Arthropod abundance in a maize monoculture: a comparative study of agroecological and conventional management in Morelos, Mexico
Palabras clave:
Agroecology, arthropod fauna, agricultural managementResumen
Arthropods are key components of agroecosystems due to their contributions to biological control, pollination, and organic matter decomposition. This study compared arthropod abundance in three maize monoculture systems in Morelos, Mexico: conventional (with agrochemical inputs), agroecological, and agronatural (without external inputs). The study was conducted from July to September 2024. A 2,400 m² plot was established in each system, and weekly sampling was carried out using an entomological sweep net at five fixed sampling points, complemented by additional zigzag transects along the field margins. Arthropods were identified to the order level, and their abundance was recorded. Twelve arthropod orders were detected, with Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae being the most abundant. The agronatural system showed the highest abundance (931 individuals), followed by the agroecological (729 individuals), and conventional systems (116 individuals). Significant differences were found among systems (p < 0.05), suggesting that reducing chemical inputs promote greater arthropod abundance and the associated ecosystem services.
Referencias
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Derechos de autor 2026 Agustín Jesús Gonzaga Segura, Humberto Reyes Prado , Tonatiuh Ocampo-Navarro, Juan Manuel Rivas-González
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0.
