Crop, field boundary, productivity and disturbance influences on ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the agroecosystem

Ground beetles were sampled in nine crops and four field boundary types on a split conventional/organic farm in northern England in the five years 2005–2009. Multivariate analyses indicated that a combination of crop type, management and boundary type influenced ground beetle species and group activity. Short vegetation boundaries with bare ground had similar activity, mainly of small species, to that in organic arable crops, contrasting with activity in conventional arable and more densely vegetated boundaries. Large, medium-sized, herbivorous and Collembola feeding species all had considerable activity in oilseed rape and activity was generally greatest in conventional arable crops but least in conventional grass. Disturbance and productivity estimations provided basic insights into ground beetle activity. Most small and medium-sized species were found in areas with low productivity but high and low disturbance, respectively. Large and Collembola feeding species were most active in highly productive areas with medium and low disturbance whilst most herbivorous species preferred medium values of both drivers. In crops, species richness was greatest in organic beans and conventional oilseed rape and lowest in conventional grass. There were more species in short vegetation boundaries than in more densely vegetated field edges. There may be potential for the use of productivity and disturbance estimations in the provision of ecosystem services, especially in assessing the conditions required to optimise ground beetle activity for pest control.

► Carabidae were sampled in nine crops and four field boundary types for five years.
► Most activity was in conventional arable crops and short herbaceous boundaries.
► Species richness was highest in organic beans, conventional oilseed rape and short boundaries.
► Carabid species and group activity was driven by a combination of disturbance and productivity.