Functional diversity positively affects prey suppression by invertebrate predators: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: The use of pesticides within agricultural ecosystems has led to wide concern regarding negative effects on the environment. One possible alternative is the use of predators of pest species that naturally occur within agricultural ecosystems. However, the mechanistic basis for how species can be manipulated in order to maximize pest control remains unclear. We carried out a meta-analysis of 51 studies that manipulated predator species richness in reference to suppression of herbivore prey to determine which components of predator diversity affect pest control. Overall, functional diversity (FD) based on predator's habitat domain, diet breadth and hunting strategy was ranked as the most important variable. Our analysis showed that increases in FD in polycultures led to greater prey suppressi

SUBMITTER: Greenop A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6099248 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature