System-level effects on arthropod communities in conventional and organic crop fields

Arthropods provide invaluable ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, pollination, and in some cases, natural pest control. Agricultural practices including tillage and application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, among others, may disturb arthropod communities, thereby interfering with ecosystem service provisioning. Southeastern production systems, whether organic or conventional, employ a variety of management practices such as crop rotation, pest and weed management, fertilization regimes, and tillage. The effects of these practices on arthropod communities have been previously explored, but often in the context of single factor impacts; ignoring potential production system-level effects.  Therefore, this project aims to evaluate the effects of conventional and organic management practices on soil and above-ground arthropod communities among five corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) production systems in North Carolina.