Carabids can be a useful tool to monitor the effects of different management systems in long-term trials

The indices of specific identity according to Jaccard were also calculated, expressing the concordance of the species composition of the zoocenoses compared to each other. Within the evaluation of individual years, types of management systems and crops, in 2018 the value was 75.00%, in 2019 their value represented 44.00% and in 2020 it was 50.00%. The total value with the comparison of both types of management for the observed period reached the value of 60.00%. Calculated values of dominance identity according to Renkonen, when comparing ecological vs integrated management for 2018 were 87.53%, in 2019 they were 92.55% and in 2020 they were 83.96%. The average comparison summary of the identity of dominance for the observed period of ecological vs integrated management represents 90.39%. No significant differences were observed when comparing values of diversity index according to Shannon-Weaver. The value for the ecological type was 0.9957 and for the integrated 1.0184, which is realistic when comparing farming in both types of agrocenoses. In terms of the ecological demands of individual species, the communities consisted mainly of species typical to lowland farmland ecosystems, where these species occur mainly in close coexistence of their reproductive cycle, nft hydroponic the presence of the relevant crop and management.

Subsequently, their occurrence is also influenced by local soil and moisture conditions, but it can be stated that the presence of the monitored Carabidae family is a reflection of relatively complex relationships taking place in agroecosystems. It is typical for species of the Carabidae family that they either have fully developed wings, resp. wings are completely or partially reduced. This is associated with restriction or complete loss of movement, which plays an important role in the migration of individuals to the environment. 85% of macropterous and only 15% of brachypteran species were present in the monitored group, which is evidence of a relatively large migration of individuals. When evaluating ecological valence and their association with the environment, 19 species can be classified as eurytopic, 4 for xerophilic, 3 for hygrophilic and 1 species acts as a halobiont. Based on a graphical comparison of ecological vs integrated farming system, using the f-test shows that the ecological type of farming recorded a higher number of Carabidae individuals on the monitored crops, with the exception of Harpalus rufipes on Medica sativa. It can be stated that on the basis of the f-test, which shows zero hypothesis results, the ecological impact of farming within the monitored crops was significant. Based on the analysis of variance , which expresses a graphical comparison of both types of farming, the results were in favor of the ecological type, which represents a higher abundance in all crops.Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that loss of biodiversity has now become a global problem. Much of the biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems is ‘‘hidden” in the soil.

Using an experimental system to change soil levels of biodiversity and community composition has shown that declining numbers of soil organisms cause a reduction in multiple ecosystem functions, including biodiversity, suggesting that biodiversity is a key resource for ecosystem functioning . Carabids are efficient bio-indicators in terrestrial ecosystems because of their adaptability and ability to colonize almost all terrestrial habitats and geographical locations, their quick response to environmental changes, the ease in collecting them, and their relatively stable taxonomy. They are also useful organisms in agroecosystems due to their role as predators of crop insect pests and slugs, thus reducing their populations . Preserving high biodiversity in agroecosystems makes agricultural production more sustainable and economically viable. Which is also confirmed by the results we found, when during the monitored period 7 801 adult carabides belonging to 26 species were recorded. Intensified production, increased use of pesticides and fertilizers are under constant criticism. Agriculture is looking for other biological and agrotechnical methods to meet the requirements of global food production . Agricultural ecosystems are exposed to heavy burden during the year, however the composition of epigeic groups shows significant stability and homogeneity. The species richness of agroecosystems almost always exceeds the species richness of natural, resp. semi-natural landscape . Carabidae, with their abundance and functionality, represent a dominant group involved in reducing the number of pests in agroecosystems .

Carabidae are a taxonomically stable and well studied family, because of their specific life strategies and ecological preferences in terms of humidity, temperature, shading, soil and vegetation . They are efficient bio-indicators in terrestrial ecosystems because of their adaptability and ability to colonize almost all terrestrial habitats and geographical locations, their quick response to environmental changes, the ease of collecting them, and their relatively stable taxonomy . The total number of Carabidae in both types of farming is also 7 801 individuals, of which 4 784 were in organic and 3 017 in integrated farming.The Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Coccinelidae families are natural enemies of aphids and play an important role in agroecosystems. Predatory beetles play their role primarily in ecologically grown crops . By their presence, Carabidae species reflect the current topical, environmental and trophic conditions of agroecosystems, at the same time they act as part of the transport mechanisms of substances and energy and react sensitively to changes in agroecosystems and are a proven model group. Thanks to their biodiversity, they are suitable for detecting the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances . There are seventy-nine species of ground beetles recorded at the study sites of Slovakia according to authors . Ecological management systems are characterized by a larger floristic area and consequently faunistic biodiversity, compared to integrated systems, which provide suitable conditions especially for shade-loving species. However, it can not be excluded that if integrated systems are managed properly, they can increase biodiversity . The level of biodiversity of agroecosystems depends on vegetation cover, sowing process, management intensity, and also on factors that contributed to the influence of biodiversity within the monitored types of management, which is confirmed by our findings . Most Carabidae species belong to the group of predatory generalists or polyphagous, but are also narrow within this family specialists who prefer specific prey or plant food .

The distribution of present species is applied by the temperature, soil type, humidity, trophic relationships, sufficient food, mutual competition and all of it varies depending on the nature of the biotope. In addition to natural factors, an anthropogenic factor is also applied in agroecosystems, e.g. in the form of tillage, crop structure, cultivated crop, and applied inputs . It is necessary to highlight the rich network of their trophic relationships and ties, which is the main mechanism that ensures the balance of monitored agroecosystems. In terms of the ecological demands of individual species, their communities consisted mainly of species typical of lowland field ecosystems, where these species occur mainly in close coincidence of their reproductive cycle, the presence of the relevant crops and management. Subsequently, their presence is also influenced by local soil and moisture conditions, but it can be stated that the presence of the monitored Carabidae family is a reflection of relatively complex ongoing relationships in agroecosystems. It can be stated that Carabidae species are effective bioindicators within agroecosystems, they are adaptable, able to colonize all terrestrial habitats and at the same time they are useful organisms in agroecosystems, also due to their role as predators of cultivated plant pests, thus reducing their populations. An important role also belongs to the other granivorous, consuming weed seeds. They perform ecosystem services in the form of pest control and weed seed destruction . Harpalus rufipes was the eudominant species in all variants. It can migrate both by ground and by air, enabling large aggregations to form in areas with optimal hydrothermal regime and high aggregations of food . Harpalus rufipes is a trans-palearctic, polyzonal, habitat generalist, and is usually the most numerous ground beetle species in agricultural ecosystems and forest plantations . Due to the complex of adaptations and migratory abilities, it achieves the mentioned high values of abundance. It can be found in an extremely wide range of terrestrial ecosystems, with a particularly high population inhabiting an anthropogenically transformed environment. It is distinctive by the consumption of a wide range of foods, it is distributed in Central and Eastern Europe and was introduced to North America. Under the influence of various factors, this species of ground beetles can form aggregations up to tens and hundreds of individuals per square meter.Theabundance of carabids was not significantly different under the two management systems.

Harpalus rufipes and Poecilus cupreus were the most captured species. These results coincide with the data collected across Europe by other authors . Despite the disruptions of agricultural operations, the populations of carabids in arable crops have been found to be relatively constant. Pitfall trapping conducted from 1973 to 1981 in an arable field showed that the peak capture of H. rufipes, H. aeneus, P. madidus, P. melanarius and N. brevicollis remained relatively constant . The majority of species inhabiting agricultural fields have greater dispersal ability, often by flight, nft system are generally eurytopic, and are thus better adapted to living in unstable or temporary habitats. Species typical to arable fields are included in this group . Agricultural practices such as the application of insecticides that remove prey, or habitat destruction, may have a suffificient impact to create unfavourable conditions for Carabidae, but these impacts may not be long lasting, due to reinvasion or relatively quick dispersal distribution. In recent years the declining value of arable crops, combined with pressure from environmental organisations and consumer groups, has driven farmers to look more closely at integrated crop management and integrated farming techniques. Lower insecticide usage and choice of selective insecticides, non-inversion tillage and augmenting non-crop habitat are likely to have the greatest impact on Carabidae . Carabids have frequently been used to compare biodiversity in ecological and integrated management systems. Much evidence shows how agroecological practices can mean that ecological systems have less of an impact on carabid habitats than integrated ones. Some soil management practices such as reduced tillage or cover cropping can considerably influence the effects of organic management on carabid biodiversity . The Shannon-Weaver index, which we consider sufficient, was used to evaluate species diversity. However, species diversity can also be assessed using the Hill index . The susceptibility of some carabid species to insecticides, herbicide use through modification of plant cover and microclimate, and soil cultivation, has ensured that they are also frequently monitored in farming system studies. Studies have frequently found that differences between farming systems are relatively small compared to results between multiple years, fields and farms systems. This is because carabids exhibit considerable natural temporal and spatial variation . Some soil management practices such as reduced tillage or cover cropping can considerably influence the effects of organic management on carabid biodiversity. Normally, low-input practices make organic systems overall more eco-friendly and sustainable than conventional ones, although sustainability is important, not only from a short-term perspective, but also taking into account a long timeline.Ground beetles living in anthropogenic environments have a wider environmental tolerance than species in natural habitats. They achieve high local density due to anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, urbanization or forestry .