Relative importance of vertebrates and invertebrates in epigeaic weed seed predation in organic cereal fields

摘要

Exclosure trials were conducted in four organic cereal fields in The Netherlands in 1999 and 2000 to determine the relative importance of vertebrates and invertebrates in weed seed predation. The trials showed that seed predation by vertebrates was rather consistent and predictable, occurring on all fields and both years, being low early in the season, increasing towards mid-June and decreasing thereafter. The occurrence and level of seed predation by invertebrates were unreliable and unpredictable over time. Predation by both vertebrates and invertebrates showed no apparent pattern related to field margin.