Forest fires modify the beneficial arthropods community, but do not affect productivity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.26.36.1.0.2545Keywords:
pollinators, natural enemies, rural-urban interface, agroecosystems, Rubus ideaus, Andean Patagonian streamsAbstract
1. Natural areas (NA) provide essential contributions to agroecosystems through the flow of beneficial organisms. However, wildfires affect the rural–urban interface where agricultural production coexists with patches of NA. While the effects of wildfires on natural ecosystems and their socio-economic implications have been widely studied, there is limited evidence on their impact on crop productivity through altered biological interactions.
2. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between a recent wildfire and the abundance and composition of flower visitor (FV) and natural enemy (NE) communities, as well as raspberry fruit production. We compared six raspberry farms located near burned NA with six distant farms, following a wildfire that occurred shortly before sampling.
3. We found that FV abundance was 58% higher on farms near the burned areas compared to those further away, while NE communities were not affected.
4. Visits by native bees and beetles were more frequent on the near-burn farms, particularly during spring.
5. However, changes in FV abundance did not influence crop productivity.
6. Implications. We discuss potential mechanisms behind these responses and highlight the role of cultivated areas as habitat refuges for native bees and beetles following the destruction of surrounding natural areas.
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