Unveiling Arthropod Responses to Climate Change: A Functional Trait Analysis in Intensive Pastures
by
, , and
Sophie Wallon
1,*
,
François Rigal
1,2,
Catarina D. Melo
1,3,
Rui B. Elias
1
and
Paulo A. V. Borges
1,4
1
CE3C—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, Pico da Urze, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
2
Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico Chimie Pour L’environnement et les Materiaux UMR 5254, Comité National de la Recherche Scientifque—University de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour—E2S UPPA, 64053 Pau, France
3
CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology, Universidade de Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
4
IUCN SSC Atlantic Islands Invertebrate Specialist Group, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2024, 15(9), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15090677
Submission received: 24 July 2024
/
Revised: 30 August 2024
/
Accepted: 3 September 2024
/
Published: 7 September 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Ecology, Diversity and Conservation)
Simple Summary
Climate change is profoundly affecting ecosystem dynamics, with grassland arthropods serving as critical indicators. This in situ study examines the responses of arthropod communities to rising temperatures in intensively managed pastures on the volcanic island of Terceira (Azores, Portugal), employing a functional trait approach. Along an elevation gradient, Open Top Chambers (OTCs) were used to simulate increased temperatures, allowing the analysis of soil-dwelling arthropods over winter and summer seasons. Our results underscore the nuanced responses of arthropods to temperature variations across elevations and treatments within intensive pastures, revealing significant changes in functional community composition. This study emphasizes the importance of considering functional traits when assessing patterns of diversity in complex ecological communities involving multiple trophic levels.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of elevated temperatures on arthropod communities in intensively managed pastures on the volcanic island of Terceira, Azores (Portugal), using a functional trait approach. Open Top Chambers (OTCs) were employed to simulate increased temperatures, and the functional traits of ground dwelling arthropods were analyzed along a small elevation gradient (180–400 m) during winter and summer. Key findings include lower abundances of herbivores, coprophagous organisms, detritivores, and fungivores at high elevations in summer, with predators showing a peak at middle elevations. Larger-bodied arthropods were more prevalent at higher elevations during winter, while beetles exhibited distinct ecological traits, with larger species peaking at middle elevations. The OTCs significantly affected the arthropod communities, increasing the abundance of herbivores, predators, coprophagous organisms, and fungivores during winter by alleviating environmental stressors. Notably, iridescent beetles decreased with elevation and were more common inside OTCs at lower elevations, suggesting a thermoregulatory advantage. The study underscores the importance of considering functional traits in assessing the impacts of climate change on arthropod communities and highlights the complex, species-specific nature of their responses to environmental changes.
