DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ecology of British Upland Peatlands: Climate Change, Drainage, Keystone Insects and Breeding Birds

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ecology of British Upland Peatlands: Climate Change, Drainage, Keystone Insects and Breeding Birds The ecology of British upland peatlands: climate change, drainage, keystone insects and breeding birds Matthew John Carroll PhD University of York Department of Biology September 2012 Abstract Northern peatlands provide important ecosystem services and support species adapted to cold, wet conditions. However, drainage and climate change could cause peatlands to become drier, threatening ecosystem functions and biodiversity. British blanket bogs occur towards the southern extent of northern peatlands and have been extensively drained, so present an excellent opportunity to examine climate change and drainage impacts. Craneflies (Diptera: Tipulidae) are a major component of upland peatland invertebrate communities and provide a key food resource to breeding birds. However, larvae are highly susceptible to desiccation, so environmental changes that dry peat surfaces could harm cranefly populations and, in turn, bird populations. This thesis aims to examine effects of soil moisture, drainage and climate change on craneflies, and the relationship between craneflies and birds. A large-scale field experiment showed that adult cranefly abundance increased with soil moisture. Areas with blocked drainage ditches showed significantly higher soil moisture and cranefly abundance than areas with active drainage. A model of monthly peatland water tables driven by simple climate data was developed. The model accurately predicted water table position, and predicted up to two thirds of water table variation over time. Performance declined when modelling drained sites. The water table model was combined with empirical relationships to model cranefly abundance under climate change. Falling summer water tables were projected to drive cranefly population declines. Drain blocking would increase abundance and slow declines, thus aiding population persistence. Finally, modelled cranefly abundance was found to be a significant predictor of observed Golden Plover abundance, extinctions and colonisations on a large spatial scale. Across multiple species, variation explained by cranefly abundance was positively correlated with the proportion of craneflies in the diet. Managing peatlands to maintain and increase cranefly abundance could be an important part of conserving upland bird populations. 2 Table of contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................2 Table of contents....................................................................................................................3 List of figures .........................................................................................................................7 List of tables.........................................................................................................................10 Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................12 Declaration ...........................................................................................................................14 Chapter 1: General Introduction......................................................................................15 1.1 Rationale ....................................................................................................................15 1.2 Climate change, biodiversity and conservation .........................................................17 1.3 Peatlands ....................................................................................................................20 1.4 Peatland hydrology.....................................................................................................24 1.5 The British uplands ....................................................................................................28 1.6 Craneflies ...................................................................................................................32 1.7 Thesis overview .........................................................................................................35 Chapter 2: Maintaining northern peatland ecosystems in a changing climate: effects of soil moisture, drainage and drain blocking on craneflies ..........................................39 2.1 Abstract ......................................................................................................................39 2.2 Introduction................................................................................................................40 2.3 Materials and Methods...............................................................................................42 2.3.1 Study sites ...........................................................................................................42 2.3.2 Sampling procedure ............................................................................................44 2.3.3 Analysis...............................................................................................................46 2.4 Results........................................................................................................................47 2.4.1 Relationship between abundance and moisture ..................................................47 2.4.2 Effects of drains: soil moisture ...........................................................................49 2.4.3 Effects of drains: cranefly abundance.................................................................52 2.5 Discussion ..................................................................................................................54 2.5.1 Relationship between abundance and moisture ..................................................54 2.5.2 Effects of drainage ditches and drain blocking...................................................55 2.5.3 Implications and conclusions..............................................................................55 2.6 Acknowledgements....................................................................................................57 3 Chapter 3: Modelling water tables in British blanket peatlands...................................58 3.1 Abstract ......................................................................................................................58 3.2 Introduction................................................................................................................59 3.2.1 Peatland hydrology and climate change..............................................................59 3.2.2 Modelling peatland behaviour.............................................................................60 3.3 Methods......................................................................................................................61 3.3.1 The MILLENNIA peat cohort model background..............................................61 3.3.2 The dynamic water table model ..........................................................................62 3.3.3 Monthly runoff equations....................................................................................64 3.3.4 Model parameterisation and sensitivity ..............................................................66 3.3.5 Evaluating model performance ...........................................................................67 3.4 Results........................................................................................................................70 3.4.1 Results from an intact peatland with automatic dipwell data .............................70 3.4.2 Results from a peatland with blocked drains and automatic dipwell data ..........73 3.4.3 Results from a peatland with blocked drains and manual dipwell data ..............74 3.4.4 Results from a peatland with intact, blocked and drained areas and automatic dipwell data ..................................................................................................................75 3.5 Discussion ..................................................................................................................77 3.5.1 Model fitting .......................................................................................................77 3.5.2 Model performance .............................................................................................78 3.5.3 Drainage effects ..................................................................................................80 3.5.4 Spatial and temporal variation ............................................................................80 3.5.5 Implications and conclusions..............................................................................81 3.6 Acknowledgements....................................................................................................82 Chapter 4: Modelling the abundance of upland craneflies under climate change ......83 4.1 Abstract ......................................................................................................................83 4.2 Introduction................................................................................................................84 4.2.1 Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate...................................................84 4.2.2 Upland biodiversity under climate change..........................................................85 4.3 Methods......................................................................................................................87
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 Reproductive Efficiency of Entomopathogenic Nematodes As Scavengers. Are They Able to 1 Fight for Insect's Cadavers?
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Sapientia 1 Reproductive efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes as scavengers. Are they able to 2 fight for insect’s cadavers? 3 4 Rubén Blanco-Péreza,b, Francisco Bueno-Palleroa,b, Luis Netob, Raquel Campos-Herreraa,b,* 5 6 a MeditBio, Centre for Mediterranean Bioresources and Food, Universidade do Algarve, Campus 7 de Gambelas, 8005, Faro (Portugal) 8 b Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005, Faro (Portugal) 9 10 *Corresponding author 11 Email: [email protected] 12 1 13 Abstract 14 15 Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their bacterial partners are well-studied insect 16 pathogens, and their persistence in soils is one of the key parameters for successful use as 17 biological control agents in agroecosystems. Free-living bacteriophagous nematodes (FLBNs) in 18 the genus Oscheius, often found in soils, can interfere in EPN reproduction when exposed to live 19 insect larvae. Both groups of nematodes can act as facultative scavengers as a survival strategy. 20 Our hypothesis was that EPNs will reproduce in insect cadavers under FLBN presence, but their 21 reproductive capacity will be severely limited when competing with other scavengers for the same 22 niche. We explored the outcome of EPN - Oscheius interaction by using freeze-killed larvae of 23 Galleria mellonella. The differential reproduction ability of two EPN species (Steinernema 24 kraussei and Heterorhabditis megidis), single applied or combined with two FLBNs (Oscheius 25 onirici or Oscheius tipulae), was evaluated under two different infective juvenile (IJ) pressure: 26 low (3 IJs/host) and high (20 IJs/host).
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Solutions for Chafer Grub and Leatherjacket Control in Turf Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets Cause Extensive Damage by Feeding on Plant Roots in Turf
    Biological solutions for Chafer Grub and Leatherjacket control in turf Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets cause extensive damage by feeding on plant roots in turf. The secondary damage is just as desctructive when birds, badgers, foxes, moles and other small mammals rip up the already weakened turf in search of their protein rich larvae. Tell-tale signs of infestation include birds pecking at the grass, poor grass growth, the appearance of yellow patches and the ability to pull the turf up because there is little or no root growth. Beneficial nematodes are effective biological control agents that are safe to users and the environment. Key points Most turf specialists use chemical methods to control pest problems, however insects are known for their ability to develop resistance to synthetic chemicals and Nemasys G contains the insect parasitic some pesticides may be non-specific and kill beneficial nematode Heterohabditis bacteriophora for insects. That, added to the increasing legislation the control of Chafer Grubs and withdrawing of existing chemical controls, has increased the use of natural biological control agents Nemasys J contains Steinernema feltiae for as part of an integrated pest management programme the control of Leatherjackets for controlling pest populations. Kills larvae within 10–14 days Nemasys G (controls Chafer Grubs) and Nemasys J (controls Leatherjackets) contain nematodes that provide Safe for turf and wildlife the perfect biological control by entering the larvae, One tray contains 250 million nematodes which stops them feeding within three days of infection. and treats 500m2 The larvae then die within 10-14 days. The nematodes complete their life cycle within the larvae, then enter Follow application instructions and timings the soil seeking more hosts, so the pest control for optimum results continues naturally.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal: Development of an Identification Guide to Crane Fly (Insecta: Diptera: Tipulidae) Pests of Turfgrass in the Eastern U.S
    Proposal: Development of an Identification Guide to Crane Fly (Insecta: Diptera: Tipulidae) Pests of Turfgrass in the Eastern U.S. Need for project: An ease of use identification guide is needed at this time by extension agents, turf grass care specialists and homeowners to separate the species of crane flies likely to be found associated with turf grasses, and focusing on the species implicated in causing turf grass damage. Background: The subgenus Tipula (Tipula) is an Old World group with two very similar introduced species in North America, the European Crane Fly, Tipula (T.) paludosa Meigen and the species T. (T.) oleracea Linnaeus, sometimes called the Common Crane Fly (Oosterbroek, 2005). Tipula paludosa is better known in North America, long established in the Pacific Northwest (Jackson and Campbell, 1975) and Canadian Maritimes provinces (Alexander, 1962), more recently in California (Umble and Rao, 2004; S. Gaimari, CDFA, pers. comm.) and is a leading insect pest of turf grass and pastures in these area. More recently, T. oleracea, has been discovered in the Pacific Northwest and California at a wide variety of localities and is considered established (Umble and Rao, 2004; S. Gaimari, CDFA, pers. comm.); it may have resided in these areas undetected for years and been mistaken for paludosa. It attacks a broad range of crops and is considered a major pest in Europe (Anonymous, 1967; Pesho et al. 1981). Tipula paludosa was discovered in Ontario in the late 1990’s at a wide variety of localities in southern Ontario, including Niagara Falls, and associated with turf damage (Pam Charbonneau, pers.
    [Show full text]
  • Insects Carolina Mantis Mayfly
    I l l i n o i s Insects Carolina mantis mayfly elephant stag beetle widow skimmer ichneumon wasp click beetle black locust borer birdwing grasshopper large milkweed bug (adults and nymphs) mantisfly walking stick lady beetle stink bug crane fly stonefly (nymph) horse fly wheel bug bot fly prairie cicada leafhopper robber fly katydid alderfly syrphid fly Order Ephemeroptera mayfly Species List Order Coleoptera black locust borer click beetle This poster was made possible by: nsects and their relatives (arthropods) make up nearly 80 percent of the known animal species. Scientists elephant stag beetle lady beetle Illinois Department of Natural Resources Order Plecoptera stonefly currently estimate that 5 to 15 million species of insects exist. In contrast, 5,000 species of mammals are Order Orthoptera birdwing grasshopper Carolina mantis Division of Education found on our planet. In Illinois, we have more than 20,000 species of insects, and many more likely katydid Illinois Natural History Survey I Order Hemiptera large milkweed bug Illinois State Museum occur, as yet undetected in our state! The scientific study of insects is known as entomology. Entomologists stink bug wheel bug Order Diptera bot fly study insects for many reasons, including their incredible number of species and their wide variety of sizes, crane fly horse fly colors, shapes, and lifestyles. The 24 species depicted on this poster were selected by Michael R. Jeffords of robber fly syrphid fly Order Homoptera leafhopper the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Natural History Survey, to represent the variety of prairie cicada Order Phasmida walking stick insects occurring in our state.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity and Abundance of Pest Insects Associated with Solanum Tuberosum L
    American Journal of Entomology 2021; 5(3): 51-69 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/aje doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20210503.13 ISSN: 2640-0529 (Print); ISSN: 2640-0537 (Online) Diversity and Abundance of Pest Insects Associated with Solanum tuberosum L. 1753 (Solanaceae) in Balessing (West-Cameroon) Babell Ngamaleu-Siewe, Boris Fouelifack-Nintidem, Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom-Fondjo, Basile Moumite Mohamed, Junior Tsekane Sedick, Edith Laure Kenne, Biawa-Miric Kagmegni, * Patrick Steve Tuekam Kowa, Romaine Magloire Fantio, Abdel Kayoum Yomon, Martin Kenne Department of the Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon Email address: *Corresponding author To cite this article: Babell Ngamaleu-Siewe, Boris Fouelifack-Nintidem, Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom-Fondjo, Basile Moumite Mohamed, Junior Tsekane Sedick, Edith Laure Kenne, Biawa-Miric Kagmegni, Patrick Steve Tuekam Kowa, Romaine Magloire Fantio, Abdel Kayoum Yomon, Martin Kenne. Diversity and Abundance of Pest Insects Associated with Solanum tuberosum L. 1753 (Solanaceae) in Balessing (West-Cameroon). American Journal of Entomology . Vol. 5, No. 3, 2021, pp. 51-69. doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20210503.13 Received : July 14, 2021; Accepted : August 3, 2021; Published : August 11, 2021 Abstract: Solanum tuberosum L. 1753 (Solanaceae) is widely cultivated for its therapeutic and nutritional qualities. In Cameroon, the production is insufficient to meet the demand in the cities and there is no published data on the diversity of associated pest insects. Ecological surveys were conducted from July to September 2020 in 16 plots of five development stages in Balessing (West- Cameroon). Insects active on the plants were captured and identified and the community structure was characterized.
    [Show full text]
  • Biosecurity Risk Assessment
    An Invasive Risk Assessment Framework for New Animal and Plant-based Production Industries RIRDC Publication No. 11/141 RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia An Invasive Risk Assessment Framework for New Animal and Plant-based Production Industries by Dr Robert C Keogh February 2012 RIRDC Publication No. 11/141 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-007347 © 2012 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-320-8 ISSN 1440-6845 An Invasive Risk Assessment Framework for New Animal and Plant-based Production Industries Publication No. 11/141 Project No. PRJ-007347 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • A Seasonal Guide to New York City's Invertebrates
    CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION A Seasonal Guide to New York City’s Invertebrates Elizabeth A. Johnson with illustrations by Patricia J. Wynne CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION A Seasonal Guide to New York City’s Invertebrates Elizabeth A. Johnson with illustrations by Patricia J. Wynne Ellen V. Futter, President Lewis W. Bernard, Chairman, Board of Trustees Michael J. Novacek, Senior Vice-President and Provost of Science TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.................................................................................2-3 Rules for Exploring When to Look Where to Look Spring.........................................................................................4-11 Summer ...................................................................................12-19 Fall ............................................................................................20-27 Winter ......................................................................................28-35 What You Can Do to Protect Invertebrates.............................36 Learn More About Invertebrates..............................................37 Map of Places Mentioned in the Text ......................................38 Thanks to all those naturalists who contributed information and to our many helpful reviewers: John Ascher, Allen Barlow, James Carpenter, Kefyn Catley, Rick Cech, Mickey Maxwell Cohen, Robert Daniels, Mike Feller, Steven Glenn, David Grimaldi, Jay Holmes, Michael May, E.J. McAdams, Timothy McCabe, Bonnie McGuire, Ellen Pehek, Don
    [Show full text]
  • Minnesota's Top 124 Terrestrial Invasive Plants and Pests
    Photo by RichardhdWebbWebb 0LQQHVRWD V7RS 7HUUHVWULDO,QYDVLYH 3ODQWVDQG3HVWV 3ULRULWLHVIRU5HVHDUFK Sciencebased solutions to protect Minnesota’s prairies, forests, wetlands, and agricultural resources Contents I. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 II. Prioritization Panel members ....................................................................................................... 4 III. Seventeen criteria, and their relative importance, to assess the threat a terrestrial invasive species poses to Minnesota ...................................................................................................................... 5 IV. Prioritized list of terrestrial invasive insects ................................................................................. 6 V. Prioritized list of terrestrial invasive plant pathogens .................................................................. 7 VI. Prioritized list of plants (weeds) ................................................................................................... 8 VII. Terrestrial invasive insects (alphabetically by common name): criteria ratings to determine threat to Minnesota. .................................................................................................................................... 9 VIII. Terrestrial invasive pathogens (alphabetically by disease among bacteria, fungi, nematodes, oomycetes, parasitic plants, and viruses): criteria ratings
    [Show full text]
  • European Crane
    x x x x x x xxxxx xx xx xxxxx xxxxx x x x x x x x x x x x x xxx x x xxx x x xxxx A Washington Toxics Coalition Fact Sheet xxxx xxxx AlternativesAlternatives xxxxx xx x x AlternativesAlternatives x x xxx x x xx xxxxx x xxx xxx x xx x xxxx x x x x x x xxxxx xx xx xxxxx xxxxx x x x x x x x x x x x x xxx x x xxx x x xxxx European Crane Fly: Lawn Pest or Bird Food? by Philip Dickey t is often said that the European crane fly is the only serious insect pest of lawns in the Maritime Northwest. That’s great news! It means that insecticide I treatments should not be needed for any other insects on home lawns in our region. More good news is that insecticide treatments are rarely needed for crane flies either. The bad news is that many people don’t know about the good news and so they treat the lawn anyway. According to one estimate (http://whatcom.wsu.edu/cranefly/ CFquickfacts.htm), homeowners in the Puget Sound area spent about $13 million to buy pesticides for crane fly control in 1999. As we will see, most of them could have saved their money. The state of knowledge about crane flies has increased over time, and the latest information confirms the idea that crane flies are rarely numerous enough to cause damage meriting insecticide treatment. In recent years crane flies are becoming even less common than in the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Research/Investigación Addition of a New Insect Parasitic Nematode, Oscheius Tipulae, to Iranian Fauna
    RESEARCH/INVESTIGACIÓN ADDITION OF A NEW INSECT PARASITIC NEMATODE, OSCHEIUS TIPULAE, TO IRANIAN FAUNA J. Karimi1*, N. Rezaei1, and E. Shokoohi2 1Biocontrol and Insect Pathology Lab., Department of Plant Protection, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, PO Box 91775-1163, Mashhad, Iran; 2Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom, North West University, South Africa; *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Karimi, J., N. Rezaei, and E. Shokoohi. 2018. Addition of a new insect parasitic nematode, Oscheius tipulae, to Iranian fauna. Nematropica 48:00-00. On behalf of an ongoing project on diversity of insect pathogenic and insect parasitic nematodes of Iran, a new species was collected and characterized. This species was collected in soil from the Mashhad, Arak, and Mahalat regions of Iran through 2011-2012 using Galleria larvae baits. Based on morphologic and morphometric traits as well as SEM images, the species tentatively has been identified as Oscheius tipulae. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and 18S rDNA genes confirmed the species delimitation. This is the first record of this species from Iran. Key words: 18S rDNA, insect parasitic nematode, Iran, ITS, Oscheius tipulae, SEM RESUMEN Karimi, J., N. Rezaei, y E. Shokoohi. 2018. Adición de un nuevo nematodo parásito de insectos, Oscheius tipulae, a la fauna Irán. Nematropica 48:00-00. En nombre de un proyecto en curso sobre diversidad de patógenos de insectos y nematodos parásitos de insectos de Irán, se recolectó y caracterizó una nueva especie. Esta especie fue recolectada en suelo de las regiones de Mashhad, Arak y Mahalat de Irán durante el período 2011-2012 utilizando cebos Galleria.
    [Show full text]
  • Habitat Management for Bats a Guide for Land Managers, Land Owners and Their Advisors
    Habitat management for bats A guide for land managers, land owners and their advisors Habitat management for bats Cover cartoon by Neil Bennett Other cartoons by Neil Bennett and illustrations by Barry Larking © JNCC 2001 Habitat management for bats A guide for land managers, land owners and their advisors Abigail C Entwistle, Stephen Harris, Anthony M Hutson, Paul A Racey, Allyson Walsh, Stephen D Gibson, Ian Hepburn and Jacklyn Johnston Illustrations by Barry Larking, cartoons by Neil Bennett Joint Nature Conservation Committee Monkstone House City Road Peterborough PE1 1JY UK ISBN 1 86107 528 6 © JNCC 2001 Contents Acknowledgements 6 1 Introduction 7 Key threats to foraging bats 7 Why do bats need our help? 7 Bat biology 9 2 Managing habitats for bats 11 Key habitats for bats 11 Freshwater 15 Woodland 17 Grassland 19 Linear 20 Other habitats 21 Additional features valuable to foraging bats 23 Management decision tree 24 3 Habitat management for individual bat species 25 Greater horseshoe bat 26 Lesser horseshoe bat 27 Daubenton’s bat 28 Brandt’s bat 29 Whiskered bat 30 Natterer’s bat 31 Bechstein’s bat 32 Pipistrelle 33 Nathusius’ pipistrelle 34 Serotine 35 Noctule 36 Leisler’s bat 37 Barbastelle 38 Brown long-eared bat 39 Grey long-eared bat 40 4 References 41 5 Further reading 42 Annexes I Legislation protecting bats 43 II Financial support for habitat management 45 III Key contacts 46 5 Acknowledgements JNCC would like to thank all those who provided Phil Richardson. Tony Mitchell-Jones and Peter information about the habitat use of individual Spencer of English Nature and Jessa Battersby of species including Gareth Jones, Laurent Duvergé JNCC provided invaluable comments on the (of the Vincent Wildlife Trust), Roger Ransome, manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • Durham E-Theses
    Durham E-Theses Biological studies on the meadow pipit (anthus pratensis) and moorland tipulidae; members of a food chain Coulson, John Cameron How to cite: Coulson, John Cameron (1956) Biological studies on the meadow pipit (anthus pratensis) and moorland tipulidae; members of a food chain, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/8840/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Biological studies on the Meadow Pipit (^thus mS^S^^^ and moorland fipuiidae (Dipt.); members of a rooa - : J^y John Cameron Coulson. Observations were made on 65 species of .!gipulidae found on the Moor itouse Nature Conservancy Reserve, Westmorland, between 1953 and 1956. The larval habitats were recorded and a stu<^ was made of the abundance and seasonal distribution of adults. Particular attention was paid to the biology of two common species of Tipulidae.
    [Show full text]