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DEMO Home > Research > Invertebrates > Responses of Litter-Dwelling Arthropods
Research
Invertebrates: Responses of Litter-Dwelling Arthropods to Varying Levels and Patterns of Green-Tree Retention
Tim D. Schowalter
Department of Entomology
404 Life Sciences Bldg.
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 578-1634
tschowalter@agcenter.lsu.edu
Juraj Halaj
Cascadien, Inc.
1903 NW Lantana Drive
Corvallis, OR 97330-1016
jhalaj@cascadien.com
http://www.cascadien.com
A 3-year study is currently underway to address potential effects of the level and pattern of green-tree retention on population densities of litter-dwelling arthropods. The sensitivity of epigeal arthropods to changes in canopy cover suggests that manipulated patterns of green-tree retention in the DEMO study should significantly impact the abundance and distribution of these organisms. We hypothesize that (1) 1-ha aggregates of intact forest may not be sufficient to maintain viable populations of forest-interior species and (2) the abundance of sensitive species should reflect the extent of partial canopy cover (15-percent vs. 40-percent retention). In addition, the design of this study will allow us to assess the effect of forest edge on the composition and population dynamics of litter-dwelling arthropods.
This study involves extensive seasonal sampling of litter arthropods by using a series of pitfall traps located near grid points in five treatments (control, 15-percent aggregate, 15-percent dispersed, 40-percent aggregate and 40-percent dispersed) across five of the DEMO blocks. Within the aggregated retention treatments, traps in forest interior, edge and exterior positions will allow us to evaluate arthropod responses across a broad gradient of environmental conditions. Processing of samples from the first field season (2002) is currently underway.
US Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station, Demonstration
of Ecosystem Management Options
Last Modified: Thursday,27March2008 at12:39:11EDT