Differential responses of Orthoptera in vineyards to organic farming, pesticide reduction, and landscape heterogeneity

• Published in: Journal of insect conservation 2023-10, Vol.27 (5), p.729-741
• Main Authors: Kaczmarek, Marvin, Gillich, Melanie, Entling, Martin H., Hoffmann, Christoph, Schirmel, Jens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Animal Ecology; Biodiversity; Biodiversity loss; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Composition; Conservation; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Dominant species; Entomology; Environmental impact; Farming; Fruits; Grapes; Herbs; Heterogeneity; Insecticide resistance; Insects; Landscape; Landscape preservation; landscapes; Life Sciences; management systems; Organic farming; Original Paper; Orthoptera; Pesticide application; Pesticide use reduction; Pesticides; Phaneroptera; Species composition; species diversity; Sulfur; Vineyards; Viticulture; Wildlife conservation; Wineries & vineyards
• ISSN: 1366-638X; 1572-9753
• DOI: 10.1007/s10841-023-00493-9

Conservation measures such as those under the European Green Deal aim to counteract the biodiversity loss by increasing the share of organic farming and reducing pesticide use, as well as increasing the proportion of semi-natural habitats (SNH) in agricultural landscapes. Given the large environmental impacts of agriculture, it is important to thoroughly understand effects of such measures on organisms to provide evidence-based and effective implications for conservation. In this study, we analysed how vineyard management, pesticide reduction, and landscape composition affect Orthoptera densities and species composition. Therefore, we sampled herb- and vine-dwelling orthopterans in a paired design of classic and fungus-resistant grape (FRG) varieties in conventionally and organically managed vineyards along a landscape heterogeneity gradient. Here, FRG varieties allowed us to study the effect of 44% reduced pesticide applications under real-world conditions. Total densities of herb-dwelling Orthoptera did not differ between grape varieties in conventional vineyards, but were 2.9 times higher in FRG varieties under organic management. In contrast, total densities of vine-dwelling Orthoptera, mainly driven by the dominant species Phaneroptera falcata , were similar between grape varieties in organic vineyards, but tended to be 1.4 times higher in classic grapes under conventional management. Furthermore, the management system and SNH in a radius of 500 m in the surrounding landscape influenced species composition. Implications for insect conservation Our work shows that the cultivation of FRG varieties, at least in organic viticulture, clearly benefits some orthopteran species. It appears that the reduction of non-specific pesticides such as copper and sulfur is important to mitigate negative effects and promote Orthoptera in viticulture.