Predator body sizes and habitat preferences predict predation rates in an agroecosystem

• Published in: Basic and applied ecology Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 250 - 259
• Main Authors: Rusch, Adrien, Birkhofer, Klaus, Bommarco, Riccardo, Smith, Henrik G., Ekbom, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01.05.2015; Elsevier
• Subjects: agroecosystems; Aphididae; Aphidoidea; arable soils; Araneae; Biological control; body length; Body-size; Carabidae; Communities; Community relations; community structure; Ecology; Ecosystem functioning; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Ekologi; Functional diversity; grains; habitat preferences; Habitats; Intraguild predation; landscapes; Life Sciences; Life-history traits; natural enemies; pest control; Pests; predation; Predators; Predator–prey interactions; prediction; species diversity; Spiders; spring; Strength; terrestrial ecosystems; Biological control; Life-history traits; Ecosystem services; Ecosystem functioning; Body-size; Predator–prey interactions; Functional diversity; Intraguild predation; functional diversity; body-size; predator–prey interactions; ecosystem functioning; life-history traits; intraguild predation; biological control; ecosystem services

Top-down control of pest populations by their natural enemies is a crucial ecosystem service supporting agricultural production. The relationship between predator community composition and predation rates of pests remains poorly investigated. A deeper understanding of the processes shaping interacti...