Arthropods as ecological indicators of sustainability in Canadian forests

Abstract

The high functional and unmatched biological diversity represented by arthropods demand that these organisms be considered as ecological indicators of sustainable forest management. Successful use of arthropods in this capacity will require a systematic and rigorous process, including selection of potential indicators, definition of relationships between indicators and disturbance variables, optimization of the useful range of the indicator and application of the indicator(s) in monitoring. In Canada, the single greatest impediment to the use of arthropods as ecological indicators is the importance of accurate species-level identification and the difficulty achieving it. Consequently, most work has focused on a few relatively well-known groups (e.g., epigaeic carabid and staphylinid beetles and spiders, saproxylic beetles, butterflies and larger night flying moths). Many recent studies have provided baseline data about the range of natural variation and have begun to quantify arthropod responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the context of preplanned experiments or through various retrospective approaches. Carabid beetles are the best-studied group and sufficient sets of data now exist to permit a meta-analysis of the robustness of carabids as indicators across multiple spatial scales and in terms of how well they represent broader ecological responses to disturbances. There is good potential to incorporate arthropod indicators into monitoring programs in Canada, but it is necessary to first complete a scientifically credible selection process for specific ecological indicators. Future research should focus on completing the process for taxa under current study as this develops the best presently understood opportunities for using arthropod indicators in assessing various aspects of environmental change. Researchers should also consider other means of monitoring arthropod biodiversity by the use of surrogate ecological parameters such as ecological land classification and habitat classification systems.Key words: arthropods, ecological indicators, monitoring, biodiversity, taxonomy, sustainability RÉSUMÉ La diversité biologique élevée des arthropodes, tant au niveau fonctionnelle qu'en nombre d'espèces existantes, font de ceux-ci des candidats intéressants d'indicateurs écologiques de gestion durable des forêts. L'utilisation efficace des arthropodes à cette fin nécessitera un processus systématique et rigoureux incluant la sélection d'indicateurs potentiels, la définition de relations claires entre les indicateurs et les différents types de perturbations, l'optimisation de leur gamme d'utilité et de leurs applications dans les suivis écologiques. La difficulté que pose l'identification au niveau de l'espèce et l'importance de ce procédé est, pour le Canada, l'empêchement primaire à l'utilisation des arthropodes comme indicateurs écologiques. Il en découle que la majorité des études réalisées étaient concentrées sur les quelques groupes relativement bien connus (e.g. les carabidés épigés, ...

Activity of flying beetles (Coleoptera) at two heights in canopy gaps and intact forests in a hardwood forest in Quebec

“…(Aceraceae) (hereinafter beech-maple)) forests in parts of eastern Canada as a result of urban and agricultural encroachment, pollution, and tree diseases (Krasny and Whitmore 1992;Darveau et al 1997) emphasizes the importance of documenting forest diversity, including the canopy. Beetles (Coleoptera) are a model study taxon, given their high diversity and key roles in forest ecosystems (Langor and Spence 2006).…”

Arthropod diversity in pure oak forests of coppice origin in northern Thrace (Turkey)

“…Some arthropods are often used as bioindicators (King et al 1998, Langor & Spence 2006, Maleque et al 2009). For example, Formicidae have been used as bioindicators of ecological degradation, concomitant with decreasing litter and canopy (King et al 1998), such as in our study.…”

“…However, the intensive use of the forest led to its long-term degradation. Therefore, Turkish General Directorate of Forestry abandoned such practice in the last decade, and now promotes conversion to high forest and natural regeneration from seeds.Arthropods are often used as ecological indicators of ecosystem integrity (King et al 1998, Tscharntke et al 1998, Rainio & Niemelä 2003, Langor & Spence 2006, Maleque et al 2009). They play essential roles in ecosystems such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and they serve as predators of pests and prey for valued vertebrates (Engelmann 1961, van Straalen 1998.…”

Effect of Formica aserva Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on ground dwelling arthropods in central British Columbia.

“…Thus invertebrates, particularly insects and other arthropods, are often discussed as biological indicators (Rainio & Niemela, 2003;Summerville et al, 2004;Maleque et al, 2006;Scott et al, 2006). Insects are abundant, ubiquitous, ecologically diverse, and involved in many ecosystem processes (Rosenberg et al, 1986); populations of these organisms can also usually be sampled with ease and relatively little expense (Langor & Spence, 2006). Carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae) are two groups that have received attention as potential indicator taxa (Pearce & Venier, 2006).…”

“…The scale, prevalence, and potential ecological impacts of such disturbances have contributed to a high level of interest in development and use of biological indicators, which can aid in monitoring, detecting, or assessing changes in the environment (Langor & Spence, 2006;Rainio & Niemela, 2003). There are many definitions that describe the functions or characteristics of biological indicators.…”