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Lucatero A, Jha S, Philpott SM. Local Habitat Complexity and Its Effects on Herbivores and Predators in Urban Agroecosystems. INSECTS 2024; 15:41. [PMID: 38249047 PMCID: PMC10816164 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
In urban community gardens, cultivated vegetation provides variable levels of habitat complexity, which can suppress pests by promoting predator diversity and improving pest control. In this study, we examine three components of the structural complexity of garden vegetation (cover, diversity, and connectivity) to investigate whether higher garden vegetation complexity leads to fewer herbivores, more predators, and higher predation. We worked in eight community gardens where we quantified vegetation complexity, sampled the arthropod community, and measured predation on corn earworm eggs. We found that plots with high vegetation cover supported higher species richness and greater abundance of predatory insects. High vegetation cover also supported a greater abundance and species richness of spiders. In contrast, high vegetation diversity was negatively associated with predator abundance. While high predator abundance was positively associated with egg predation, greater predator species richness had a negative impact on egg predation, suggesting that antagonism between predators may limit biological control. Community gardeners may thus manipulate vegetation cover and diversity to promote higher predator abundance and diversity in their plots. However, the species composition of predators and the prevalence of interspecific antagonism may ultimately determine subsequent impacts on biological pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azucena Lucatero
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA;
| | - Shalene Jha
- Integrative Biology Department, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78739, USA
| | - Stacy M. Philpott
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA;
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2
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Yek SH, Sethu Pathy T, Yeo DYC, Gan JYS. The effects of anthropogenic disturbance and seasonality on the ant communities of Lang Tengah Island. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16157. [PMID: 37868047 PMCID: PMC10590099 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbances and seasonal changes significantly impact diversity and community composition of ants, but their effects are often intertwined. We investigated these drivers on Lang Tengah Island, a location with a pronounced monsoon season and three resorts that close during this period. We surveyed four sites, two disturbed and two undisturbed, before and after the monsoon season, using pitfall traps to sample epigaeic ant communities. Undisturbed habitats had higher species diversity, but both habitats (undisturbed and disturbed sites) have a high proportion of ants with characteristics of being encroached by generalist and invasive/tramp ant species. Post-monsoon sampling yielded an increase in species richness and diversity. Seasonal changes, such as monsoonal rains, can temporarily alter ant interactions and resource distribution, potentially maintaining diversity. Future studies should validate these findings for ant communities under similar pressures, using ant composition and functional roles for conservation and management purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Huei Yek
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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3
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Zhang HL, Guo LY, Nizamani MM, Wang HF. Distribution patterns and drivers of urban green space and plant diversity in Haikou, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1202115. [PMID: 37670868 PMCID: PMC10476625 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1202115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Investigating historical and ongoing changes in urban green space (UGS) and urban plant diversity (UPD) provides critical insights into urban ecology and urban planning development. The present study illuminates some of the transformations which can occur in rapidly developing urban landscapes. In this work, we used 30 m resolution images from the Landsat 5 satellite from 2015 to investigate UGS patterns in Haikou City, China. Metrics of UPD were obtained using field surveys, allowing the proportion of UGS and UPD to be determined in each urban functional unit (UFU) of Haikou. The results revealed that leisure and entertainment areas (such as parks) had the highest diversity, whereas roads and transportation hubs had the lowest. More frequent anthropogenic maintenance had a positive effect on the total number of species, including cultivated, tree, and herb species. Similarly, increased watering frequency had a positive impact on the diversity of cultivated and shrub species. By providing demonstrating a crucial link between UGS and UPD, the results provide valuable information for planning sustainable urban development in Haikou City and other tropical regions. They highlight the important role of UGS in maintaining biodiversity and providing a range of ecosystem services. This research will inform policymakers and urban planners about the need to consider UGS and UPD in urban planning and management process, in order to promote sustainability and conservation of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Li Zhang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Nanfan and High-Efficiency Tropical Agriculture, School of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Lin-Yuan Guo
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Nanfan and High-Efficiency Tropical Agriculture, School of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Mir Muhammad Nizamani
- Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hua-Feng Wang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Nanfan and High-Efficiency Tropical Agriculture, School of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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4
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Mendonça-Santos RG, Antoniazzi R, Camarota F, dos Reis YT, Viana-Junior AB. Scattered trees as crucial elements in maintaining urban diversity: A case study with canopy ants in a biodiversity hotspot. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2023.103894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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5
