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OOS-14: Ecology of arable plants: Linking invertebrate and weed population
dynamics
Endorsed
by the Canadian Weed Science Society
Tuesday,
August 9, 8 AM - 11:30 AM, Meeting Rooms 511a and 511d, Level 5, Palais des
congrès de Montréal
Organizers:
John Cussans (john.cussans@bbsrc.ac.uk),
Alice Mauchline, Katherine Gross
Description:
Within
arable ecosystems, the relationship between crop plants and invertebrates (as
pests) has been well studied. However, the relationship between invertebrates
and non-crop plants or “weeds” within arable ecosystems is less well
understood and is the subject of much current research. On a range of scales,
the availability of plants and seeds can act to govern the abundance of
invertebrate herbivores, pollinators, and specialist granivores. In addition, it
has become increasingly clear that invertebrate predation (in particular
granivory) can be a limiting factor in the population dynamics of non-crop
plants. Thus, an interesting ecological system exists, which this session will
be discussing covering a wide range of cropping systems and invertebrate and
plant species. Given the importance of plant and invertebrate species as a
foundation for improving biodiversity at higher trophic levels, it seems clear
that studies linking invertebrate and weed population dynamics should form the
basis of the development of management strategies that create healthy ecosystems
that preserve sustainability of agricultural production.
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