The importance of insect biomass and abundance for grouse populations

Monday, November 11, 2024

11:54 AM – 12:06 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 222 C, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

JY

Julianna Rose Yager

PhD student
Binghamton University
Endicott, New York

Co-Author(s)

EG

Eliza Grames

Binghamton University
Binghamton, New York
JE

Joseph Elias

Binghamton University
Binghamton, New York

Declines in both insect and bird populations have been documented concurrently on a global scale. Insect biodiversity loss could be a direct driver of bird population declines by affecting their reproductive success, thus leveraging the ‘umbrella species concept’ by partnering with bird conservation organizations could garner conservation attention for insects. Many grouse species are threatened with extinction and conservation of grouse habitats would result in direct benefits for grassland and shrubland insects. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compile studies that measure both insect biodiversity and grouse reproductive success and meta-analytically estimate the strength of the relationship to determine the extent to which insect declines contribute to grouse population declines. We also assess how variation in effect sizes is influenced by moderator variables such as grouse species, life stage, geographic location, and habitat type to identify predictors of stronger grouse declines in response to insect declines, considering other environmental factors. Since grouse require high-quality habitats and large, unfragmented landscapes, scientific support that insect abundance aids in their viability will also benefit invertebrate species sharing these habitats.