Can we enhance biological control in agriculture by manipulating habitats? This review examines the ecologically based approach of habitat management, a form of conservation biological control, aimed at favoring natural enemies and enhancing biological control in agricultural systems. The research highlights the creation of a suitable ecological infrastructure within agricultural landscapes to provide resources like food, alternative prey, and shelter. These resources are temporally and spatially tailored for natural enemies and practical for producers. The review synthesizes the expanding literature on habitat management, focusing on practices that favor predators and parasitoids, and discussing the integration of habitat management with modeling and ecological theory. The potential for aligning habitat management goals for natural enemies with broader nature conservation objectives is also discussed, offering a pathway towards more sustainable and ecologically balanced agricultural practices.
Published in Annual Review of Entomology, this review directly addresses the journal's focus on entomological research and its applications to agriculture. The synthesis of habitat management practices for pest control aligns with the journal's mission to advance understanding of insect biology and its relevance to agricultural systems.
Category | Category Repetition |
---|---|
Agriculture: Plant culture | 969 |
Science: Zoology | 881 |
Agriculture: Animal culture | 776 |
Science: Biology (General): Ecology | 510 |
Agriculture | 484 |