Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science

First Advisor

Arvid Boe

Abstract

The modern agricultural system is based upon the Green Revolutions principle of creating more food. However, this came at a cost of invertebrate declines through habitat loss, pollution, and the introduction of agrochemicals. Here I address knowledge gaps in biological inventory of invertebrates across north, northwestern, and central North America. These invertebrates were identified and given a size scale and a dietary guild. We also examined how regenerative and conventional agricultural practices can affect invertebrate populations within the same crop. We also examined whether regenerative management wheat fields fostered great invertebrate communities while limited pest presence. Invertebrate populations were negatively affected by conventional agricultural practices to varying degrees. With the use of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers} having the greatest negative effects on invertebrates in both foliar and soil communities. While the implementation of regenerative practices such as biological amendments and cover cropping had a positive effect of foliar and soil communities. Fields were classified as regenerative or conventional based on the number of regenerative practices employed during the year. The more regenerative practice implemented had a significant increase on foliar and soil invertebrates' abundance. The number of pest invertebrates, however, did not significantly change with the more regenerative practices. Showing the benefits of regenerative agriculture towards invertebrate communities.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright