LANDSCAPE HETEROGENEITY OF AGROECOSYSTEMS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE DYNAMICS OF PREDATORY INSECTS

• Grant number: 25/02129-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Tamíris Alves de Araújo
• Grantee: Gabrielle Brandão Barbosa Iacovino
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências da Natureza (CCN). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Lagoa do Sino. Buri , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/12033-2 - Nature-based solutions for multifunctional landscapes management, AP.BTA.R

Abstract

The heterogeneity of landscapes in agroecosystems influences not only the composition of agricultural areas, particularly soybean fields, but also the structure of fragments of native forests, especially in relation to the dynamics of predatory insects. Environmental degradation caused by intensive agricultural practices poses a threat to biodiversity and essential ecosystem services. Therefore, it is crucial to integrate empirical and scientific knowledge with the involvement of rural producers in the conservation of the Atlantic Forest to mitigate the ongoing degradation this biome is experiencing, primarily due to the expansion of agricultural frontiers. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether landscapes that combine soybean cultivation with fragments of native forest promote biological pest control by predatory insects and to assess the quality of ecosystem services provided by these insects. To achieve this, data collection will take place in the Bacia do Alto do Paranapanema using sampling techniques designed to identify biological diversity and species interactions, focusing on predatory and herbivorous insects that impact crops. The scientific and technological challenges include the need for effective methods for data collection and analysis, as well as the implementation of conservation practices that can be adopted by farmers. This project aims not only to contribute to the restoration and protection of biodiversity but also to develop sustainable agricultural management practices that benefit both production and ecosystem conservation.