Urbanization affects the trophic structure of arboreal arthropod communities |
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Authors: | Fiona J Christie Gerasimos Cassis Dieter F Hochuli |
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Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building (A08), Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia;(2) School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia;(3) School of Science and Engineering, Department of Environmental Management, University of Ballarat, PO Box 663, Ballarat, 3353, Victoria, Australia |
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Abstract: | Urbanization is one of the most significant causes of habitat fragmentation on the planet, resulting in substantial losses
of biodiversity and disruptions to ecological processes. We examined the effects of urbanization on the diversity and abundance
of arboreal invertebrates in a dominant tree species (Angophora costata) in a highly urbanized landscape in Sydney, Australia, identifying the potential ecological consequences of shifts in diversity.
We hypothesized that trophic structure would be influenced by landscape context with a greater richness and abundance of invertebrates
in small remnants and edges. Canopy arthropods were sampled via beating from trees in 15 sites in three landscape contexts;
five large patches of continuous vegetation, five edges of large patches and five small urban remnants. Trees in large patches
supported fewer individuals compared to trees in small urban remnants and edge sites. The composition of assemblages and overall
trophic structure also differed between edges and large patches, with a greater abundance of grazing insects in edges. No
differences were detected between small urban remnants and edges, suggesting that observed differences might be attributed
to an edge effect as opposed to an area effect per se. These changes in trophic structure, revealing a greater abundance of grazing herbivores and a reduced abundance of predators
and parasitoids in edge sites, are consistent with work describing elevated levels of herbivory in edges of remnant vegetation.
Future management of remnant urban vegetation and associated biodiversity requires not only an understanding of how trophic
status influences the extent of responses by arboreal invertebrate communities, but also how these will affect ecosystem functioning. |
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