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Dijon L, Dekoninck W, Colinet G, Francis F, Noel G. They live under our streets: ant nests (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in urban pavements. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e102897. [PMID: 38327342 PMCID: PMC10848671 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e102897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of global insect decline, the urbanisation process plays a key role. However, urban pavements, which are considered to be impervious to biodiversity, can harbour ground-nesting insects under certain conditions. Recent observations have revealed the presence of Formicidae nests under urban pavements. The aim of this work is to determine the species richness of Formicidae nesting under urban pavements in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium) and to characterise their nest environment and soil texture. Seven ant species were identified in 120 nesting sites: Lasiusniger, Lasiusbrunneus, Lasiusflavus, Lasiusfuliginosus, Tetramoriumcaespitum, Tetramoriumimpurum and Myrmicarugulosa. Concrete slabs or natural stones with a sandy sub-layer are the main structures in which ants nest. In addition, nests were mainly found under modular pavements with degraded rigid joints. The results of this work highlight the capacity of urban structures to host part of ant biodiversity in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Dijon
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, BelgiumFunctional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRAGemblouxBelgium
| | - Wouter Dekoninck
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Gilles Colinet
- Soil-Water Plant Exchanges, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Gembloux, BelgiumSoil-Water Plant Exchanges, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio TechGemblouxBelgium
| | - Frédéric Francis
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, BelgiumFunctional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRAGemblouxBelgium
| | - Grégoire Noel
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, BelgiumFunctional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, TERRAGemblouxBelgium
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6
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Lynch SC, Savage AM. The changing dynamics of ant-tree cholla mutualisms along a desert urbanization gradient. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280130. [PMID: 37000864 PMCID: PMC10065256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanization, among the most widespread and multifaceted anthropogenic change drivers, exerts strong influences on a diversity of ecological communities worldwide. We have begun to understand how urbanization affects species diversity, yet we still have limited knowledge about the ways that species interactions are altered by urbanization. We have an especially poor understanding of how urbanization influences stress-buffering mutualisms, despite the high levels of multivariate stress that urban organisms must overcome and the importance of these interactions to the fitness of many organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of urbanization on a mutualism between tree cholla cacti (Cylindropuntia imbricata) and visiting ants. We first examined how plant size, ant species composition, and ant activity varied on C. imbricata across an urbanization gradient (urban, suburban, wild) in and around Albuquerque, NM. Ant species composition and activity varied significantly across the urbanization gradient, with ant communities from wildlands having the highest activity and the most dissimilar species composition compared to both suburban and urban sites. In contrast, plant size remained constant regardless of site type. We then experimentally assessed how nectar levels influenced ant aggressive encounters with proxy prey (Drosophila melanogaster larvae) on C. imbricata across urban and wild sites. Ants were more likely to discover, attack, and remove proxy prey in wild sites compared to urban sites; they also performed these behaviors more quickly in wild sites. Nectar supplementation had weaker effects on ant aggression than urbanization, but consistently increased the speed at which aggressive behaviors occurred. Future studies that examine nectar quality and herbivorous arthropod abundance may help explain why this strong difference in ant composition and aggression was not associated with lower plant fitness proxies (i.e. size traits). Nevertheless, this study provides unique insight into the growing body of work demonstrating that mutualisms vary significantly across urbanization gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon C. Lynch
- Rutgers University Camden, Camden, NJ, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amy M. Savage
- Rutgers University Camden, Camden, NJ, United States of America
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7
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Dung beetles prefer used land over natural greenspace in urban landscape. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22179. [PMID: 36564513 PMCID: PMC9789146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26841-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization drives land-use and patterns of biodiversity. Yet, very little is known about how biodiversity of structurally different habitats is responded to urbanization. We surveyed coprophagous dung beetles and their ecological functional groups-tunnellers, dwellers, and rollers-in shaded natural semi-evergreen forests of sacred groves and the neighbouring relatively open home gardens of sites that represent three levels of urbanization to address the following questions: (1) Do sacred groves have higher abundance, richness, and diversity of dung beetles than home gardens? (2) Is urbanization a key driver of dung beetle abundance, richness, diversity, and community? (3) Is dung beetle assemblage of sacred groves immune to urbanization? and (4) Which ecological functional groups of dung beetles are affected by urbanization? We hypothesized that the sacred groves have a distinct community, resulting in higher abundance, richness, and diversity of dung beetles than home gardens, and the dung beetle assemblage of sacred groves may be immune to urbanization. We sampled the beetles during wet and dry periods using cow dung as a bait. Against our predictions, dung beetle abundance, richness, and diversity were higher in used lands than sacred groves, particularly in urban landscapes. The two habitats had distinct compositions of dung beetles. Tunnellers and rollers were affected by urbanization, but not dwellers. Heliophilic and synanthropic species characterized by smaller species dominated overall catches in the used lands of urban areas. Results downplay sacred grove as a potential refuge for dung beetles and suggest that the biodiversity of native forests may be affected more by urbanization than the manipulated anthropogenic habitats.
