Abstract Detail

Ecology

Zgurzynski, Katarzyna [1], Vasseur, Liette [1].

Native plant and insect communities along perimeter plantings and interiors of vineyards.

Niagara Region is situated in the Carolinian Canada Life Zone, and home to many vineyards. As monocultures, the way these vineyards are structured and managed can make a big difference to the local biodiversity. In this study, plant and insect species in both organic and conventional vineyards were surveyed within their perimeters and vineyard interiors. Native and invasive plant species were identified, as were beneficial and pest species of insects. Beneficial insects included in the study were some predatory beetles and parasitoid wasps, while pests were aphids, thrips, and leafhoppers. The results showed that more native plants and invasive plants were found in the perimeters of vineyards. Organic vineyards had greater insect abundance overall, but plant species diversity didn’t significantly differ. Native plants and beneficial insects were positively correlated, and there was a slight correlation with native plants and pest insects, as well as overall insect abundance. Other non-native non-invasive plant species were negatively correlated with beneficial insects and insect abundance in general. Invasive plants did not show significant correlation with either groups of insects, though was correlated to insects that were not pests or beneficials. Biological insect control is just one of the ecosystem services that landscapes rich in native plants can provide. Perimeter plantings can provide habitat for more biodiversity than would be found within the vineyard, and they contain more native species. Depending on the types of species present, this can impact beneficial insect populations by providing sustenance and shelter. Understanding how insect and plant distributions occur in the landscape can help inform management practices that aim at optimizing these processes, and thus improve ecosystem services in agroecosystems. These results contribute to a better understanding of how vineyard management, structure, and diversity can impact beneficial insect populations, which can inform sustainable practices within viticulture.

1 - Brock University, Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S3A1, Canada

Keywords:
Native Plants
Vineyards
Parasitoids
Entomology
Ecology
Agroecosystems.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ECO4, Ecology: Community Assemblages, Succession and Marcescence
Location: /
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 10:30 AM(EDT)
Number: ECO4003
Abstract ID:876
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award