Weather explains the decline and rise of insect biomass over 34 years

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 628(8007), P. 349 - 354

Published: Sept. 27, 2023

Language: Английский

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DNA metabarcoding and morphological identification reveal similar richness, taxonomic composition and body size patterns among flying insect communities

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 449 - 463

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Abstract Tracking insect biodiversity trends and predicting future trajectories is limited by a lack of monitoring data across large spatiotemporal scales. DNA metabarcoding time‐ cost‐efficient method to obtain these data, but has several potential limitations in comparison traditional morphological approaches. For example, may miss low‐abundance or smaller bodied individuals presence/absence information, which bias estimates community composition. However, few comparisons morphology‐based identification have been made using insects, the far most diverse animal taxonomic group. Here, we compared terrestrial communities identified via morphology versus four different habitats three seasons (late spring, mid‐summer early autumn) during 2019. We species richness, composition body size, with focus on key groups bees, true bugs, butterflies hoverflies. 252 total species, 54.8% both methods, whereas 21.4% 19.8% were solely detected morphology, respectively. Overall, size similar between methods. Metabarcoding detection successes declined taxa, particularly hoverflies bugs; however, richness tended be higher identification. Our results show that can provide an accurate overview differences are comparable those determined recommend programmes consider incorporating metabarcoding, although research needed overcome some remaining limitations.

Language: Английский

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Upscaling biodiversity monitoring: Metabarcoding estimates 31,846 insect species from Malaise traps across Germany

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Abstract Mitigating ongoing losses of insects and their key functions (e.g. pollination) requires tracking large‐scale long‐term community changes. However, doing so has been hindered by the high diversity insect species that prohibitively investments time, funding taxonomic expertise when addressed with conventional tools. Here, we show these concerns can be through a comprehensive, scalable cost‐efficient DNA metabarcoding workflow. We use 1815 samples from 75 Malaise traps across Germany 2019 2020 to demonstrate how incorporated into monitoring networks for less than 50 € per sample, including supplies, labour maintenance. validated detected using two publicly available databases (GBOL GBIF) judgement experts. With an average 1.4 M sequence reads sample uncovered 10,803 species, which 83.9% were represented single Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). estimated another 21,043 plausible argue either lack reference barcode or are undescribed. The total 31,846 is similar number known (~35,500). Because capture only subset insects, our approach identified many likely unknown new science. Our reproducible workflow (~80% OTU‐similarity among years) provides blueprint biodiversity other components in near real time.

Language: Английский

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Long‐term drought triggers severe declines in carabid beetles in a temperate forest

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(4)

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Evidence for widespread declines in arthropods is growing and climate change one of the suspected drivers. Recent droughts Europe were unprecedented previous centuries we are only beginning to understand impacts on ecosystems. We analysed a 24‐year dataset carabid beetles from temperate forest area northeast Germany investigated linear non‐linear trends abundance, biomass, diversity species traits. especially interested if how these linked at different temporal scales using standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). found significant abundance biomass with annual rates −3.1% (0.95 CI [−5.3, −1]) –4.9% [−9.4, −1.6]), respectively. Non‐linear closely related SPEI when considering climatic water balance six years showed severe between 2015 2022 (−71% 0.95 [−84, −61] / −89% [−97, −59]). However, there remained background‐decline −2.1% [−5.7, −0.2]) [−6.5, −0.1]), respectively, which occurred independently drought. observed negative metrics shift assemblage that less directly droughts. Declining drought‐sensitive tended be larger predators low dispersal abilities. This study among very first investigate current drought insects central Europe. Our findings add concerning amount evidence while pointing towards weather anomalies as important driver.

Language: Английский

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A comparison of different Malaise trap types

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 666 - 672

Published: Aug. 17, 2022

Abstract Recent reports on insect decline have highlighted the need for long‐term data communities towards identifying their trends and drivers. With launch of many new monitoring schemes to investigate over large spatial temporal scales, Malaise traps become one most important tools due broad spectrum species collected reduced capture bias through passive sampling insects day night. However, can vary in size, shape, colour, it is unknown how these differences affect biomass, richness, composition trap catch, making difficult compare results between studies. We compared five types (three variations Townes two Bartak trap) determine effects biomass richness as identified by metabarcoding. Insect varied 20%–55%, not strictly following size but varying with type. Total was 20%–38% higher three models traps. captured lower highly mobile taxa increased ground‐dwelling taxa. The white roofed a pollinators. find that total group specific are all sensitive Trap type should be carefully considered aligned match research questions. Additionally, our estimates used adjust facilitate comparisons across

Language: Английский

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Temperature and not landscape composition shapes wild bee communities in an urban environment

