The Experts below are selected from a list of 13848 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Martin M. Gossner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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long term restoration success of Insect herbivore Communities in seminatural grasslands a functional approach
Ecological Applications, 2020Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Carol M Resch, Anja Marty, Jacob D Rolley, Martin Schutz, Anita C Risch, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Seminatural grasslands are important biodiversity hotspots, but they are increasingly degraded by intensive agriculture. Grassland restoration is considered to be promising in halting the ongoing loss of biodiversity, but this evaluation is mostly based on plant Communities. Insect herbivores contribute substantially to grassland biodiversity and to the provisioning of a variety of ecosystem functions. However, it is unclear how they respond to different measures that are commonly used to restore seminatural grasslands from intensively used agricultural land. We studied the long-term success of different restoration techniques, which were originally targeted at reestablishing seminatural grassland plant Communities, for herbivorous Insect Communities on taxonomic as well as functional level. Therefore, we sampled Insect Communities 22 yr after the establishment of restoration measures. These measures ranged from harvest and removal of biomass to removal of the topsoil layer and subsequent seeding of plant propagules. We found that Insect Communities in restored grasslands had higher taxonomic and functional diversity compared to intensively managed agricultural grasslands and were more similar in composition to target grasslands. Restoration measures including topsoil removal proved to be more effective, in particular in restoring species characterized by functional traits susceptible to intensive agriculture (e.g., large-bodied species). Our study shows that long-term success in the restoration of herbivorous Insect Communities of seminatural grasslands can be achieved by different restoration measures and that more invasive approaches that involve the removal of the topsoil layer are more effective. We attribute these restoration successes to accompanying changes in the plant community, resulting in bottom-up control of the herbivore community. Our results are of critical importance for management decisions aiming to restore multi-trophic Communities, their functional composition and consequently the proliferation of ecosystem functions.
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Cross-scale effects of land use on the functional composition of herbivorous Insect Communities
Landscape Ecology, 2019Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Nico Blüthgen, Melanie N. Chisté, Nadja K. Simons, Juliane Steckel, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Catrin Westphal, Loïc Pellissier, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Context Insect herbivores comprise the majority of macroinvertebrate Communities of temperate grasslands and act as drivers for important ecosystem functions. Landscape- and local-level land use may alter species pools and dispersal possibilities and act as local environmental filters, affecting Insect trait composition. Objectives While environmental filtering by local land use has repeatedly been shown to affect Insect community assembly, less is known about the role of land-use intensity at the landscape level. We studied the relative importance of both local- and landscape-level land use in shaping the functional diversity and composition as well as the functional β-diversity among herbivore Communities. Methods We used abundance data of three main herbivorous Insect groups from grasslands across three regions in Germany and combined it with data on nine morphometric traits related to functions such as dispersal abilities to analyse the effects of different land-use components on community assembly. Results Land use at both the local and landscape level affected the functional composition of Insect Communities. Some trait combinations were particularly sensitive to changes in management intensity, whereas others reacted strongly to the availability of suitable habitats in the surrounding area. Simultaneously, functional diversity was not affected by land use at either spatial level. However, increasing local management intensity reduced functional β-diversity. Conclusions We conclude that both local- and landscape-level land use shape the functional composition of Insect Communities. Our results highlight the importance of considering land use across multiple spatial scales to understand its effects on the functional integrity of herbivore Communities in temperate grasslands.
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cross scale effects of land use on the functional composition of herbivorous Insect Communities
Landscape Ecology, 2019Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Nico Blüthgen, Melanie N. Chisté, Nadja K. Simons, Juliane Steckel, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Catrin Westphal, Loïc Pellissier, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Insect herbivores comprise the majority of macroinvertebrate Communities of temperate grasslands and act as drivers for important ecosystem functions. Landscape- and local-level land use may alter species pools and dispersal possibilities and act as local environmental filters, affecting Insect trait composition. While environmental filtering by local land use has repeatedly been shown to affect Insect community assembly, less is known about the role of land-use intensity at the landscape level. We studied the relative importance of both local- and landscape-level land use in shaping the functional diversity and composition as well as the functional β-diversity among herbivore Communities. We used abundance data of three main herbivorous Insect groups from grasslands across three regions in Germany and combined it with data on nine morphometric traits related to functions such as dispersal abilities to analyse the effects of different land-use components on community assembly. Land use at both the local and landscape level affected the functional composition of Insect Communities. Some trait combinations were particularly sensitive to changes in management intensity, whereas others reacted strongly to the availability of suitable habitats in the surrounding area. Simultaneously, functional diversity was not affected by land use at either spatial level. However, increasing local management intensity reduced functional β-diversity. We conclude that both local- and landscape-level land use shape the functional composition of Insect Communities. Our results highlight the importance of considering land use across multiple spatial scales to understand its effects on the functional integrity of herbivore Communities in temperate grasslands.
