Thinking Beyond the Crop in High Tunnels

Thinking Outside the Crop: Influence of Surrounding Landscapes on Ecosystem

Services in Crop Fields

Megan Woltz

Surrounding landscapes also provide resources

Megan Woltz

Surrounding landscapes provide resources

4

Habitat diversity and more non-crop area support more NEs

Increased NE abundance

Increased # of NE species

Increased predation/ parasitism of crop pests

Increased NE abundance

Increased # of NE species

Increased predation/ parasitism of crop pests

Increased NE abundance

Increased # of NE species

Increased predation/ parasitism of crop pests

Increased NE abundance

Increased # of NE species

Increased predation/ parasitism of crop pests

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Landscape simplification leads to increased insecticide use

• Non-crop habitat– Wooded habitats (forest, woodlots)– Grasslands (old fields, prairies, CRP)

Types of Habitats Supporting NEs

NativeConnections

White Oak Nursery

Megan Woltz

Megan Woltz

• Linear habitats– Fencerows– Roadside vegetation

Types of Habitats Supporting NEs

Megan Woltz Megan Woltz

• forage crops• pasture

Types of Habitats Supporting NEs

Biogis.eu

Scales at which landscape effects act

Scales at which landscape effects act

Scales at which landscape effects act

What would you do?