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8
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Wilson CJ, Frank SD. Scale Insects Support Natural Enemies in Both Landscape Trees and Shrubs Below Them. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:1094-1105. [PMID: 36259264 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Scale insects are frequently abundant on urban trees. Although scales can worsen tree condition, some tree species tolerate moderate scale densities. Scales are prey for many natural enemies. Therefore, scale-infested trees may conserve natural enemies in their canopies and in nearby plants. We examined if scale-infested oaks-Quercus phellos L.-hosted more natural enemies than scale-uninfested oaks-Q. acutissima Carruth. and Q. lyrata Walter in Raleigh, NC. USA. We also tested if natural enemies were more abundant in holly shrubs (Ilex spp.) planted below scale-infested compared to scale-uninfested oaks. We collected natural enemies from the canopies of both tree types and from holly shrubs planted below these trees. To determine if tree type affected the abundance of natural enemies that passively dispersed to shrubs, we created hanging cup traps to collect arthropods as they fell from trees. To determine if natural enemies became more abundant on shrubs below scale-infested compared to scale-uninfested trees over short time scales, we collected natural enemies from holly shrubs below each tree type at three to six-day intervals. Scale-infested trees hosted more natural enemies than scale-uninfested trees and shrubs below scale-infested trees hosted more natural enemies than shrubs under scale-uninfested trees. Natural enemy abundance in hanging cup traps did not differ by tree type; however, shrubs underneath scale-infested trees accumulated more natural enemies than shrubs under scale-uninfested trees in six to nine days. Tolerating moderate pest densities in urban trees may support natural enemy communities, and thus biological control services, in shrubs below them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Wilson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Steven D Frank
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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9
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Boeing J, Cuper K, Menke SB. Ant species richness in the urban mosaic: size is more important than location. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01308-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Vidal A, Iturriaga M, Mancina CA, Cézilly F. Differences in sex ratio, tail autotomy, body size and body condition between suburban and forest populations of the cuban endemic lizard Anolis homolechis. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01259-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Abdel-Dayem MS, Sharaf MR, Majer JD, Al-Sadoon MK, Aldawood AS, Aldhafer HM, Orabi GM. Ant diversity and composition patterns along the urbanization gradients in an arid city. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.2003461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa R. Sharaf
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jonathan D. Majer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Mohammed K. Al-Sadoon
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman S. Aldawood
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hathal M. Aldhafer
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal M. Orabi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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12
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Maher GM, Johnson GA, Burdine JD. Impervious surface and local abiotic conditions influence arthropod communities within urban greenspaces. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12818. [PMID: 35127289 PMCID: PMC8793725 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The abundance of arthropods is declining globally, and human-modification of natural habitat is a primary driver of these declines. Arthropod declines are concerning because arthropods mediate critical ecosystem functions, and sustained declines may lead to cascading trophic effects. There is growing evidence that properly managed urban environments can provide refugium to arthropods, but few cities have examined arthropods within urban greenspaces to evaluate their management efforts. In this study, we surveyed arthropod communities within a medium-sized, growing city. We investigated arthropod communities (abundance, richness, diversity, community composition) within 16 urban greenspaces across metropolitan Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA). We focused our efforts on urban gardens and pocket prairies, and measured environmental variables at each site. We collected 5,468 individual arthropods that spanned 14 taxonomic orders and 66 morphospecies. The results showed that community composition was influenced by impervious surface, white flower abundance, and humidity. Total arthropod abundance and diversity were positively associated with humidity. For specific orders, Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps) abundance was negatively associated with temperature, and positively associated with site perimeter-area ratio. Hemiptera (true bugs) were negatively associated with impervious surface and positively associated with humidity. These findings show that impervious surfaces impact arthropod communities, but many of the observed changes were driven by local abiotic conditions like temperature and humidity. This suggests that management decisions within urban greenspaces are important in determining the structure of arthropod communities. Future studies on arthropods in cities should determine whether manipulating the abiotic conditions of urban greenspaces influences the composition of arthropod communities. These results should inform city planners and homeowners of the need to properly manage urban greenspaces in cities to maintain diverse arthropod assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M. Maher
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
| | - Graham A. Johnson
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Burdine
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
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Water-seeking behavior among terrestrial arthropods and mollusks in a cool mesic region: Spatial and temporal patterns. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260070. [PMID: 34807930 PMCID: PMC8608307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydration can have negative effects on animal physiological performance, growth, reproduction, and survival, and most animals seek to minimize these effects by reducing water losses or seeking water sources. Much-but not all-of the research on animal water balance comes from dryland ecosystems. However, animals inhabiting mesic regions may also experience desiccating conditions, for example within urban heat islands or during heatwaves and droughts. Here we examined how spatial variation in impervious surface and spatial and temporal variation in microclimate impact water demand behavior of terrestrial arthropods and mollusks in three areas of mesic Northwest Ohio, with analysis of taxa that exhibited the greatest water demand behavior. Water demand behavior was measured as the frequency that individuals were observed at an artificial water source (a moistened pouch), relative to the frequency at a control (a dry pouch). Overall, terrestrial arthropods and mollusks were found about twice as often at the water source than at the control (equivalent to 86 more observations on the wet pouch than on dry at each site, on average), with ants accounting for over 50% of the overall response in urban areas. Daily fluctuations in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) best predicted daily variation in water demand behavior, with increased demand at higher VPD. Mean VPD was generally highest near urbanized areas, but effects of VPD on water demand behavior were generally lower in urbanized areas (possibly related to reductions in overall abundance reducing the potential response). On certain days, VPD was high in natural areas and greenspaces, and this coincided with the highest arthropod water demand behavior observed. Our results suggest that terrestrial arthropod communities do experience periods of water demand within mesic regions, including in greenspaces outside cities, where they appear to respond strongly to short periods of dry conditions-an observation with potential relevance for understanding the effects of climate change.
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Mbenoun Masse PS, Tindo M, Djiéto-Lordon C, Mony R, Kenne M. Temporal variation in ant community assemblages along a rural–urban gradient in the Yaoundé metropolis, Cameroon. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01143-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Mata L, Andersen AN, Morán-Ordóñez A, Hahs AK, Backstrom A, Ives CD, Bickel D, Duncan D, Palma E, Thomas F, Cranney K, Walker K, Shears I, Semeraro L, Malipatil M, Moir ML, Plein M, Porch N, Vesk PA, Smith TR, Lynch Y. Indigenous plants promote insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02309. [PMID: 33605502 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of urban greenspaces to support biodiversity and provide benefits for people is increasingly recognized. However, ongoing management practices favor vegetation oversimplification, often limiting greenspaces to lawns and tree canopy rather than multi-layered vegetation that includes under- and midstorey, and the use of nonnative species. These practices hinder the potential of greenspaces to sustain indigenous biodiversity, particularly for taxa like insects that rely on plants for food and habitat. Yet, little is known about which plant species may maximize positive outcomes for taxonomically and functionally diverse insect communities in greenspaces. Additionally, while cities are expected to experience high rates of introductions, quantitative assessments of the relative occupancy of indigenous vs. introduced insect species in greenspace are rare, hindering understanding of how management may promote indigenous biodiversity while limiting the establishment of introduced insects. Using a hierarchically replicated study design across 15 public parks, we recorded occurrence data from 552 insect species on 133 plant species, differing in planting design element (lawn, midstorey, and tree canopy), midstorey growth form (forbs, lilioids, graminoids, and shrubs) and origin (nonnative, native, and indigenous), to assess (1) the relative contributions of indigenous and introduced insect species and (2) which plant species sustained the highest number of indigenous insects. We found that the insect community was overwhelmingly composed of indigenous rather than introduced species. Our findings further highlight the core role of multi-layered vegetation in sustaining high insect biodiversity in urban areas, with indigenous midstorey and canopy representing key elements to maintain rich and functionally diverse indigenous insect communities. Intriguingly, graminoids supported the highest indigenous insect richness across all studied growth forms by plant origin groups. Our work highlights the opportunity presented by indigenous understory and midstorey plants, particularly indigenous graminoids, in our study area to promote indigenous insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces. Our study provides a blueprint and stimulus for architects, engineers, developers, designers, and planners to incorporate into their practice plant species palettes that foster a larger presence of indigenous over regionally native or nonnative plant species, while incorporating a broader mixture of midstorey growth forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Mata
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Urban Research, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Alan N Andersen
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, 0909, Australia
| | | | - Amy K Hahs
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anna Backstrom
- Centre for Urban Research, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | | | - Daniel Bickel
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia
| | - David Duncan
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Estibaliz Palma
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Freya Thomas
- Centre for Urban Research, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Kate Cranney
- The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Ken Walker
- Science Department, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Ian Shears
- City of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Linda Semeraro
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Mallik Malipatil
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Melinda L Moir
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Michaela Plein
- Administration de la Nature et des Forêts, Diekirch, 9233, Luxembourg
| | - Nick Porch
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Peter A Vesk
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tessa R Smith
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - Yvonne Lynch
- City of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
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16
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Dilworth KA, Borowiec ML, Cohen AL, Mickelson GS, Oeller EC, Crowder DW, Clark RE. Ants of the Palouse Prairie: diversity and species composition in an endangered grassland. Biodivers Data J 2021; 9:e65768. [PMID: 34012316 PMCID: PMC8128849 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.9.e65768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Grasslands are globally imperilled ecosystems due to widespread conversion to agriculture and there is a concerted effort to catalogue arthropod diversity in grasslands to guide conservation decisions. The Palouse Prairie is one such endangered grassland; a mid-elevation habitat found in Washington and Idaho, United States. Ants (Formicidae) are useful indicators of biodiversity and historical ecological disturbance, but there has been no structured sampling of ants in the Palouse Prairie. To fill this gap, we employed a rapid inventory sampling approach using pitfall traps to capture peak ant activity in five habitat fragments. We complemented our survey with a systemic review of field studies for the ant species found in Palouse Prairie. Our field inventory yielded 17 ant species across 10 genera and our models estimate the total ant species pool to be 27. The highest ant diversity was found in an actively-managed ecological trust in Latah County, Idaho, suggesting that restoration efforts may increase biodiversity. We also report two rarely-collected ants in the Pacific Northwest and a microgyne that may represent an undescribed species related to Brachymyrmexdepilis. Our score-counting review revealed that grassland ants in Palouse Prairie have rarely been studied previously and that more ant surveys in temperate grasslands have lagged behind sampling efforts of other global biomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A Dilworth
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
| | - Marek L Borowiec
- University of Idaho, Moscow, United States of America University of Idaho Moscow United States of America
| | - Abigail L Cohen
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
| | - Gabrielle S Mickelson
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
| | - Elisabeth C Oeller
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
| | - David W Crowder
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
| | - Robert E Clark
- Washington State University, Pullman, United States of America Washington State University Pullman United States of America
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17
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Dáttilo W, MacGregor-Fors I. Ant social foraging strategies along a Neotropical gradient of urbanization. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6119. [PMID: 33731763 PMCID: PMC7969926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, urbanization has been highlighted as one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Among organisms commonly associated with urban environments, ants occupy urbanized green areas and can live both inside and around human settlements. However, despite the increasing number of studies on the ecological dynamics of ant species developed mainly in temperate urban ecosystems, there is still little knowledge about the behavioral strategies that allow ant species to live and even thrive within cities. In this study, we evaluated the role of urbanization in shaping ant communities, including their social foraging, considering built cover as a gradually changing variable that describes an urban gradient. Specifically, we assessed whether species richness, composition, and the proportion of exotic ant species are related to an urban gradient in a medium-sized Neotropical city immersed in a cloud forest context in Mexico. Moreover, we evaluated the social foraging strategies that could promote ant species coexistence in an urban environment. In general, and contrary to our hypothesis, we found no evidence that the built cover gradient affected the richness, composition, or proportion of exotic ant species foraging on food resources, indicating a filtering and simplification of ant communities given by urbanization. Moreover, we show for the first time that urban ant species exhibited a “discovery-defense strategy”, whereby the ant species with the greatest capacity to discover new food resources were those that showed the greatest ability to monopolize it after 120 min of observation, regardless of the type of resource (i.e., tuna or honey bait). Our findings have a direct impact on the knowledge about how urbanization shapes ant communities and behavior, by showing the foraging strategies of ant species that feed on similar food resources present that allows them to coexist in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
| | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- Red de Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. .,Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Lahti, Finland.
