The aim of this project is to examine the impact of sublethal doses of neonicotinoids on non-target arthropods living in BPA, according to concentrations found in soil and plants samples from these BPA in a monitoring scheme.
The specific aims are:
(a) What are the concentrations of neonicotinoids in soil and plants of extensive meadows, field margins, herbaceous strips along hedges, and in hedges on the Swiss Plateau?
(b) Is there a relationship between diversity and abundance of arthropods and the concentration of neonicotinoids in soil and/or plants of extensive meadows (taking into account the floristic characteristics of the meadow)?
(c) Do the concentrations of neonicotinoids found in BPA of the Swiss Plateau decrease the diversity and abundance of arthropods (field experiment)?
d) What are the sublethal effects of the concentrations of neonicotinoids found in BPA on selected insects (e.g. herbivore, predator, pollinator) (field and/or greenhouse experiment).