Search results for "landscape simplification"

Landscape effects on crop pest biocontrol are modulated by local pesticide use

2019

International audience; Control of crop pests by their natural enemies provide a valuable but poorly quantified ecosystem service in farmland. Complex landscapes including semi-natural habitats are expected to favour natural enemies thereby enhancing natural pest biocontrol in crops. However, when considering a large number of situations, the response of natural biocontrol to landscape properties is globally inconsistent, a possible explanation being that local agricultural practices counteract landscape effects. Here, we report on survey conducted along a crossed gradient of pesticide use intensity and landscape simplification that analysed the interactive effects of landscape characterist…