The dispersion of Coleoptera in ecological and conventional farming conditions

Vladimír Langraf, Kornélia Petrovičová and Janka Schlarmannová

Abstract: Changes in the structures of abundance of Coleoptera reflect changes in the ecological status of their habitats. The aim of this research was to assess the dispersion of individual Coleoptera in ecological an conventional farming conditions and the influence of environmental variables (pH soil, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen) on the abundance of Coleoptera. Between the years 2018 to 2021, we collected 18 207 individual Coleoptera in ecological farming conditions (Pisum sativum, Grass mixture, Triticum spelta and T. aestivum) and conventional farming conditions (Brassica napus, Hordeum vulgare and Zea mays). We used the pitfall trap method for sampling. The dispersion of individual Coleoptera was highest around Zea mays crops (integrated farming) and Grass mixture (ecological farming). We confirmed an increasing number of individuals where there were increasing values of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in ecological farming. In contrast, we found a declining number of individuals with declining values of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in conventional farming. Our results suggest that agricultural intensification affects the abundance of Coleoptera in ecological and conventional farming conditions. An abundance of Coleoptera and soil structure stability are important for the production of biomass and also affect crop yields.

Keywords: Agrosystems; central Europe; crop; diversity; soil management

Date published: 2023-02-24