Leandro Juen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the habitat integrity index and aquatic Insect Communities in tropical streams a meta analysis
Ecological Indicators, 2020Co-Authors: Leandro Schlemmer Brasil, Edgar Luiz De Lima, Zander Augusto Spigoloni, Danielle Regina Gomes Ribeirobrasil, Leandro JuenAbstract:Abstract Conversion of natural landscapes into agricultural land-uses represents a major threat to global biodiversity. In lotic ecosystems, aquatic Insects are among some of the most vulnerable organisms to such alterations, and thus it is important to study and evaluate how habitat integrity is affected by human activities. In this work we review the Habitat Integrity Index (HII): a measure of environmental integrity of streams. Our objective was to evaluate if this index is a reliable tool for environmental monitoring in tropical streams. We synthesize the relationship between HII and aquatic Insect Communities in 647 streams in Brazil. Our analysis showed a significant relationship between HII and aquatic Insect Communities, explaining 29% of variation in community composition and structure. Thus, the HII reflects local environmental quality, as well as wider landscape conditions, making it a good predictor for aquatic and semiaquatic organisms. Our results indicate that HII is a good alternative for aquatic biomonitoring in the Brazilian stream and in other countries that have an Amazon rainforest.
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Influence of oil palm monoculture on the taxonomic and functional composition of aquatic Insect Communities in eastern Brazilian Amazonia
Ecological Indicators, 2017Co-Authors: Ana Luiza-andrade, Leandro Schlemmer Brasil, Naraiana Loureiro Benone, Yulie Shimano, Ana Paula Justino Farias, Luciano Fogaça Montag, Sylvain Doledec, Leandro JuenAbstract:Large scale palm oil plantations for the production of vegetable oil are among the most harmful agricultural activities to biodiversity, especially given their rapid expansion, worldwide. Many cases of species loss have already been recorded in Asian countries, although research is still incipient in the Amazon basin, and the environmental impacts of these monocultures on freshwater ecosystems in the Neotropical region are still poorly understood. The present study evaluated the effects of oil palm plantations on the physical structure of stream habitats and the resulting changes in the taxonomic and functional composition of aquatic Insect Communities. A total of 2100 specimens of the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera were collected during the present study, representing 40 genera and 16 families. The hypothesis tested was that the taxonomic and functional diversity of the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (Insecta) decreases in streams surrounded by oil palm plantations in comparison with those embedded in forested areas. In the plantation streams, the taxonomic richness and composition, and the functional richness are modified significantly. Functional composition appeared unaltered despite reduced canopy cover associated with oil palm streams. These effects emphasize the importance of the riparian vegetation for the protection of the aquatic Communities found in oil palm plantations. The maintenance of the riparian vegetation may mitigate the impacts of plantations, contributing to the conservation of Insect Communities and associated biodiversity.
Lawrence M Hanks - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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endophytic Insect Communities of two prairie perennials asteraceae silphium spp
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2004Co-Authors: John F Tooker, Lawrence M HanksAbstract:Little is known of the biology of most Insects that are endemic to prairie ecosystems of North America, with the exception of large and conspicuous species. In particular, species that are sequestered within plant tissues are commonly overlooked. In this paper, we assess the bio- diversity of endophytic Insects that inhabit stems of Silphium laciniatum L. and S. terebinthinaceum Jacquin (Asteraceae), endemic plants of tallgrass prairies. Endophytic herbivores, gall wasps Antistrophus rufus Gillette and A. minor Gillette (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and stem-boring larvae of the beetle Mordellistena aethiops Smith (Coleoptera: Mordellidae) were attacked by 10 species of natural enemies. We report new host plant associations for herbivores, and new host Insect associations for parasitoids. The two plant species differed significantly in their densities of gall wasps and the vertical dispersion of galls within stems. Interactions within and between trophic levels attest to the biodiversity of endophytic Insect Communities, and the specialized nature of these Insects suggests they are highly vulnerable to habitat conservation practices that involve destruction of dead vegetation.
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impact of prescribed burning on endophytic Insect Communities of prairie perennials asteraceae silphium spp
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2004Co-Authors: John F Tooker, Lawrence M HanksAbstract:Prescribed burning currently is used to preserve endemicity of plant Communities in remnant tallgrass prairies. Although some types of arthropods benefit from changes in plant Communities brought about by burning, other species that are endemic to prairies may be threatened. Because they inhabit the ‘fuel layer’ of prairies, endophytic Insects would seem particularly susceptible to this management tactic. In this paper, we assess the impact of prescribed burning on endophytic Insect Communities inhabiting stems of Silphium laciniatum L. and S. terebinthinaceum Jacquin (Asteraceae), endemic prairie plants. Populations of these Insects were decimated by burning, with mortality approaching 100% in most cases. Their populations nevertheless began to rebound within a single growing season, with densities moderately but significantly reduced 1 year after the burn. Even when a prairie remnant was completely incinerated, plant stems were recolonized by Insects within one growing season. Our findings suggest that sufficient numbers of endophytic Insects survive burns in remains of Silphium to recolonize burned areas the following year.
Felix Neff - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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long term restoration success of Insect herbivore Communities in seminatural grasslands a functional approach
Ecological Applications, 2020Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Carol M Resch, Anja Marty, Jacob D Rolley, Martin Schutz, Anita C Risch, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Seminatural grasslands are important biodiversity hotspots, but they are increasingly degraded by intensive agriculture. Grassland restoration is considered to be promising in halting the ongoing loss of biodiversity, but this evaluation is mostly based on plant Communities. Insect herbivores contribute substantially to grassland biodiversity and to the provisioning of a variety of ecosystem functions. However, it is unclear how they respond to different measures that are commonly used to restore seminatural grasslands from intensively used agricultural land. We studied the long-term success of different restoration techniques, which were originally targeted at reestablishing seminatural grassland plant Communities, for herbivorous Insect Communities on taxonomic as well as functional level. Therefore, we sampled Insect Communities 22 yr after the establishment of restoration measures. These measures ranged from harvest and removal of biomass to removal of the topsoil layer and subsequent seeding of plant propagules. We found that Insect Communities in restored grasslands had higher taxonomic and functional diversity compared to intensively managed agricultural grasslands and were more similar in composition to target grasslands. Restoration measures including topsoil removal proved to be more effective, in particular in restoring species characterized by functional traits susceptible to intensive agriculture (e.g., large-bodied species). Our study shows that long-term success in the restoration of herbivorous Insect Communities of seminatural grasslands can be achieved by different restoration measures and that more invasive approaches that involve the removal of the topsoil layer are more effective. We attribute these restoration successes to accompanying changes in the plant community, resulting in bottom-up control of the herbivore community. Our results are of critical importance for management decisions aiming to restore multi-trophic Communities, their functional composition and consequently the proliferation of ecosystem functions.
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Cross-scale effects of land use on the functional composition of herbivorous Insect Communities
Landscape Ecology, 2019Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Nico Blüthgen, Melanie N. Chisté, Nadja K. Simons, Juliane Steckel, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Catrin Westphal, Loïc Pellissier, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Context Insect herbivores comprise the majority of macroinvertebrate Communities of temperate grasslands and act as drivers for important ecosystem functions. Landscape- and local-level land use may alter species pools and dispersal possibilities and act as local environmental filters, affecting Insect trait composition. Objectives While environmental filtering by local land use has repeatedly been shown to affect Insect community assembly, less is known about the role of land-use intensity at the landscape level. We studied the relative importance of both local- and landscape-level land use in shaping the functional diversity and composition as well as the functional β-diversity among herbivore Communities. Methods We used abundance data of three main herbivorous Insect groups from grasslands across three regions in Germany and combined it with data on nine morphometric traits related to functions such as dispersal abilities to analyse the effects of different land-use components on community assembly. Results Land use at both the local and landscape level affected the functional composition of Insect Communities. Some trait combinations were particularly sensitive to changes in management intensity, whereas others reacted strongly to the availability of suitable habitats in the surrounding area. Simultaneously, functional diversity was not affected by land use at either spatial level. However, increasing local management intensity reduced functional β-diversity. Conclusions We conclude that both local- and landscape-level land use shape the functional composition of Insect Communities. Our results highlight the importance of considering land use across multiple spatial scales to understand its effects on the functional integrity of herbivore Communities in temperate grasslands.
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cross scale effects of land use on the functional composition of herbivorous Insect Communities
Landscape Ecology, 2019Co-Authors: Felix Neff, Nico Blüthgen, Melanie N. Chisté, Nadja K. Simons, Juliane Steckel, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Catrin Westphal, Loïc Pellissier, Martin M. GossnerAbstract:Insect herbivores comprise the majority of macroinvertebrate Communities of temperate grasslands and act as drivers for important ecosystem functions. Landscape- and local-level land use may alter species pools and dispersal possibilities and act as local environmental filters, affecting Insect trait composition. While environmental filtering by local land use has repeatedly been shown to affect Insect community assembly, less is known about the role of land-use intensity at the landscape level. We studied the relative importance of both local- and landscape-level land use in shaping the functional diversity and composition as well as the functional β-diversity among herbivore Communities. We used abundance data of three main herbivorous Insect groups from grasslands across three regions in Germany and combined it with data on nine morphometric traits related to functions such as dispersal abilities to analyse the effects of different land-use components on community assembly. Land use at both the local and landscape level affected the functional composition of Insect Communities. Some trait combinations were particularly sensitive to changes in management intensity, whereas others reacted strongly to the availability of suitable habitats in the surrounding area. Simultaneously, functional diversity was not affected by land use at either spatial level. However, increasing local management intensity reduced functional β-diversity. We conclude that both local- and landscape-level land use shape the functional composition of Insect Communities. Our results highlight the importance of considering land use across multiple spatial scales to understand its effects on the functional integrity of herbivore Communities in temperate grasslands.
Richard L Lindroth - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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linking plant genes to Insect Communities identifying the genetic bases of plant traits and community composition
Molecular Ecology, 2019Co-Authors: Hilary L Barker, Jennifer F Riehl, Carolina Bernhardsson, Kennedy F Rubertnason, Liza M Holeski, Par K Ingvarsson, Richard L LindrothAbstract:Community genetics aims to understand the effects of intraspecific genetic variation on community composition and diversity, thereby connecting community ecology with evolutionary biology. Thus far, research has shown that plant genetics can underlie variation in the composition of associated Communities (e.g., Insects, lichen and endophytes), and those Communities can therefore be considered as extended phenotypes. This work, however, has been conducted primarily at the plant genotype level and has not identified the key underlying genes. To address this gap, we used genome-wide association mapping with a population of 445 aspen (Populus tremuloides) genets to identify the genes governing variation in plant traits (defence chemistry, bud phenology, leaf morphology, growth) and Insect community composition. We found 49 significant SNP associations in 13 Populus genes that are correlated with chemical defence compounds and Insect community traits. Most notably, we identified an early nodulin-like protein that was associated with Insect community diversity and the abundance of interacting foundation species (ants and aphids). These findings support the concept that particular plant traits are the mechanistic link between plant genes and the composition of associated Insect Communities. In putting the "genes" into "genes to ecosystems ecology", this work enhances understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms that underlie plant-Insect associations and the consequences thereof for the structure of ecological Communities.
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genotypic variation in plant traits shapes herbivorous Insect and ant Communities on a foundation tree species
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Hilary L Barker, Liza M Holeski, Richard L LindrothAbstract:Community genetics aims to understand the effects of intraspecific genetic variation on community composition and diversity, thereby connecting community ecology with evolutionary biology. Multiple studies have shown that different plant genotypes harbor different Communities of associated organisms, such as Insects. Yet, the mechanistic links that tie Insect community composition to plant genetics are still not well understood. To shed light on these relationships, we explored variation in both plant traits (e.g., growth, phenology, defense) and herbivorous Insect and ant Communities on 328 replicated aspen (Populus tremuloides) genets grown in a common garden. We measured traits and visually surveyed Insect Communities annually in 2014 and 2015. We found that Insect Communities overall exhibited low heritability and were shaped primarily by relationships among key Insects (i.e., aphids, ants, and free-feeders). Several tree traits affected Insect Communities and the presence/absence of species and functional groups. Of these traits, tree size and foliar phenology were the most important. Larger trees had denser (i.e., number of Insects per unit tree size) and more diverse Insect Communities, while timing of bud break and bud set differentially influenced particular species and Insect groups, especially leaf modifying Insects. These findings will inform future research directed toward identification of plant genes and genetic regions that underlie the structure of associated Insect Communities.
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climate change and temporal and spatial mismatches in Insect Communities
Climate Change#R##N#Observed Impacts on Planet Earth, 2009Co-Authors: Shannon L. Pelini, Kirsten M Prior, Derrick Parker, Jason D K Dzurisin, Richard L Lindroth, Jessica J HellmannAbstract:Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates that the direction and magnitude of the effects of climate change on Insect species are multifaceted. Warming from climate change will alter Insect development time, voltinism, foraging behavior, emergence time, and survivorship. These changes, which alter population size and distribution, will affect the temporal and spatial dynamics of Insect Communities. Many Insects provide important ecosystem services or affect human activities and the effects of climate change could alter these services or exacerbate these effects. Changes are occurring both spatially and temporally, and these changes result directly from changing climate and indirectly through interactions with species in lower (i.e. plants) and upper (i.e. predators) trophic levels. In addition, trophic cascades can occur such that changes in interactions between herbivores and their host plants affect higher trophic levels, and changes between predators and herbivorous prey can affect primary producers. Further, species traits such as dispersal ability, trophic level and degree of specialization are potentially good predictors of the effects of climate change. The prediction is that future Communities will be dominated by mobile generalists, species with fast generation times, those that have high dispersal capabilities or those that have been dispersed around the globe by humans. Many of these species are already pests, and new species could become pests on new host plants or in new locations under climate change. These opportunists may affect important human activities, such as forestry and agriculture, with extensions into the role of forests as carbon sinks. Insects that provide important ecosystems services such as pollination or biological control could not fare as well.