Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth: implications for pest management

A. M. Augusto; S. Pereira; S. Rodrigues; F. Marques; O. Aizpurua; A. Alberdi; G. Jones; O. Razgour; T. A. Marques; D. Russo; H. Rebelo

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123803

Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth: implications for pest management

A. M. Augusto^*, S. Pereira, S. Rodrigues, F. Marques, O. Aizpurua, A. Alberdi, G. Jones, O. Razgour, T. A. Marques, D. Russo, H. Rebelo

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Bats provide important ecosystem services, particularly in agriculture, yet integrating bat management into conservation plans remains challenging. Some landscape features considerably influence bat presence, diversity, and ecosystem service provision. Understanding the relationship between landscape structure, composition, pest suppression, and ecosystem services is crucial. We modelled areas where bats most effectively suppress pine processionary moths (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), considering landscape characteristics to predict ecosystem services and optimise pest suppression in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Faecal samples collected during fieldwork were analysed for pine processionary moth presence in bat diets. Lasso regression assessed spatial landscape variables to create an “optimal landscape” for predation. Landscape structure and composition influenced pest suppression differently, with the greatest impact within a 5000-m buffer. “Riparian edge” and “tree cover density” were key habitat structure variables supporting bat navigation and access to hunting areas, while “other forest” and “vineyard/orchard” areas were important composition variables. Optimising landscape composition involves incorporating diverse forest within agroforestry systems to enhance pest suppression by creating habitats reflecting bats' foraging preferences. We recommend strategies focusing on riparian edge conservation, selective canopy reduction, and promoting diverse forest compositions. These strategies aim to create mosaic landscapes balancing land uses, fostering optimal conditions for bat foraging. Our study shows edges provide the highest rates of bats-pine processionary moth interactions. However, caution is needed to avoid excessive fragmentation, which may reduce habitat suitability and increase pest presence before effective bat predation. A balanced approach, focusing on edge creation without over-fragmenting the landscape, is key to promoting sustainable pest management.

Original language	English
Article number	123803
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Environmental Management
Volume	373
Early online date	21 Dec 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123803
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2025

Keywords

Agroforestry systems
Bats ecosystem services
Habitat composition
Habitat structure
Landscape management
Pest suppression

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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title = "Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth: implications for pest management",

abstract = "Bats provide important ecosystem services, particularly in agriculture, yet integrating bat management into conservation plans remains challenging. Some landscape features considerably influence bat presence, diversity, and ecosystem service provision. Understanding the relationship between landscape structure, composition, pest suppression, and ecosystem services is crucial. We modelled areas where bats most effectively suppress pine processionary moths (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), considering landscape characteristics to predict ecosystem services and optimise pest suppression in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Faecal samples collected during fieldwork were analysed for pine processionary moth presence in bat diets. Lasso regression assessed spatial landscape variables to create an “optimal landscape” for predation. Landscape structure and composition influenced pest suppression differently, with the greatest impact within a 5000-m buffer. “Riparian edge” and “tree cover density” were key habitat structure variables supporting bat navigation and access to hunting areas, while “other forest” and “vineyard/orchard” areas were important composition variables. Optimising landscape composition involves incorporating diverse forest within agroforestry systems to enhance pest suppression by creating habitats reflecting bats' foraging preferences. We recommend strategies focusing on riparian edge conservation, selective canopy reduction, and promoting diverse forest compositions. These strategies aim to create mosaic landscapes balancing land uses, fostering optimal conditions for bat foraging. Our study shows edges provide the highest rates of bats-pine processionary moth interactions. However, caution is needed to avoid excessive fragmentation, which may reduce habitat suitability and increase pest presence before effective bat predation. A balanced approach, focusing on edge creation without over-fragmenting the landscape, is key to promoting sustainable pest management.",

keywords = "Agroforestry systems, Bats ecosystem services, Habitat composition, Habitat structure, Landscape management, Pest suppression",

author = "Augusto, {A. M.} and S. Pereira and S. Rodrigues and F. Marques and O. Aizpurua and A. Alberdi and G. Jones and O. Razgour and Marques, {T. A.} and D. Russo and H. Rebelo",

note = "Funding: This work was funded by FCT – Funda{\c c}{\~a}o para a Ci{\^e}ncia e a Tecnologia, Portugal, under the Project BatPine AAC/02/SAICT/2017/31731 and CE3C (UIDB/00329/2020) – DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020. FCT also funded Ana Margarida Augusto (PD/BD/150555/2019). Tiago Marques and Soraia Pereira acknowledge partial support from CEAUL (funded by FCT – DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00006/2020).",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123803",

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T1 - Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth

T2 - implications for pest management

AU - Augusto, A. M.

AU - Pereira, S.

AU - Rodrigues, S.

AU - Marques, F.

AU - Aizpurua, O.

AU - Alberdi, A.

AU - Jones, G.

AU - Razgour, O.

AU - Marques, T. A.

AU - Russo, D.

AU - Rebelo, H.

N1 - Funding: This work was funded by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal, under the Project BatPine AAC/02/SAICT/2017/31731 and CE3C (UIDB/00329/2020) – DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020. FCT also funded Ana Margarida Augusto (PD/BD/150555/2019). Tiago Marques and Soraia Pereira acknowledge partial support from CEAUL (funded by FCT – DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00006/2020).

PY - 2025/1/1

Y1 - 2025/1/1

N2 - Bats provide important ecosystem services, particularly in agriculture, yet integrating bat management into conservation plans remains challenging. Some landscape features considerably influence bat presence, diversity, and ecosystem service provision. Understanding the relationship between landscape structure, composition, pest suppression, and ecosystem services is crucial. We modelled areas where bats most effectively suppress pine processionary moths (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), considering landscape characteristics to predict ecosystem services and optimise pest suppression in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Faecal samples collected during fieldwork were analysed for pine processionary moth presence in bat diets. Lasso regression assessed spatial landscape variables to create an “optimal landscape” for predation. Landscape structure and composition influenced pest suppression differently, with the greatest impact within a 5000-m buffer. “Riparian edge” and “tree cover density” were key habitat structure variables supporting bat navigation and access to hunting areas, while “other forest” and “vineyard/orchard” areas were important composition variables. Optimising landscape composition involves incorporating diverse forest within agroforestry systems to enhance pest suppression by creating habitats reflecting bats' foraging preferences. We recommend strategies focusing on riparian edge conservation, selective canopy reduction, and promoting diverse forest compositions. These strategies aim to create mosaic landscapes balancing land uses, fostering optimal conditions for bat foraging. Our study shows edges provide the highest rates of bats-pine processionary moth interactions. However, caution is needed to avoid excessive fragmentation, which may reduce habitat suitability and increase pest presence before effective bat predation. A balanced approach, focusing on edge creation without over-fragmenting the landscape, is key to promoting sustainable pest management.

AB - Bats provide important ecosystem services, particularly in agriculture, yet integrating bat management into conservation plans remains challenging. Some landscape features considerably influence bat presence, diversity, and ecosystem service provision. Understanding the relationship between landscape structure, composition, pest suppression, and ecosystem services is crucial. We modelled areas where bats most effectively suppress pine processionary moths (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), considering landscape characteristics to predict ecosystem services and optimise pest suppression in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Faecal samples collected during fieldwork were analysed for pine processionary moth presence in bat diets. Lasso regression assessed spatial landscape variables to create an “optimal landscape” for predation. Landscape structure and composition influenced pest suppression differently, with the greatest impact within a 5000-m buffer. “Riparian edge” and “tree cover density” were key habitat structure variables supporting bat navigation and access to hunting areas, while “other forest” and “vineyard/orchard” areas were important composition variables. Optimising landscape composition involves incorporating diverse forest within agroforestry systems to enhance pest suppression by creating habitats reflecting bats' foraging preferences. We recommend strategies focusing on riparian edge conservation, selective canopy reduction, and promoting diverse forest compositions. These strategies aim to create mosaic landscapes balancing land uses, fostering optimal conditions for bat foraging. Our study shows edges provide the highest rates of bats-pine processionary moth interactions. However, caution is needed to avoid excessive fragmentation, which may reduce habitat suitability and increase pest presence before effective bat predation. A balanced approach, focusing on edge creation without over-fragmenting the landscape, is key to promoting sustainable pest management.

KW - Agroforestry systems

KW - Bats ecosystem services

KW - Habitat composition

KW - Habitat structure

KW - Landscape management

KW - Pest suppression

U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123803

DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123803

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85212579375

SN - 0301-4797

VL - 373

JO - Journal of Environmental Management

JF - Journal of Environmental Management

M1 - 123803

ER -

Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth: implications for pest management

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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