Tillage effects on functional biodiversity and trophic interactions in carabid communities and their implications for biocontrol resilience

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of tillage on the resilience of potential biological
control services delivered by carabid beetles in agroecosystems. By comparing no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CV) systems in winter cereal fields, we aim to elucidate whether reduced tillage practices can promote the functional biodiversity of carabid communities, thereby enhancing their resilience to agroecosystem disturbances and climate change. For this purpose, the diversity and composition of carabid assemblages sampled during biodiversity assessments in NT and CV fields will be coupled with functional traits of individual carabid species and linked to species-specific thermal niches. Moreover, the effects of tillage on intraguild predation and alternative prey consumption in carabid communities will be examined via molecular gut content analysis in order to determine whether enhanced habitat complexity in no-till fields facilitates the coexistence of generalist predators. Results will provide insights into the role of tillage in fostering biological control resilience.