Keystone species for ecosystem services feedback in agroecosystems

What we seek …

We will identify common bird species with a keystone role in the provision of feedback ecosystem services (pest control, seed dispersal) in cider apple orchards of Asturias (N Spain).

Specifically, we seek 1) to build the interaction network involving birds, pest insects and hedgerow fleshy-fruited plants; 2) to identify keystone bird species from network topology; 3) to estimate the sensitivity of interaction networks and ecosystem services to bird decline; and 4) to build an outreach forum for promoting function-based bird conservation guidelines in agricultural lands.

What we will do …

We are monitoring birds, hedgerow fleshy-fruited plants and apple pests for one year in apple orchards.

We are identifying bird-pest and bird-plant interactions by applying DNA-metabarcoding techniques to birds’ faecal samples.

Based on centrality and specialization measures we will identify bird keystone species in multi-layer interaction network.

In silico experiments will address the relative relevance of the loss keystone species for the decline of the feedback ecosystem services.

What we expect …

We are expecting to find a complex multilayer network between birds, apple pests, and hedgerow fleshy fruited plants, with modules of mostly insectivores and moslty frugivores birds but also some common bird species providing both pest control and seed dispersal.

The decline of these central species should impact disproportionately on the feedback between pest control and seed dispersal.

We hope to generate knowledge and models of biodiversity management for apple growers, in order to improving yields while developing environment-friendly agriculture.