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 65 - 76

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Abstract More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase. Even if urbanisation widely regarded as major threat global biodiversity, recent research highlighted potential ecological importance cities for pollinators. Key determinants cities' ability sustain pollinators are presence green areas and connectivity between them. However, also temperature be primary pollinator activities. Here, we aimed at disentangling effects temperature, open habitat cover, distance from city centre on wild bee communities Rome (Italy). We selected 36 sites along two statistically independent gradients sampled using pan‐traps 4 months. Then, measured functional traits species, is, body size, social behaviour, nesting strategy, diet breadth. Temperature emerged main driver communities, with richer species individuals warmer temperatures. found little replacement cold warm sites. In addition, increasing temperatures, were dominated by polylectic small‐bodied species. showed highly urbanised environment, shapes irrespective other landscape metrics. warming seemed beneficial abundance richness, it might strongly homogenise selecting those make more easily adaptable.

Language: Английский

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Citizen Science and Monitoring Forest Pests: a Beneficial Alliance?

Current Forestry Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. 15 - 32

Published: Nov. 25, 2022

Abstract Purpose of the Review One major threats to tree health, and hence resilience forests their provision ecosystem services, is new emerging pests. Therefore, forest health monitoring importance detect invasive, native pest outbreaks. This usually done by foresters experts, but can also be complemented citizen scientists. Here, we review use science for detection monitoring, as well hypothesis-driven research evaluation control measures part surveillance research. We then examine its limitations opportunities make recommendations on monitoring. Recent Findings The main scientists are early warning, pests, impact outbreaks scientific Each domain has own limitations, follow, public engagement strategies. development technologies provides many involve in To enhance benefits scientists’ inclusion it important that they involved cocreation activities. Summary Future may benefit from tailor-made projects facilitate successful expand practice countries where sector less developed. In this sense, help understand pests avoid problems future.

Language: Английский

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Tree species matter for forest microclimate regulation during the drought year 2018: disentangling environmental drivers and biotic drivers

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Oct. 20, 2022

Tree canopies are considered to effectively buffer climate extremes and mitigate change effects. Droughts, which predicted become more frequent in the course of change, might alter microclimatic cooling potential trees. However, our understanding how microclimate at tree canopy level is modulated by environmental characteristics their interactions still limited. Here, we investigated temperature regulation for five mature co-occurring species two contrasting hydrological situations during severe drought 2018. Even though observed a significant drought-induced decline cover transpiration across species, found evidence that differences water use strategies trees affected mechanisms differently. Although large share variations was explained direct indirect effects meteorological factors, identified gradual shift importance from latent heat flux components defining magnitude sensible on energy budget as gained severity. The decrease fluxes, approximated sap flow rates, furthermore resulted reduced an equalization temperatures.

Language: Английский

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Drivers of community assembly change during succession in wood‐decomposing beetle communities

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(5), P. 965 - 978

Published: Nov. 15, 2022

Abstract The patterns of successional change decomposer communities is unique in that resource availability predictably decreases as decomposition proceeds. Saproxylic (i.e. deadwood‐dependent) beetles are a highly diverse and functionally important group, their community composition affected by both deadwood characteristics other environmental factors. Understanding how with faunal succession through the process this influences terrestrial carbon dynamics. Here, we evaluate beta‐diversity saproxylic beetle succession, well effects different major drivers beta‐diversity, such tree species, spatial distance between locations, climate forest structure. We studied dissimilarity species logs same year) over 8 years wood decomposition. Our study included 379 experimental comprising 13 30 stands Germany. hypothesized dissimilarity, measured phylogenetic distance, on decrease time, while structure increase. Observed increased whereas standardized sizes (SES; based null models) decreased indicating higher than expected during early years. Beta‐diversity increasing among regions, to lesser extent within regions differences Whereas space, were constant effect decreased. results show strength changes along succession. decay was strongly associated species. Although remained high throughout Possible explanations for pattern include rates fungal or priority communities. suggest diversity can be enhanced promoting forests structures.

Language: Английский

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Temperature, not net primary productivity, drives continental-scale variation in insect flight activity

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

The amount of energy available in a system constrains large-scale patterns abundance. Here, we test the role temperature and net primary productivity as drivers flying insect abundance using novel continental-scale data source: weather surveillance radar. We use United States NEXRAD radar network to generate near-daily dataset flight activity across gradient productivity. Insect was positively correlated with mean annual temperature, explaining 38% variation sites. By contrast, did not explain additional variation. Grassland, forest arid-xeric shrubland biomes differed their activity, greatest subtropical temperate grasslands. relationship between varied biome types. In shrublands temperature-abundance indirectly (through productivity) or directly (in form precipitation) mediated by water availability. These results suggest that constraints on metabolism, development, shape macroecological ectotherm Assessing is particularly important predict community response warming conditions. This article part theme issue 'Towards toolkit for global biodiversity monitoring'.

Language: Английский

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