Watershed Clearcutting and Canopy Arthropods

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-8-2015

Abstract

This chapter examines the impact of the Watershed 7 (WS 7) clearcut on canopy arthropods. Given the expected shift in plant types, how would the community of arthropods respond? Would the increase in herbaceous vegetation influence the community of insects on the tree vegetation? Would the regrowth foliage tissue be more tender, perhaps engendering outbreaks of defoliators? And, could those factors most responsible for the development of the insect community be isolated? It is shown that regrowth tree foliage one year after the clearcut had a greater mass of chewing herbivores, sucking herbivores, and omnivores, such as caterpillars, aphids, and ants, respectively, compared to the adjacent control watershed. Predators, such as spiders and predaceous beetles, decreased. Differences for black locust were especially marked, with greater densities seen especially for sucking herbivores and omnivores, particularly ants.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Long-Term Response of a Forest Watershed Ecosystem: Clearcutting in the Southern Appalachians

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