Effect of canopy openness on the pressure of predatory arthropods and birds on epigeic insects

0385085 - ÚVGZ 2013 RIV PL eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Šipoš, Jan - Drozdová, M. - Drozd, P.
Effect of canopy openness on the pressure of predatory arthropods and birds on epigeic insects.
Central European Journal of Biology. Roč. 7, č. 6 (2012), s. 1021-1029. ISSN 1895-104X
Grant CEP: GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0073; GA MŠMT LC06073
Výzkumný záměr: CEZ:AV0Z60870520
Klíčová slova: predation rate * weather conditions * living baits * temperate forest
Kód oboru RIV: EH - Ekologie - společenstva
Impakt faktor: 0.818, rok: 2012

As canopy structure produces spatial heterogeneity of litter microclimatic conditions and thus is a crucial factor affecting ground insects, we hypothesized that low canopy openness has a positive effect on the activity of ground insect predators in forest and non-forest habitats. Blowfly larvae were used as bait along the canopy openness gradient (forest interior, forest edge, base of a solitary tree and meadow) and the attack rate was assessed after 30 min of exposure. Although the predation rate has a varying pattern throughout the year in different habitats, in contrast to previous studies, we observed a significant positive trend in predation rates toward the forest interior. A significant trend in predation rate was not observed in non-forest areas. We found that the trend was strongly influenced by ants as the most active taxon of predators (65%) attacking our baits, whereas ground beetles, the second-most active predators (21%), showed the opposite trend along the canopy openness gradient.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0214477