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Project #1

Bugs and Booze: an analysis of the effects of human activity and urbanization on social wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) community composition in Northeast Ohio parks systems through the use of beer-bait trapping methods

Urbanization associated with high human population density and land development  likely results in greatly altered faunal communities relative to rural systems. Shifts in diversity and reduced abundance are particularly expected for flying insect communities, which play important roles in ecosystem function. To test this idea, we focused on whether or not communities of forest-dwelling flying invertebrates changed in composition and abundance in relation to their proximity to urbanized environments. Flying insects were sampled using fermented bait traps (plastic bottles filled with Heineken™ beer) in five urban and five rural parks located in northeastern Ohio, USA.  Within each park, five traps were placed in forested habitats and five traps were set in trail-adjacent (ecotone) habitats during two three-week sampling periods (summer and fall 2021). Invertebrate samples from the 200 traps (10 parks x 10 traps x 2 sample dates) were collected and brought to the lab for identification to the lowest possible taxonomic level.  Vegetation was also sampled and characterized at each trap site as it is known to influence flying insect communities and is also affected by urbanization. Ultimately, results of this study will shed light on anthropogenic impacts on flying forest invertebrates.

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Project #2

Leaf-litter decomposition along a moisture gradient as a tool to predict changes in ecosystem services due to climate change

Litter decomposition is a vital ecosystem process that recycles nearly all of the net primary production that enters terrestrial ecosystems through plant matter (McNaughton et al. 1989). Leaf litter decomposition rates are reliant on climate, leaf tissue characteristics, and the decomposer community, with tissue characteristics accounting for most of the variability in decay rates (Anderson & Swift 1983, Webster & Benfield 1986, Jonard et al. 2008, Waring 2012, Krishna and Mohan 2017, Lin et al. 2020, Lavelle et al. 1997). Due to decomposition’s reliance on climate, it has been proposed that leaf litter will decompose faster in its home habitat than in any other habitat; because the invertebrates and microbes are adapted to their local conditions. This phenonenon is often refer to known as the home-field advantage (HFA) hypothesis (Gholz et al. 2000). Under this hypothesis, litter mass loss (decomposition rates) should decompose faster in its home habitat. The comparison of decomposition rates show that leaf litter tends to decompose faster in its home habitat. To explore this phenomenon, study locations located within the Geauga Park District in Northeastern Ohio will be utilized in our reciprocal transplant study of the moisture-loving oak species Q. bicolor and Q. palustris and the dry-loving oak species Q. rubra and Q. alba. We will be investigating (1) decomposition of leaf litter from dominant oak species in differing moisture conditions (based upon landscape position), (2) relationship between moisture conditions and leaf chemical composition, (3) the effect of leaf chemistry and moisture on arthropod colonization and decomposition rates, (4) effects of arthropod colonization on decomposition rates, (5) the impact of the home-field advantage on leaf litter decomposition across the moisture gradient. 

Autumn Foliage
Autumn Foliage

Project #3

Home-field advantage: leaf-litter decomposition along an elevational gradient

Litter decomposition is a vital ecosystem process associated with recycling net primary production of plant tissue in terrestrial ecosystems (McNaughton et al. 1989). Leaf litter decomposition rates rely on climate, leaf tissue characteristics, and the decomposer community, with tissue characteristics accounting for most of the variability in decay rates (Anderson & Swift 1983, Webster & Benfield 1986, Jonard et al. 2008, Waring 2012, Krishna and Mohan 2017, Lin et al. 2020, Lavelle et al. 1997). The chemical composition of leaf litter, particularly with respect to polyphenols, directly affects decomposition rate. Polyphenols are highly abundant in nature (Andersen and Markham 2006) and include simple phenols 
(phenolic acids), flavonoids, polymeric tannins, and lignin (Bravo et al. 2000). These compounds are associated with pigmentation, pollination, structural rigidity, and resistance against pests and diseases.  Moreover, plants increase production of polyphenols in response to environmental stress, which is correlated with depressed litter decay rates and microbial biomass (Swift et al. 1979). Further, leaf chemistry is a major determinant of which invertebrate taxa are able to colonize and use leaf substrate. Finally, habitat characteristics also influence decomposition. For example, the home-field advantage hypothesis (HFA) proposes that leaf litter will decompose faster in its home habitat than in any other habitat because microbial and invertebrate decomposer communities have adapted to local conditions. For this study, I plan to integrate these ideas to gain insight into these interactions. Thus, I will investigate:
1.   Leaf litter decomposition of dominant oak species along an elevational gradient.
2.   The relationship between elevational conditions and leaf chemical composition.
3.   Effects of leaf chemistry and soil moisture on arthropod colonization, and ultimately, their effects on decomposition rates.
4.   The impact of home-field advantage on leaf litter decomposition across the elevation gradient.

Site: This study is located in Cerro de la Muerte in the Talamanca mountan range of Costa Rica. At this study site, three species of oaks dominate different elevational gradients. 

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