Landscape complexity shapes plant–arthropod interactions in agricultural systems: Insights from an eDNA approach

Identifying landscapes that are suitable for both biodiversity conservation and agricultural production is a major challenge, particularly in regions undergoing rapid agricultural intensification. The simplification of agricultural landscapes through monoculture expansion and habitat removal is a key driver of biodiversity loss, yet its contribution to pest outbreaks and the degradation of ecosystem services remains insufficiently understood. Among perennial cropping systems, viticulture has expanded globally and continues to promote landscape homogenization. Here, we investigate how hedgerow loss influences plant–arthropod interactions in vineyard systems using plant surface eDNA. We analysed DNA traces on plants by a field investigation, selecting vineyards characterized by different level of landscape simplification. We find that both hedge coverage and composition affect arthropod composition in vineyards, excluding a significant influence of spatial distance across the landscape. The structural heterogeneity and diverse microhabitats created by the layering of hedgerows supports more diverse spider communities. Conversely, the lack of hedgerows is directly linked to the surge of harmful pests in vineyards and a decline in pollinator richness. By applying plant surface eDNA analysis, we demonstrate the potential of this approach for investigating plant–arthropod interactions and highlight the importance of preserving diverse and structurally complex habitats to sustain ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, including pest regulation and pollinator support.