Spatial and temporal seed predation data for four temperate alley-cropping agroforestry sites from 2023

This dataset is provided by the SIGNAL subproject “Macrofauna diversity and pest control in temperate agroforestry systems” and contains seed predation data from seed cards of four cropland alley-cropping sites in Northern Germany. Each site comprised of an alley-cropping agroforestry system (AF) and an adjacent open cropland system (OC) serving as a reference land-use system without trees. At each agroforestry system, three subplots were established and arranged along linear transects orthogonal to the orientation of the tree row, spanning from the edge of the tree row to the center of the crop row. Each subplot in the agroforestry systems contained a transect with sampling points at 1, 7, and 24 m (center of the crop row) distance from the tree row edge into the crop row. Open cropland systems had three subplots (sampling point) with a minimum distance of 25 m between each other and at least 30 m to the field margins. At each sampling point two different seed cards were laid out. One card with weed seeds (Avena fatua) and another one with crop seeds (Hordeum vulgare). In total, 12 seed cards (9 agroforestry, 3 open cropland) of each type were set up at each site. Seed cards were manufactured using conventional sand paper (grain-size 400), labeled on the smooth side. The rough side was covered with repositionable spray adhesive (3M spray mount, art. no. 6065) and 10 seeds of the respective species were positioned in the middle of the cards. The glue was left to dry and covered with sand to avoid arthropods getting stuck on remaining glue. Seeds, which were lost before exposure were counted and excluded from evaluation. Seed cards were exposed for 48h in May and five weeks later (35 days) in June. After exposure, seed cards were evaluated on site by counting remaining seeds.

Research domain: Ecology of Agricultural Landscapes

Research question: None