Contrasting Effects of Tillage and Landscape Structure on Spiders and Springtails in Vineyards

Alexandra Pfingstmann, Daniel Paredes, Jacob Buchholz, Pascal Querner, Thomas Bauer (), Peter Strauss, Sophie Kratschmer, Silvia Winter and Johann Zaller
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Alexandra Pfingstmann: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Daniel Paredes: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Jacob Buchholz: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Pascal Querner: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Peter Strauss: Institute for Land and Water Management Research, Austrian Federal Agency for Water Management, A-3252 Petzenkirchen, Austria
Sophie Kratschmer: Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Silvia Winter: Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Johann Zaller: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), A-1180 Vienna, Austria

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Interactions between predatory species and their potential prey are little studied in vineyards, especially considering the surrounding landscape structure. We examined the effects of soil tillage intensities in vineyard inter-rows on the activity density and diversity of spiders (Araneae) and springtails (Collembola), their potential preys, and assessed whether these effects are altered by non-crop elements in the surrounding landscape. We collected data in 16 vineyards in Austria; eight were periodically mechanically disturbed (PMD), eight had permanent green cover (PGC). The study vineyards were embedded in landscapes ranging from structurally simple to complex. Both, spiders and springtails were collected with pitfall traps. Data analyses using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) showed different effects of soil tillage intensities on spiders and springtails and an interaction with semi-natural elements (SNEs) in the surrounding landscape. Activities of springtails were higher under PMD than under PGC while spider activity density remained unaffected. Spider family Shannon diversity was lower under PMD than under PGC, while springtail species Shannon diversity was unaffected by tillage. Under PMD, spider activity and family diversity decreased with increasing SNEs in the surroundings indicating spider emigration away from vineyards. Under PGC, spider activity density increased with increasing SNE proportions in the surroundings when springtail activity density was high. Our findings suggest that recommendations on sustainable vineyard management should include both site and landscape factors.

Keywords: agroecology; viticulture; soil cultivation; landscape ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:7:p:2095-:d:220992

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