Insect populations are declining globally, but the underlying drivers and species-specific responses remain unclear. This study uses ten years of data from 140 German forest sites to show widespread declines across trophic groups. Declines were more pronounced in sites with many non-native trees or high timber harvest. Species-level declines depended on life-history traits, with larger, more abundant, and higher trophic level species declining most, while herbivores increased. Targeted management, including promoting native tree species and reduced harvesting, could mitigate these declines.
Publisher
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
Published On
Apr 01, 2023
Authors
Michael Staab, Martin M. Gossner, Nadja K. Simons, Rafael Achury, Didem Ambarlı, Soyeon Bae, Peter Schall, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Nico Blüthgen
Tags
insect populations
global decline
non-native trees
timber harvest
species responses
life-history traits
management strategies
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