Arthropod Fallout on Alaskan Snow
Edwards JS. 1972. Arthropod Fallout on Alaskan Snow. Arctic and Alpine Research. 4(2):167-176
The quantity and diversity of arthropod fallout on snow patches in Central Alaska are reported. Diptera and Hymenoptera are the dominant members of the fallout fauna, followed by Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Abundance ranged from 0.86 to 11 animals m-2. It is postulated that the fallout fauna which is airborne to the site is not passively accumulated on the snow surface, but that at least in some cases, for example aphids, the reflective snow surface acts as a "light trap." Fallout arthropods provide a source of food for birds and a source of imported nutrient. There does not appear to be a true nival fauna associated with these nonpersistent snow patches.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Edwards, John
- Units
- BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Arthropoda, Barrow, cryobiology, Invertebrates (Insects Other), Snow