Integrated pest and pollinator management – expanding the concept

Abstract

The objective of integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM) is to co-manage for pest control and pollination goals. Departing from the well-established concept of integrated pest management, we include pollinator management in a hierarchical decision support system of management actions. We depict this support system as an IPPM pyramid. Priority is given to proactive measures at the base of the pyramid, which are undertaken through landscape and crop field management of mobile organisms, primarily arthropods. Farther up the pyramid, practices in the form of reactive use of biotic and abiotic inputs should align with basal actions. The goal of IPPM is to minimize trade-offs, and to maximize co-benefits and synergies between pest and pollinator management. We contend that IPPM has the potential to contribute to sustainable pest control and crop pollination, as well as provide broader environmental benefits.