The role of ecological infrastructure in biological control of agricultural pests

Za razliku od prirodnog ekosustava kojeg karakterizira bogatstvo različitih biljnih i životinjskih vrsta, agroekosustav je uglavnom siromašan vrstama pa mu je time narušena stabilnost. Naime, stabilnost određenog ekosustava najčešće definira njegova bioraznolikost. Poljoprivredna proizvodnja, a posebno proizvodnja u monokulturi i uzgoj višegodišnjih nasada (voćnjaci i vinogradi), rezultira razvojem visokih populacija određenih vrsta štetnika. Da bismo kontrolirali populaciju istih, a time i potencijalne štete, nužno je u proces proizvodnje uvesti prirodne neprijatelje poljoprivrednih nametnika, kao što su predatori i parazitoidi. Ključni je element u podizanju stabilnosti agroekosustava razvoj i njega ekološke infrastrukture koja korisnim organizmima osigurava sklonište, prostor za razmnožavanje, prezimljavanje, ali i osnovni ili dopunski izvor hrane. Ovaj rad prikazuje osnovne elemente ekološke infrastrukture, njezine prednosti i nedostatke te ulogu iste u biološkom suzbijanju štetnih organizama u poljoprivredi.Unlike the natural ecosystem which is characterized by the richness of different plant and animal species, agroecosystem is usually poor and it has thus undermined stability. Namely, the stability of a particular ecosystem usually defines its biodiversity. Agricultural production, especially production in monoculture and cultivation of perennial crops (orchards and vineyards) results in the development of high populations of certain species of pests. In order to control its population, and therefore the potential damage, it’s essential to introduce the natural enemies of agricultural pests such as predators and parasitoids in the production process. The key element in increasing the stability of the agroecosystem is the development of its ecological infrastructure, which provides useful organisms with a shelter, space for reproduction, overwintering and primary or supplemental source of food. This paper presents the basic elements of environmental infrastructure, its advantages and disadvantages and its role in the biological control of harmful organisms in agriculture