Insect reproductive behaviors are important mediators of carrion nutrient release into soil.

ABSTRACT: Current declines in terrestrial insect biomass and abundance have raised global concern for the fate of insects and the ecosystem services they provide. However, the ecological and economic contributions of many insects have yet to be quantified. Carrion-specializing invertebrates are important mediators of carrion decomposition; however, the role of their reproductive activities in facilitating this nutrient pulse into ecosystems is poorly understood. Here, we investigate whether insects that sequester carrion belowground for reproduction alter soil biotic and abiotic properties in North American temperate forests. We conducted a field experiment that measured soil conditions in control, surface carrion alone, and beetle-utilized carrion treatments. Our data demonstrate that Nicrophorus b

SUBMITTER: Woelber-Kastner BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7878738 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature