A5040209469- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation
- Forest Management and Policy
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Organic Food and Agriculture
- Ecology, Conservation, and Geographical Studies
University of Freiburg
2016-2025
University of Konstanz
2014-2015
Humans modify ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide, with negative consequences for ecosystem functioning. Promoting plant diversity is increasingly suggested as a mitigation strategy. However, our mechanistic understanding of how affects the heterotrophic consumer communities remains limited. Here, we disentangle relative importance key components drivers herbivore, predator, parasitoid species richness in experimental forests grasslands. We find that effects on are consistently positive...
Recent studies have shown that the diversity of flowering plants can enhance pollinator richness and visitation frequency thereby increase resilience pollination. It is assumed flower traits explain these effects, but it still unclear which are responsible, knowing that, if more driven by mass‐ratio effects (mean trait values) or diversity. Here, we analyse a three‐year data set observations collected in European grassland plant experiment (The Jena experiment). The entail comprehensive...
Kocourekia fusis Cao & Zhu sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) is described and illustrated as a parasitoid of aculeate Hymenoptera. Females differ from those the other two species in by presence malar sulcus, prompting re-examination generic limits. A re-definition presented, its relationship with closely allied genera Melittobia complex discussed, key to provided.
Bees are the most important group of insect pollinators, but their populations declining. To gain a better understanding wild bee responses to different stressors (e.g. land-use change) and conservation measures, regional national monitoring schemes currently being established in Germany, which is used here as model region, many other countries. We offer perspectives on how best design future programs with focus evaluating implementation measures. discuss traditional novel sampling methods,...
Multi-trophic interactions maintain critical ecosystem functions. Biodiversity is declining globally, while responses of trophic to biodiversity change are largely unclear. Thus, studying multi-trophic interaction robustness crucial for understanding functioning and persistence. We investigate plant–Hemiptera (antagonism) Hemiptera–ant (mutualism) networks in response experimental manipulation tree diversity. show increased diversity at both higher levels (Hemiptera ants) through redundancy...
Addressing global biodiversity loss requires an expanded focus on multiple dimensions of biodiversity. While most studies have focused the consequences plant interspecific diversity, our mechanistic understanding how genetic diversity within species affects productivity remains limited. Here, we use a tree × experiment to disentangle effects and productivity, they are related functional trophic feedbacks. We found that increased via reduced soil fungal marginally herbivory. The were negative...
Abstract Cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) are a species‐rich family of obligate brood parasites (i.e. parasitoids and kleptoparasites) whose hosts range from sawflies, bees, to walking sticks moths. Their parasitic lifestyle has led the evolution fascinating adaptations, including chemical mimicry host odours by some species. Long‐term nomenclatural stability higher taxonomic units (e.g. genera, tribes, subfamilies) in this thorough understanding family's evolutionary history...
Abstract Hairiness is a salient trait of insect pollinators that has been linked to thermoregulation, pollen uptake and transportation, pollination success. Despite its potential importance in ecology, hairiness rarely included pollinator analyses. This likely due the lack standardized efficient methods measure hairiness. We describe novel methodology uses stereomicroscope equipped with live measurement module software quantitatively two components hairiness: hair density length. took...
Abstract Wild bees importantly pollinate both crop and wild plants. Yet, in intensive agricultural landscapes, are rare due to resource limitations of nectar pollen. Flower strips hedges often used as enhancements for overcome this shortage, but provide floral resources only during specific time periods. To sustain diverse stable bee communities, bee‐attractive flowers need be available the entire growing season. This may achieved by combining flower complement each other continuous...
Abstract Plant diversity affects multi-trophic communities, but in young regrowth forests, where forest insects are the process of re-establishment, other biotic and also abiotic factors might be more important. We studied cavity-nesting bees, wasps their natural enemies along an experimental tree gradient subtropical South-East China. compared insect communities forests with established nearby experiment tested for direct indirect effects diversity, basal area (a proxy biomass), canopy...
Abstract In intensive agricultural landscapes semi-natural habitats for pollinators are often limited, although willingness to establish pollinator habitat is increasing among farmers. A common enhancement measure provide flower strips, but existent or improved hedgerows might be more effective. this study, we compare the effectiveness of three measures at edges conventional apple orchards: (i) perennial (ii) hedgerows, and (iii) complemented with a sown herb layer. We used orchard without...
Abstract In an agricultural landscape, production and conservation ideally go hand in hand. a win‐win scenario, measures, such as hedges flower strips, provide support for biodiversity crop example by increased pollination pollinator diversity. However, these measures may also decrease attracting pollinators competing with visits. Here, we studied plant–pollinator interactions from two different perspectives. First, looked at the perspective investigating whether networks differed between...
Environmental factors can influence ecological networks, but these effects are poorly understood in the realm of phylogeny host-parasitoid interactions. Especially, we lack a comprehensive understanding ways that biotic factors, including plant species richness, overall community phylogenetic and functional composition consumers, abiotic such as microclimate, determining host–parasitoid network structure dynamics. To address this, leveraged five-year dataset trap-nesting bees wasps their...
Environmental factors can influence ecological networks, but these effects are poorly understood in the realm of phylogeny host-parasitoid interactions. Especially, we lack a comprehensive understanding ways that biotic factors, including plant species richness, overall community phylogenetic and functional composition consumers, abiotic such as microclimate, determine network structure dynamics. To address this, leveraged 5-year dataset trap-nesting bees wasps their parasitoids collected...
Abstract Pollinator declines pose a threat to ecosystems and food production. Agriculture contributes to, but also suffers from, the erosion of pollination services. Our study explores potential trees in agricultural landscapes support pollinators by providing floral resources. overarching objective is quantification resources produced wild cherry ( Prunus avium L.) that can be used flower‐visiting pollinating insects such as bees. Using an innovative approach, we combine pollen measurements...
Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) allow plants to engage in mutualisms with ants, preventing herbivory exchange for food. EFNs occur scattered throughout the plant phylogeny and likely evolved independent from herbivore-created wounds subsequently visited by ants collecting leaked sap. Records of wound-feeding are, however, anecdotal. By surveying 38,000 trees 40 species, we conducted first quantitative ecological study this overlooked behavior. Ant-wound interactions were widespread (0.5% tree...
Urbanization is affecting arthropod communities worldwide, for example by changing the availability of food resources. However, strength and direction a community's response species-specific depends on species' trophic level. Here, we investigated interacting species at different levels in nests cavity-nesting bees wasps along two urbanization gradients four German cities using trap nests. We analysed bee wasp diversity their interaction partners metabarcoding DNA pollen preyed arthropods...
Occurrences of introduced and invasive pollinators are increasing worldwide. To predict the potential impacts exotic bees on native ecosystems we need to understand their ecological interactions. Life history traits fundamental for understanding interactions often help explain spread species. We conducted home-and-away comparisons life first bee in Europe, sculptured resin Megachile sculpturalis Smith 1853. compiled information nest architecture, offspring, natural enemies, body size...