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18
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19
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Melo TS, Moreira EF, Lopes MVA, Andrade ARS, Brescovit AD, Peres MCL, Delabie JHC. Influence of Urban Landscape on Ants and Spiders Richness and Composition in Forests. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:32-45. [PMID: 33501630 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-020-00824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As large amounts of natural environments are lost due to urbanization, the role of remnant native vegetation in the preservation of biodiversity has become even more significant. Remnant native forest patches are essential refugia for flora and fauna and are crucial for the maintenance of ecosystem processes in urbanized landscapes. We evaluated the influence of landscape structure on ants and spiders associated with Atlantic Forest remnants in urban landscapes. We sampled 14 forest areas in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador and tested the effect of the landscapes' proportion of forest cover, mean landscape isolation, and mean landscape shape complexity on the taxonomic and functional richness and the community composition of both groups. The species collected were classified into functional groups based on behavioral attributes and environmental preferences. Overall, there were strong adverse effects of forest loss, decreased connectivity, and an increase in edge effects associated with the mean shape complexity of the forest remnants. However, the spiders responded to all three landscape structure characteristics whereas the ants only responded to the landscape mean shape complexity. Our findings indicate that the maintenance of urban forest habitats is essential for the conservation of biodiversity in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador and the preservation of ecological functions performed by species within the forest areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Melo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Univ Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.
- Centro de Ecologia e Conservação Animal, Univ Católica do Salvador, Salvador, BA, Brasil.
| | - E F Moreira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Univ Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies in Ecology and Evolution, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - M V A Lopes
- Centro de Ecologia e Conservação Animal, Univ Católica do Salvador, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Univ Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | - A R S Andrade
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Univ Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- Centro de Ecologia e Conservação Animal, Univ Católica do Salvador, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - A D Brescovit
- Lab de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M C L Peres
- Centro de Ecologia e Conservação Animal, Univ Católica do Salvador, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - J H C Delabie
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Univ Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- Lab de Mirmecologia, Convênio UESC/CEPLAC, CEPEC-CEPLAC, Itabuna, Itabuna, Bahia, Brasil
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20
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Becker JE, McCluney KE. Urbanization‐driven climate change increases invertebrate lipid demand, relative to protein—A response to dehydration. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie E. Becker
- 217 Life Sciences Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
| | - Kevin E. McCluney
- 217 Life Sciences Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
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21
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Interactive effects of urbanization and year on invasive and native ant diversity of sacred groves of South India. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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22
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Armstrong JH, Kulikowski AJ, Philpott SM. Urban renewable energy and ecosystems: integrating vegetation with ground-mounted solar arrays increases arthropod abundance of key functional groups. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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23
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Kolenda K, Salata S, Kujawa K, Kuśmierek N, Smolis A, Kadej M. Deadly trap or sweet home? The case of discarded containers as novelty microhabitats for ants. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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24
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Mody K, Lerch D, Müller AK, Simons NK, Blüthgen N, Harnisch M. Flower power in the city: Replacing roadside shrubs by wildflower meadows increases insect numbers and reduces maintenance costs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234327. [PMID: 32516354 PMCID: PMC7282654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive declines in insect biodiversity and biomass are reported from many regions and habitats. In urban areas, creation of native wildflower meadows is one option to support insects and reduce maintenance costs of urban green spaces. However, benefits for insect conservation may depend on previous land use, and the size and location of new wildflower meadows. We show effects of conversion of roadside plantings-from exotic shrubs into wildflower meadows-on (1) the abundance of 13 arthropod taxa-Opiliones, Araneae, Isopoda, Collembola, Orthoptera, Aphidoidea, Auchenorrhyncha, Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Nematocera, Brachycera, Apocrita, Formicidae-and (2) changes in maintenance costs. We assessed the influence of vegetation type (meadow vs. woody), meadow age, size, location (distance to city boundary), and mowing regime. We found many, but not all, arthropod taxa profiting from meadows in terms of arthropod activity abundance in pitfall traps and arthropod density in standardized suction samples. Arthropod number in meadows was 212% higher in pitfall traps and 260% higher in suction samples compared to woody vegetation. The increased arthropod number in meadows was independent of the size and isolation of green spaces for most taxa. However, mowing regime strongly affected several arthropod taxa, with an increase of 63% of total arthropod density in unmown compared to mown meadow spots. Costs of green space maintenance were fivefold lower for meadows than for woody vegetation. Our study shows that (1) many different arthropod taxa occur in roadside vegetation in urban areas, (2) replacement of exotic woody vegetation by native wildflower meadows can significantly increase arthropod abundance, especially if meadow management permits temporarily unmown areas, and (3) maintenance costs can be considerably reduced by converting woody plantings into wildflower meadows. Considering many groups of arthropods, our study provides new insights into possible measures to support arthropods in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Mody
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Doris Lerch
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Müller
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nadja K. Simons
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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25
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Landscape Context Influences the Abundance and Richness of Native Lady Beetles Occupying Urban Vacant Land. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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26
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Wild Bee Conservation within Urban Gardens and Nurseries: Effects of Local and Landscape Management. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su12010293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Across urban environments, vegetated habitats provide refuge for biodiversity. Gardens (designed for food crop production) and nurseries (designed for ornamental plant production) are both urban agricultural habitats characterized by high plant species richness but may vary in their ability to support wild pollinators, particularly bees. In gardens, pollinators are valued for crop production. In nurseries, ornamental plants rarely require pollination; thus, the potential of nurseries to support pollinators has not been examined. We asked how these habitats vary in their ability to support wild bees, and what habitat features relate to this variability. In 19 gardens and 11 nurseries in California, USA, we compared how local habitat and landscape features affected wild bee species abundance and richness. To assess local features, we estimated floral richness and measured ground cover as proxies for food and nesting resources, respectively. To assess landscape features, we measured impervious land cover surrounding each site. Our analyses showed that differences in floral richness, local habitat size, and the amount of urban land cover impacted garden wild bee species richness. In nurseries, floral richness and the proportion of native plant species impacted wild bee abundance and richness. We suggest management guidelines for supporting wild pollinators in both habitats.
