Consumption By Carabid Predatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The biology of seed discrimination and its role in shaping the foraging ecology of carabids: A review

Ali

Willenborg

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Species of carabid (ground) beetles are among the most important postdispersal weed seed predators in temperate arable lands. Field studies have shown that carabid beetles can remove upwards of 65%-90% of specific weed seeds shed in arable fields each year. Such data do not explain how and why carabid predators go after weed seeds, however. It remains to be proven that weed seed predation by carabids is a genuine ecological interaction driven by certain ecological factors or functional traits that determine interaction strength and power predation dynamics, bringing about therefore a natural regulation of weed populations. Along these lines, this review ties together the lines of evidence around weed seed predation by carabid predators. Chemoperception rather than vision seems to be the primary sensory mechanism guiding seed detection and seed selection decisions in carabid weed seed predators. Selection of weed seeds by carabid seed predators appears directed rather than random. Yet, the nature of the chemical cues mediating detection of different seed species and identification of the suitable seed type among them remains unknown. Selection of certain types of weed seeds cannot be predicted based on seed chemistry per se in all cases, however. Rather, seed selection decisions are ruled by sophisticated behavioral mechanisms comprising the assessment of both chemical and physical characteristics of the seed. The ultimate selection of certain weed seed types is determined by how the chemical and physical properties of the seed match with the functional traits of the predator in terms of seed handling ability. Seed density, in addition to chemical and physical seed traits, is also an important factor that is likely to shape seed selection decisions in carabid weed seed predators. Carabid responses to seed density are rather complex as they are influenced not only by seed numbers but also by trait-based suitability ranks of the different seed types available in the environment.

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“…Crop rotations offer many levers to apply diverse selective pressure on weed populations to manage their abundance and composition above ground and in the seedbank (Bohan et al, 2011b; Murphy et al, 2006). Weed seed predation by ground beetles (Coletptera:Carabidea) can reduce seed accumulation in the seedbank and contribute to weeds regulation and cropping systems (Bohan et al, 2011a; Carbonne et al, 2020; Frei et al, 2019; Kulkarni et al, 2015; Petit et al, 2018). Post-dispersal seed predation by carabid beetles is well documented, with studies having focussed on their diet and foraging behaviour (Deroulers and Bretagnolle, 2019; Gaba et al, 2019; Honek et al, 2013; Petit et al, 2014), their distribution in arable fields (Lami et al, 2020), and their response to the surrounding landscape (Petit et al, 2017; Trichard et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined effect of crop rotation and carabid beetles on weed dynamics in arable fields

Schmucki

Bohan

Pocock

2020

Preprint

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Weed management is a resource-intensive practice in arable agriculture, with direct and long-term impacts on both productivity and biodiversity (e.g. plant, pollinators and farmland wildlife). In conventional systems, weed control relies on crop management and herbicide inputs, but for more sustainable production systems, use of herbicides needs to be reduced. This requires a good understanding of the processes that regulate arable weed dynamics in arable fields.We adopted a systems framework to understand and model interacting components that drive the weed dynamics in 168 arable fields. Within this framework, we built a structural equation model (SEM) to quantify the direct and indirect effects of crop rotation (i.e. crops in the previous three years and the current year) and carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on weed density, seed abundance and accumulation in the seedbank. We included results from a mechanistic approach to infer interactions between seed-feeding carabid beetles and seeds to estimate predation pressure in each field.Our results show that weeds in arable fields are regulated by crop type, sowing season, and activity density of carabid beetles. We found a direct effect of crop rotation, including both past and current field management practice, on weed abundance in the field and its seedbank. There was also an indirect effect of crops on weed seed accumulation in the seedbank via the effect of seed-eating carabid beetles. The efficiency of weed control by carabid beetles depended on the cumulative predation pressure, which indicates the importance of functional diversity as well as abundance.Farmers and agronomists can capitalise on the ecosystem services provided by carabid beetles by adapting agronomic practices and crop rotation to maintain a rich fauna of seed-eating carabids in fields and potentially across the agricultural landscapes. When integrated with rotational management practices, this ecosystem services can improve the efficiency of weed management and contribute to the sustainability of cropping systems.

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The resilience of weed seedbank regulation by carabid beetles, at continental scales, to alternative prey

Cited by 45 publications

References 65 publications

Inferring species interactions from ecological survey data: A mechanistic approach to predict quantitative food webs of seed feeding by carabid beetles

Inferring species interactions from ecological survey data: A mechanistic approach to predict quantitative food webs of seed feeding by carabid beetles

The biology of seed discrimination and its role in shaping the foraging ecology of carabids: A review

Combined effect of crop rotation and carabid beetles on weed dynamics in arable fields

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