Photo: Sagebrush Steppe, Eastern Washington. © 2016 Delena Norris-Tull
Embedding natural habitats within agriculture
Summaries of the research and commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, September 2020.
Problem: Non-native plant species often have no natural insect predators within the introduced ecosystem, other than those introduced on purpose, such as biocontrol agents.
Solution: Planting native species, creating diverse natural habitats next to, or within, a crop, can attract a wide variety of native insects that will eat, lay eggs on, etc. native plants. Those insects form an important layer of the food-web. They attract other insects who prey on insects. They also attract a wide variety of birds (e.g., quail, grouse, etc.) who are an important part of the ecosystem and that will also consume many of the insects that infest the crops. Many diverse native insects, including native bees, pollinate crop species as well as native plants.
In addition, having a native plant habitat near a monoculture crop can divert insects away from the crop. For more details, refer to Trap Cropping in the references below.
References:
Links to additional Agricultural Best Practices:
Links to more Innovative Solutions:
Embedding natural habitats within agriculture
Summaries of the research and commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, September 2020.
Problem: Non-native plant species often have no natural insect predators within the introduced ecosystem, other than those introduced on purpose, such as biocontrol agents.
Solution: Planting native species, creating diverse natural habitats next to, or within, a crop, can attract a wide variety of native insects that will eat, lay eggs on, etc. native plants. Those insects form an important layer of the food-web. They attract other insects who prey on insects. They also attract a wide variety of birds (e.g., quail, grouse, etc.) who are an important part of the ecosystem and that will also consume many of the insects that infest the crops. Many diverse native insects, including native bees, pollinate crop species as well as native plants.
In addition, having a native plant habitat near a monoculture crop can divert insects away from the crop. For more details, refer to Trap Cropping in the references below.
References:
- Pinero, J. (March 16, 2017). Trap cropping: A simple, effective, and affordable Integrated Pest Management strategy to control squash bugs and squash vine borers. Integrated Pest Management, The University of Missouri. https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2017/3/Trap_cropping/
- Wszelaki, A. (no date). Trap cropping, intercropping, and companion planting. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Extension brochure W235-F. https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/w235-f.pdf
Links to additional Agricultural Best Practices:
- Ecologically based Successional Management
- Perennial Crops, Intercropping, beneficial insects
- Soil Solarization
- Natural Farming
- Permaculture
- Organic Farming
- Conservation Tillage
- Crop Rotation
- Water Use Practices
- Tree Planting: Pros & Cons
Links to more Innovative Solutions: