Little Effect of Climate Change on Insect Abundance at the UWM Field Station

Mentor 1

Peter Dunn

Start Date

10-5-2022 10:00 AM

Description

Changing weather patterns have been gaining more attention in recent years. For example, temperatures have increased, and wind speeds have decreased continent-wide over the last century. Recent studies have also shown that insect populations are declining worldwide. This study examined the hypothesis that insect abundance is affected by climate change. We estimated insect abundance over the last 22 years at the UWM field station in Saukville, Wisconsin. Insect biomass was estimated from a suction trap operated daily during May and June from 2000 to 2021. Weather data were also collected daily from an automated weather station 100 m from the trap. We found that wind speeds are decreasing, and temperatures are increasing in southeastern Wisconsin over the last 22 years. Declining wind speed was correlated with an increase in insect abundance, probably as a consequence of increased trapping efficiency. Increasing temperature was also correlated with an increase in insect abundance. Despite the positive correlation between insect abundance and temperature, there was no long-term change in total biomass of insects over the 22-year study. Overall, weather affects insect abundance, but there is little evidence of long-term effects at the UWM Field station. Nonetheless, insect abundance is influenced by temperature and wind speed, and thus, longer-term climate change will likely affect insect abundance, even in protected areas such as the UWM Field Station.

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May 10th, 10:00 AM

Little Effect of Climate Change on Insect Abundance at the UWM Field Station

Changing weather patterns have been gaining more attention in recent years. For example, temperatures have increased, and wind speeds have decreased continent-wide over the last century. Recent studies have also shown that insect populations are declining worldwide. This study examined the hypothesis that insect abundance is affected by climate change. We estimated insect abundance over the last 22 years at the UWM field station in Saukville, Wisconsin. Insect biomass was estimated from a suction trap operated daily during May and June from 2000 to 2021. Weather data were also collected daily from an automated weather station 100 m from the trap. We found that wind speeds are decreasing, and temperatures are increasing in southeastern Wisconsin over the last 22 years. Declining wind speed was correlated with an increase in insect abundance, probably as a consequence of increased trapping efficiency. Increasing temperature was also correlated with an increase in insect abundance. Despite the positive correlation between insect abundance and temperature, there was no long-term change in total biomass of insects over the 22-year study. Overall, weather affects insect abundance, but there is little evidence of long-term effects at the UWM Field station. Nonetheless, insect abundance is influenced by temperature and wind speed, and thus, longer-term climate change will likely affect insect abundance, even in protected areas such as the UWM Field Station.