The impact of the chemical removal of the hedge-base flora on the community structure of carabid beetles (Col Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae) of the field and hedge bottom

In commercial farming practice herbicides may be used to eradicate or manipulate the flora in the base of hedgerows. The effect of this on the carabid and spider communities was assessed. The carabid and spider communities of a hawthorn hedge alongside a semipermanent sward and of the adjacent part of the field were sampled using pitfall traps. The hedge was divided into three replicates of two herbicide treatments ('Broadshot' and 'Roundup') and a control. The carabid data were ordinated (DECORANA) and showed that both herbicide treatments affected the communities; the spider data showed similar but less marked responses. Both herbicides had important effects on the carabid communities, but, the spider communities were most affected when only the broadleaved forbs were removed.