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27
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Perez A, Diamond SE. Idiosyncrasies in cities: evaluating patterns and drivers of ant biodiversity along urbanization gradients. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urbanization is expected to reduce biodiversity. However, an increasing number of studies report urban biodiversity comparable to that of surrounding nonurban areas, leaving open the question: what maintains biodiversity in cities? We characterized patterns of ant biodiversity across urbanization gradients of three major cities in the Midwestern United States and evaluated the support for two mechanisms underlying the maintenance of biodiversity in cities, specifically via introduced non-native species and differential phenology of communities along each urbanization gradient. We observed idiosyncrasies in ant species diversity such that each city displayed either increased, decreased or no change in biodiversity across the urbanization gradient. We found partial support (one of the three cities) for the hypothesis that non-native species can contribute positively to overall species diversity in cities, though even with introduced species removed from consideration, native ant biodiversity was maintained along the urbanization gradient. We found no support for systematic differential phenology across urbanization gradients, although species diversity did vary over time across all sites. Our results further challenge the assumption of biodiversity loss in cities, as two of our three cities exhibited maintained species diversity along the urbanization gradient. Most importantly, our study demonstrates that urban biodiversity can be maintained entirely by native communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abe Perez
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sarah E Diamond
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, USA
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28
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29
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Miguelena JG, Baker PB. Effects of Urbanization on the Diversity, Abundance, and Composition of Ant Assemblages in an Arid City. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 48:836-846. [PMID: 31201775 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cities within arid regions make up a significant but understudied subset of the urban ecosystems of the world. To assess the effects of urbanization, fragmentation, and land-use change in an arid city, we sampled the ant assemblages in three habitat types in Tucson, Arizona: irrigated neighborhood parks, urban desert remnants, and preserved desert. We analyzed the abundance, species richness, evenness, as well as the species and functional group composition of ant assemblages. We found no significant differences in species richness or evenness. However, irrigated parks had significantly greater ant abundances. Although some exotic species were present in the urban habitats, they did not have significant effects on ant diversity. Ant assemblages from all three habitat types were distinct from each other in their composition. Irrigated parks included a significantly higher proportion of species typically found in cooler and wetter climates. The differences in abundance and species composition between irrigated parks and the other habitats are likely the effect of irrigation removing water as a limiting factor for colony growth and increasing resource availability, as well as producing a localized cooling effect. Our results show that arid urban ecosystems may include considerable biodiversity, in part thanks to increased landscape heterogeneity resulting from the irrigation of green areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul B Baker
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Forbes, Tucson, AZ
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30
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Santos MN, Delabie JHC, Queiroz JM. Biodiversity conservation in urban parks: a study of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Rio de Janeiro City. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00872-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Ant assemblages on littered food waste and food removal rates in urban–suburban parks of Tokyo. Basic Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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32
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33
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Yekwayo I, Mwabvu T. Diversity and composition of flightless arthropods on rock outcrops and adjacent vegetation in the savannah, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Afr J Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Inam Yekwayo
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences University of Mpumalanga Mbombela South Africa
| | - Tarombera Mwabvu
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences University of Mpumalanga Mbombela South Africa
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34
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Avilés-Rodríguez KJ, Kolbe JJ. Escape in the city: urbanization alters the escape behavior of Anolis lizards. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00845-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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35
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Brandon-Mong GJ, Littlefair JE, Sing KW, Lee YP, Gan HM, Clare EL, Wilson JJ. Temporal changes in arthropod activity in tropical anthropogenic forests. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2018; 108:792-799. [PMID: 29441836 DOI: 10.1017/s000748531800010x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Arthropod communities in the tropics are increasingly impacted by rapid changes in land use. Because species showing distinct seasonal patterns of activity are thought to be at higher risk of climate-related extirpation, global warming is generally considered a lower threat to arthropod biodiversity in the tropics than in temperate regions. To examine changes associated with land use and weather variables in tropical arthropod communities, we deployed Malaise traps at three major anthropogenic forests (secondary reserve forest, oil palm forest, and urban ornamental forest (UOF)) in Peninsular Malaysia and collected arthropods continuously for 12 months. We used metabarcoding protocols to characterize the diversity within weekly samples. We found that changes in the composition of arthropod communities were significantly associated with maximum temperature in all the three forests, but shifts were reversed in the UOF compared with the other forests. This suggests arthropods in forests in Peninsular Malaysia face a double threat: community shifts and biodiversity loss due to exploitation and disturbance of forests which consequently put species at further risk related to global warming. We highlight the positive feedback mechanism of land use and temperature, which pose threats to the arthropod communities and further implicates ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Consequently, conservation and mitigation plans are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G-J Brandon-Mong
- Institute of Biological Sciences,Faculty of Science,University of Malaya,50603 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
| | - J E Littlefair
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London,Mile End Rd., London,E1 4NS,UK
| | - K-W Sing
- South China DNA Barcoding Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,32 Jiaochang Donglu, 650223 Kunming, Yunnan,P. R. China
| | - Y-P Lee
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia,Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,Malaysia
| | - H-M Gan
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia,Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,Malaysia
| | - E L Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London,Mile End Rd., London,E1 4NS,UK
| | - J-J Wilson
- International College Beijing, China Agricultural University,Beijing, 100083,P. R. China
