• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.463-477
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• 2019

This study was conducted to compare the community structure and biodiversity of epigeic spiders between pear fields cultivated by integrated pest management (IPM) and organic methods. This is the first study of this kind to be conducted in Korea. Eighty-four spider species from 22 families were identified among the collected 2,489 arthropods, with 754 individuals being sampled from IPM fields and 1,735 individuals from organic fields. Generally, Theridiidae, Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Agelenidae, Gnaphosidae, and Salticidae were the dominant spider families in the pear orchard regardless of the farming methods, and species richness and abundance were higher in organic fields than in IPM fields. The dominant species were the wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and stone spiders (Gnaphosidae), and their cumulative abundance was 70.7% in IPM fields and 72.7% in organic fields. The community structure between organic and IPM fields was heterogeneous, with a 45% similarity level. Biodiversity, species richness, abundance, and species diversity index were higher in organic fields than in IPM fields, and significantly different between the farming methods. Seasonal fluctuations in biodiversity were similar in both IPM and organic fields. The species richness and species diversity index increased and the abundance decreased in the second half of the cultivation period. This study on the community structure and biodiversity of epigeic spiders, which form one of the most important predator groups, will provide principal ecological and faunistic information required to maintain the biodiversity of useful arthropods in agricultural ecosystems and help implement sustainable agriculture based on the active use of natural enemies.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.594-602
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• 2020

This study investigated the effect of geography and altitude on epigeic spider communities in rice field levees in Jeollabuk-do. Spider communities in the mountainous and plain areas were compared to determine the effect of geography on the cultivation periods. The effect of altitude was compared between the Jeongeup and Jangsu areas during non-cultivation periods. Analysis using nMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling), MRPP (multiple response permutation procedure), and ANOSIM (analysis of similarity) revealed differences in spider community structures between the two types of study areas. Lycosidae predominated at the family level, and its abundance was greater in the mountainous area than in the plains area. The total abundance did not differ between the two areas with different altitudes, but the abundance of three Pardosa species was greater at lower altitudes than at higher altitudes. Geography and altitude had a minimal effect on species richness and diversity indices at the community level. However, several Lycosidae species showed species-specific responses to both geography and altitude in the rice fields.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Epigeic arthropods participate in ecological functions as predators, decomposers and herbivores. The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of some dominant arthropods in rice fields to different forms of agricultural land management. METHODS AND RESULTS: The abundance of microarthropods was compared between rice fields and uplands in the non-growing season. Collembola, Oribatida and Mesostigmata were more abundant in the upland fields than in the paddy fields. The community composition and diversity of epigeic arthropods were compared between fallow and rice fields. The total abundance and species richness of spiders and ground beetles were not significantly different in the two types of agricultural fields. The abundance of Arctosa kwangreungensis was greater in fallow fields than in cultivated fields. The community structure of arthropods was compared between paddy fields with and without barley. The cropping system altered the community composition of spiders but not their biodiversity. Barley cultivation increased the abundance of ground beetles but decreased that of spiders. We suggest that this contrast was partly due to the availability of plants that provided shelter and food for ground beetles. CONCLUSION: These results show that soil use intensity and cropping system alter the community composition of epigeic spiders and ground beetles. This could result in ecosystem-level alterations with respect to the control of pests and weeds. Our results also suggest that biodiversity of ground-dwelling arthropods may not increase during short fallow periods.