The LINK IFS Project - the effect of crop rotations and cropping systems on Carabidae.

Abstract

Carabid beetle populations are known to respond to broad-spectrum insecticides and to some farming practices which themselves are determined by the type of crop and the rotation. The activity/density of Carabidae over several years within four different rotations was examined as part of the environmental appraisal of the LINK Integated Farming Systems Project. Carabid activity differed the most between research sites and between individual fields. Seed potato crops were found to greatly reduce carabid activity and this effect was noticeable in the following crops for up to two years. No distinct difference in carabid activity was found between the crops managed using the conventional and integrated farming systems, although there were fluctuations which could not be explained by the management options.