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36
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Asset or Liability? Ecological and Sociological Tradeoffs of Urban Spontaneous Vegetation on Vacant Land in Shrinking Cities. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10072139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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37
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Unique Bee Communities within Vacant Lots and Urban Farms Result from Variation in Surrounding Urbanization Intensity. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10061926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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38
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Clucas B, Parker ID, Feldpausch-Parker AM. A systematic review of the relationship between urban agriculture and biodiversity. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0748-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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39
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Does urbanization explain differences in interactions between an insect herbivore and its natural enemies and mutualists? Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-017-0727-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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40
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Warren II RJ, Bayba S, Krupp KT. Interacting effects of urbanization and coastal gradients on ant thermal responses. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juy026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R J Warren II
- Department of Biology, SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - S Bayba
- Department of Biology, SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - K T Krupp
- Department of Biology, SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
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41
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Delgado de la Flor YA, Burkman CE, Eldredge TK, Gardiner MM. Patch and landscape‐scale variables influence the taxonomic and functional composition of beetles in urban greenspaces. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Caitlin E. Burkman
- Department of Entomology The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Taro K. Eldredge
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas 66045 USA
| | - Mary M. Gardiner
- Department of Entomology The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
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42
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Lagucki E, Burdine JD, McCluney KE. Urbanization alters communities of flying arthropods in parks and gardens of a medium-sized city. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3620. [PMID: 28890848 PMCID: PMC5590548 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization transforms undeveloped landscapes into built environments, causing changes in communities and ecological processes. Flying arthropods play important roles in these processes as pollinators, decomposers, and predators, and can be important in structuring food webs. The goal of this study was to identify associations between urbanization and the composition of communities of flying (and floating) arthropods within gardens and parks in a medium-sized mesic city. We predicted that flying arthropod abundance and diversity would respond strongly to percent impervious surface and distance to city center, measurements of urbanization. Flying arthropods were sampled from 30 gardens and parks along an urbanization gradient in Toledo, Ohio, during July and August 2016, using elevated pan traps. A variety of potential predictor variables were also recorded at each site. We collected a total of 2,369 individuals representing nine orders. We found that flying arthropod community composition was associated with percent impervious surface and canopy cover. Overall flying arthropod abundance was negatively associated with percent impervious surface and positively associated with distance to city center. Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants), Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies), and Araneae (spiders) were positively associated with distance to city center. Hemiptera (true bugs), Diptera (flies), and Araneae were negatively associated with percent impervious surface. Both distance to city center and percent impervious surface are metrics of urbanization, and this study shows how these factors influence flying arthropod communities in urban gardens and city parks, including significant reductions in taxa that contain pollinators and predators important to urban agriculture and forestry. A variety of environmental factors also showed significant associations with responses (e.g. canopy cover and soil moisture), suggesting these factors may underlie or modulate the urbanization effects. More research is needed to determine mechanisms of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Lagucki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Justin D Burdine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Kevin E McCluney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
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43
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Philpott SM, Bichier P. Local and landscape drivers of predation services in urban gardens. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 27:966-976. [PMID: 28083983 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In agroecosystems, local and landscape features, as well as natural enemy abundance and richness, are significant predictors of predation services that may result in biological control of pests. Despite the increasing importance of urban gardening for provisioning of food to urban populations, most urban gardeners suffer from high pest problems, and have little knowledge about how to manage their plots to increase biological control services. We examined the influence of local, garden scale (i.e., herbaceous and arboreal vegetation abundance and diversity, ground cover) and landscape (i.e., landscape diversity and surrounding land use types) characteristics on predation services provided by naturally occurring predators in 19 urban gardens in the California central coast. We introduced sentinel pests (moth eggs and larvae and pea aphids) onto greenhouse-raised plants taken to gardens and assigned to open or bagged (predator exclosure) treatments. We found high predation rates with between 40% and 90% of prey items removed in open treatments. Predation services varied with local and landscape factors, but significant predictors differed by prey species. Predation of eggs and aphids increased with vegetation complexity in gardens, but larvae predation declined with vegetation complexity. Smaller gardens experienced higher predation services, likely due to increases in predator abundance in smaller gardens. Several ground cover features influenced predation services. In contrast to patterns in rural agricultural landscapes, predation on aphids declined with increases in landscape diversity. In sum, we report the relationships between several local management factors, as well as landscape surroundings, and implications for garden management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy M Philpott
- Department of Environmental Studies, 1156 High Street, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Peter Bichier
- Department of Environmental Studies, 1156 High Street, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
