Unveiling Arthropod Responses to Climate Change: A Functional Trait Analysis in Intensive Pastures.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the impact of elevated temperatures on arthropod communities in intensively managed pastures on the volcanic island of Terceira, Azores (Portugal), using a functional trait approach. Open Top Chambers (OTCs) were employed to simulate increased temperatures, and the functional traits of ground dwelling arthropods were analyzed along a small elevation gradient (180-400 m) during winter and summer. Key findings include lower abundances of herbivores, coprophagous organisms, detritivores, and fungivores at high elevations in summer, with predators showing a peak at middle elevations. Larger-bodied arthropods were more prevalent at higher elevations during winter, while beetles exhibited distinct ecological traits, with larger species peaking at middle elevations. The OT

SUBMITTER: Wallon S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11432249 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature