Effects of landscape context and land-use intensity on biodiversity and multitrophic interactions among plants, pollinators, herbivores, and their natural enemies

The project name ‚InsectScale’ includes the study of correlation of landscape structure and local habitat quality on trap nesting bees wasps and their natural enemies. The influence of management intensity and local management strategies on trophic levels still remain unknown so far. This study aims to offer a model system of trap nesting bees, wasps and their antagonists. The data can contribute to a new insight into the impact of landscape complexity on ecosystem functions like pollination pest control.

Figure: The photo shows a caterpillar fly on a white flower

Hypotheses

1. Landscape context affects species richness in addition to local habitat quality.

2. Species traits, such as body size and trophic rank, and biotic interactions are correlated with specific spatial scales of response.

3. Complementarity of insect species contributes to biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, while non-random loss of species richness will reduce ecosystem functioning.

Methods

In April 2009, eight trap nests were installed on each of 20 grassland plots in Hainich-Dün, two on each of four wooden posts. Moreover, eight trap nests were installed in the canopy of 10 forest plots. They will be deinstalled at the end of September. The trap nesting bees and wasps will be reared after a diapause, pinned and identified. Food in the brood cells will be classified to arrange food webs.
Furthermore, the Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) will be released on 8 – 10 grassland plots in Hainich-Dün and the Schwäbische Alb to observe pollen foraging times, nest activity and individual fitness of the bees, nesting in 8 trap nests on each plot. Half of the plots are located nearby a flowering oilseed rape field, the other half as control has no oilseed rape in the neighborhood. The study aims to discover the impact of a time limited mass food resource as well as the influence of landscape structure on breeding success (number of cells, weight of cocoons) and individual fitness.

Publications

Landscape composition and configuration differently affect trap-nesting bees, wasps and their antagonists

Landschaftsvielfalt und –struktur wirken sich unterschiedlich auf stengelnistende Bienen, Wespen und ihre Gegenspieler aus

Steckel J., Westphal C., Peters M. K., Bellach M., Rothenwöhrer C., Erasmi S., Scherber C., Tscharntke T., Steffan-Dewenter I. (2014): Landscape composition and configuration differently affect trap-nesting bees, wasps and their antagonists. Biological Conservation 172, 56–64. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.015

Grassland management for stem-boring insects: Abandoning small patches is better than reducing overall intensity

Schutz von Grashalm-minierenden Insekten im Wirtschaftsgrünland

Rothenwöhrer C., Scherber C., Tscharntke T. (2013): Grassland management for stem-boring insects: Abandoning small patches is better than reducing overall intensity. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 167, 38–42. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2013.01.005

Effects of landscape heterogeneity and land use on interacting groups of solitary bees, wasps and their flying and ground-dwelling antagonists

Steckel J. (2013): Effects of landscape heterogeneity and land use on interacting groups of solitary bees, wasps and their flying and ground-dwelling antagonists. Dissertation, University Wuerzburg

Plant- herbivore- predator communities and grasslandmanagement intensity — Implications for biodiversity conservation practices on local and landscape scales

Rothenwöhrer C. (2012): Plant- herbivore- predator communities and grassland management intensity — Implications for biodiversity conservation practices on local and landscape scales. Dissertation, University Goettingen

Auswirkungen von Region, Pflanzendiversität und Massentracht auf den Reproduktionserfolg der roten Mauerbiene Osmia Bicornis

Aumer D.(2010): Auswirkungen von Region, Pflanzendiversität und Massentracht auf den Reproduktionserfolg der roten Mauerbiene Osmia Bicornis. Bachelor thesis, University Bayreuth

Vergleich der Landschaftsstruktur der drei Biodiversitätsexploratorien Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich und Schwäbische Alb

Ortmann A.(2010): Vergleich der Landschaftsstruktur der drei Biodiversitätsexploratorien Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich und Schwäbische Alb. Bachelor thesis, University Goettingen

Welchen Einfluss hat Raps auf das Nestbauverhalten der roten Mauerbiene Osmia bicornis?

Kühsel S. (2009): Welchen Einfluss hat Raps auf das Nestbauverhalten der roten Mauerbiene Osmia bicornis? Bachelor thesis, University Bayreuth