Arthropod community heterogeneity in a Mid-Atlantic forest highly invaded by alien organisms
Kjar D and Barrows EM. 2004. Arthropod community heterogeneity in a Mid-Atlantic forest highly invaded by alien organisms. Banisteria. 23:26-37
Pitfall traps obtained 11,611 arthropods of 255 species and morphospecies in seven classes, 28 orders, and 72 families at four sites in a low forest in Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Virginia, USA, during 2000 and 2001. The study sites had a total of 41 plant species, ranging from 10 to 33 species per site. Alien plant cover among the four sites ranged from 10-89%. Three alien plant species covered an average of 58% of the study sites. Abundance of arthropods varied significantly in some taxonomic groups below the phylum level. Ants, mites, spiders, and springtails were the more diverse and abundant arthropods captured. Spider and ant species richness was highest in a site with 89% alien plant cover: This site also had the highest abundance of collembolans and alien millipeds. Ant abundance was highest in two sites dominated by Asian bittersweet and Japanese honeysuckle. Ant diversity is a possible indicator for the diversity of the entire arthropod community on the forest floor. Our study suggests that alien invasive plants are altering terrestrial arthropod abundance and diversity in this national park.