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I’m not like everybody else: urbanization factors shaping spatial distribution of native and invasive ants are species-specific. Urban Ecosyst 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-016-0576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Penick CA, Savage AM, Dunn RR. Stable isotopes reveal links between human food inputs and urban ant diets. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20142608. [PMID: 25833850 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The amount of energy consumed within an average city block is an order of magnitude higher than that consumed in any other ecosystem over a similar area. This is driven by human food inputs, but the consequence of these resources for urban animal populations is poorly understood. We investigated the role of human foods in ant diets across an urbanization gradient in Manhattan using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. We found that some-but not all-ant species living in Manhattan's most urbanized habitats had δ(13)C signatures associated with processed human foods. In particular, pavement ants (Tetramorium sp. E) had increased levels of δ(13)C similar to δ(13)C levels in human fast foods. The magnitude of this effect was positively correlated with urbanization. By contrast, we detected no differences in δ(15)N, suggesting Tetramorium feeds at the same trophic level despite shifting to human foods. This pattern persisted across the broader ant community; species in traffic islands used human resources more than park species. Our results demonstrate that the degree urban ants exploit human resources changes across the city and among species, and this variation could play a key role in community structure and ecosystem processes where human and animal food webs intersect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clint A Penick
- Department of Biological Sciences and Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Amy M Savage
- Department of Biological Sciences and Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA Biology Department, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Biological Sciences and Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Long SA, Jacups SP, Ritchie SA. Lethal ovitrap deployment for Aedes aegypti control: potential implications for non-target organisms. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2015; 40:139-145. [PMID: 26047194 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In Australia, dengue control combines source reduction with lethal ovitraps to reduce Aedes aegypti populations during outbreaks. Lethal ovitraps are considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of controlling container-inhabiting mosquitoes, however, to-date, this claim has not been quantified. This study assesses the potential impact of lethal ovitraps on non-target organisms when used to control Ae. aegypti in tropical Australia. For retention of specimens, we substituted standard sticky ovitraps for lethal ovitraps. We collected 988 Ae. aegypti and 44,132 non-target specimens over 13 months from 16 sites. Although Ae. aegypti comprised only 2.2% of the total collection, they were were the eighth most dominant taxa collected, on the 93(rd) percentile. Of the non-target organisms, Collembola were the dominant taxa, 44.2%, with 36.8% and 10.5% Diptera and Hymenoptera, respectively. Of the Dipterans, 61% were family Phoridae. Lethal ovitraps were visited by 90 insect or invertebrate families in total. Ovitraps are attractive to Collembola, Phoridae, Sciaridae, Formicidae, and Culicidae, with minimal attraction by Apidae and other commonly monitored non-target organisms. For container-inhabiting mosquitoes, LOs are cost effective operationally, requiring minimal staff resources for placement and retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharron A Long
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 4870
| | - Susan P Jacups
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 4870.
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 4870.
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 4870
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Youngsteadt E, Henderson RC, Savage AM, Ernst AF, Dunn RR, Frank SD. Habitat and species identity, not diversity, predict the extent of refuse consumption by urban arthropods. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:1103-1115. [PMID: 25463151 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Urban green spaces provide ecosystem services to city residents, but their management is hindered by a poor understanding of their ecology. We examined a novel ecosystem service relevant to urban public health and esthetics: the consumption of littered food waste by arthropods. Theory and data from natural systems suggest that the magnitude and resilience of this service should increase with biological diversity. We measured food removal by presenting known quantities of cookies, potato chips, and hot dogs in street medians (24 sites) and parks (21 sites) in New York City, USA. At the same sites, we assessed ground-arthropod diversity and abiotic conditions, including history of flooding during Hurricane Sandy 7 months prior to the study. Arthropod diversity was greater in parks (on average 11 hexapod families and 4.7 ant species per site), than in medians (nine hexapod families and 2.7 ant species per site). However, counter to our diversity-based prediction, arthropods in medians removed 2-3 times more food per day than did those in parks. We detected no effect of flooding (at 19 sites) on this service. Instead, greater food removal was associated with the presence of the introduced pavement ant (Tetramorium sp. E) and with hotter, drier conditions that may have increased arthropod metabolism. When vertebrates also had access to food, more was removed, indicating that arthropods and vertebrates compete for littered food. We estimate that arthropods alone could remove 4-6.5 kg of food per year in a single street median, reducing its availability to less desirable fauna such as rats. Our results suggest that species identity and habitat may be more relevant than diversity for predicting urban ecosystem services. Even small green spaces such as street medians provide ecosystem services that may complement those of larger habitat patches across the urban landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Youngsteadt
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7613, USA
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Van Nuland ME, Whitlow WL. Temporal effects on biodiversity and composition of arthropod communities along an urban–rural gradient. Urban Ecosyst 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-014-0358-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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49
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Local and landscape drivers of arthropod abundance, richness, and trophic composition in urban habitats. Urban Ecosyst 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-013-0333-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Lutinski JA, Lopes BC, Morais ABBD. Diversidade de formigas urbanas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de dez cidades do sul do Brasil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2013. [DOI: 10.1590/s1676-06032013000300033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
O processo de urbanização vem sendo tratado como uma das maiores ameaças à biodiversidade e, dentre os organismos encontrados em áreas urbanas, as formigas representam um grupo importante, porém ainda pouco estudado comparado a outros insetos. Conhecer a riqueza e a composição da mirmecofauna que habita áreas urbanas e os fatores que estão exercendo pressão sobre essas comunidades são imperativos para a elaboração de planos de manejo e conservação. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade de formigas de dez cidades localizadas na região austral do Bioma Mata Atlântica. As assembleias foram avaliadas e comparadas por meio da análise de rarefação e estimativas de riqueza. Foram registradas 8.790 ocorrências de formigas, tendo sido identificadas 140 espécies, representantes de 37 gêneros, 19 tribos e nove subfamílias o que corresponde a 38,2% da mirmecofauna conhecida para o estado de Santa Catarina. As assembleias de formigas não diferiram marcadamente quanto à riqueza, entretanto, nove cidades apresentaram espécies exclusivas mostrando variação na composição das espécies. A existência e a conservação de ambientes como fragmentos florestais e áreas verdes no perímetro urbano podem explicar a riqueza e abundância dessas assembleias de formigas.
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