# Effects of Crop Rotation Diversification and Livestock Integration on Above‐Ground Arthropod Dynamics Under Conservation Agriculture

## TL;DR

This study shows that diversifying crops and integrating livestock in conservation agriculture increases arthropod diversity, with effects varying by arthropod type and sampling method.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates how crop rotation diversification affects different arthropod groups in conservation agriculture systems.

## Key findings

- Crop rotation diversification positively influenced arthropod diversity, with effects varying by arthropod group and sampling position.
- Plant-dwelling arthropods showed more crop-specific variations compared to ground-dwelling arthropods.
- Multiple arthropod groups should be examined to fully understand the impacts of diversification in conservation agriculture.

## Abstract

Diversification through integrating diverse crop species and livestock is key to enhancing above‐ground arthropod diversity and promoting the sustainability of cropping systems within conservation agriculture (CA) in South Africa. This study compared two crop rotation treatments, A (Wheat‐Wheat‐Wheat‐Wheat) and G (Canola‐Medics‐Wheat‐Medics), as part of a long‐term CA trial conducted in a wheat‐producing region of South Africa. For crop rotation system G, each phase of the rotation sequence was represented in separate plots annually. Surface‐dwelling arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps, while plant‐dwelling arthropods were captured through sweep‐net sampling. These methods comprehensively assessed above‐ground arthropod diversity 90 days after crop emergence. The results showed that crop rotation diversification positively influenced arthropod diversity, though the effects varied depending on the arthropod group and sampling position. Ground‐dwelling arthropods exhibited less pronounced differences between crop rotation systems, whereas plant‐dwelling arthropods displayed more crop‐specific variations. Analysis of individual arthropod orders revealed that the effects of crop rotation diversification varied across different arthropod groups. Our findings emphasize the importance of examining multiple arthropod groups to understand diversification's impacts fully within CA farming systems.

Diverse crops in conservation agriculture systems can support a variety of arthropods, while sampling methods affected arthropod diversity outcomes. Canola‐Medics‐Wheat‐Medics rotation had a varied effect on arthropod diversity. We suggest that multiple taxa are necessary to compare diversification practices.