Dissertation Research: Ecological linkages between multiple habitats in an agroecosystem

生态学理论预测，当某一特定地点的捕食者种群得到该地点以外资源的支持（例如，其他猎物物种）时，该地点的捕食行为将比预期的更强。这是因为即使当地资源稀缺，外部资源也可能允许捕食者种群的建立。当移动捕食者经常在不同的栖息地之间移动时，这种情况就会发生。在多个栖息地之间的移动使捕食者能够利用猎物栖息地内外的资源，使它们的种群得以增加（即使当地条件很差），并强烈地压制猎物。尽管具有重要的理论意义，但很少有研究在陆地栖息地调查捕食者运动对局部栖息地斑块捕食强度的影响。这项研究将通过减少和增加捕食者在作物栖息地和原生草原草之间的运动来实验研究这个问题；然后，研究人员将观察结果对作物内部捕食的影响。目的是确定作物以外的自然区域是否提供了资源，以加强对作物栖息地内害虫的捕食。如果是这样的话，在农业景观中恢复自然区域可以减少使用杀虫剂来控制害虫的需要。

Ecological theory predicts that predation in a given location will be stronger than expected when predator populations are supported by resources outside that location (e.g., alternative species of prey). This is because external resources may allow predator populations to build even though local resources are scarce. This situation can occur when mobile predators frequently move between different habitats. Movement between multiple habitats allows predators to use resources both within and outside of a prey's habitat, allowing their populations to build (even if local conditions are bad) and strongly suppress prey.Despite its theoretical importance, there has been little research in terrestrial habitats investigating the influence of predator movement on the intensity of predation in local habitat patches. This research will examine the question experimentally by decreasing and increasing movement of predators between crop habitats and native prairie grass; the investigators will then observe the resulting impact on predation within crops. The goal is to determine if natural areas outside of crops provide resources that enhance predation on insect pests within a crop habitat. If this is the case, restoring natural areas in agricultural landscapes could reduce the need to use insecticides to control pests.