Perennial Flowering Plants Sustain Natural Enemy Populations in Gobi Desert Oases of Southern Xinjiang, China

Natural habitats play crucial roles in biodiversity conservation and shape the delivery of ecosystem services in farming landscapes. By providing diverse resources to foraging natural enemies, they can equally enhance biological pest control. In this study, we described the plant community and folia...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yangtian Liu, Bing Liu, Qian Li, Mengxiao Sun, Minlong Li, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Peiling Wang, Yanhui Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-04-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/5/399
Description
Summary:Natural habitats play crucial roles in biodiversity conservation and shape the delivery of ecosystem services in farming landscapes. By providing diverse resources to foraging natural enemies, they can equally enhance biological pest control. In this study, we described the plant community and foliage-dwelling invertebrate predators within non-crop habitats of the Gobi Desert oases in southern Xinjiang, China. We assessed whether plant-related variables (i.e., species identity, flowering status) and herbivore abundance affect natural enemy identity and abundance. A total of 18 plant species belonging to 18 genera and 10 families were commonly encountered, with <i>Apocynum pictum</i> (Apocynaceae), <i>Phragmites communis</i> (Poaceae), <i>Karelinia caspia</i> (Asteraceae), and <i>Tamarix ramosissima</i> (Tamaricaceae) as the dominant species. Certain plant species (<i>P. communis</i>) primarily provide shelter, while others offer (floral, non-floral) food resources or alternative prey. Predatory ladybeetles and spiders were routinely associated with these plants and foraged extensively within adjacent field crops. Plant traits and herbivore abundance explained up to 44% (3%–44%) variation in natural enemy community and exhibited consistent, year-round effects. Among all plant species, <i>A. pictum</i> consistently had a significantly higher abundance of resident natural enemies, except for August 2019. Our study underlines how perennial flowering plants, such as <i>A. pictum,</i> are essential to sustain natural enemy communities and related ecosystem services in arid settings. This work not only informs sustainable pest management initiatives but also shows how non-crop habitats at the periphery of agricultural fields underpin ecological resilience under adverse climatic conditions.
ISSN:2075-4450