Ecosystems: Concepts, analyses, and practical implications in IPM

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Abstract

Introduction A major principle of integrated pest management (IPM) is that strategies and tactics be consistent with ecological processes. IPM advanced traditional pest control by recognizing economic thresholds (below which population size does not warrant suppression), and addressing aspects of herbivore–plant and predator–prey interactions amenable to manipulation for pest control purposes. However, the premise that herbivorous insects and pathogens in general are detrimental to plant growth and reproduction has persisted. In recent years, our perspective of insect herbivores has begun to change from this traditional view to a view that recognizes the role of native insect herbivores in maintaining plant productivity, vegetative diversity, and other ecosystem properties at ecosystem carrying capacity. Recent advances in studies of integrated ecosystems has led to an emerging view of herbivores as a negative feedback (regulatory) mechanism, triggered by environmental changes, that may stabilize ecosystem structure and function in natural ecosystems. Commodity systems are maintained intentionally in an artificial condition to maximize commodity production, generally on an annual basis. This triggers herbivore responses to resource quality or abundance that may be undesirable for some management goals. Nevertheless, understanding the factors that trigger herbivore outbreaks and their consequences for ecosystems conditions can lead to improved management decisions, particularly strategies for preventing outbreaks and methods for evaluating the need for pest suppression, consistent with the objective that IPM supports ecological principles. IPM tactics will still be necessary, especially in the artificial environment of crop systems, or for managing exotic pests.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Perspectives in Ecological Theory and Integrated Pest Management

First Page

411

Last Page

430

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