NEWS An extensive study led by scientists from Umeå University and Lund University demonstrates the critical impact of herbivorous insects on nutrient cycles within forests worldwide. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study highlights the importance of understanding these insects for accurate environmental models and conservations efforts.
A collaborator in Russia rigs a line over a tree branch with a crossbow to collect green leaves.
ImageVladimir Oskolkov“Together with myriad local collaborators, we established a global network of 74 plots in diverse forest ecosystems. Our findings show that herbivorous insects have a profound impact on carbon and nutrient cycling,” says Dr. Bernice Hwang, lead researcher and co-author of the study.
The study focused on 40 mature, undisturbed broadleaved forests spanning tropical, temperate, and boreal zones. By analyzing nutrient, productivity, and herbivory data collected from these forest sites, the researchers revealed that insect herbivory can exceed natural inputs of nutrients, such as atmospheric deposition, in some locations.
Put together, temperature shifts and insect herbivory can have a profound effect on nutrient-limited forests.
“We also found that concentrations of carbon and nutrients deposited by herbivorous insects significantly increased with rising mean annual temperature globally. Put together, temperature shifts and insect herbivory can have a profound effect on nutrient-limited forests,” says Dr. Hwang.
Professor Daniel Metcalfe at Umeå University has led the project funded by the European Research Council.
“Understanding the complex interplay between plants, herbivores, and climate is crucial for managing and conserving forest ecosystems in the face of ongoing environmental changes,” he says.
The study underscores the need for further investigation into how herbivorous insects affects different forest types and global nutrient cycles. The findings provide a foundation for future research to better understand the intricate relationship between insects and forest ecosystems.
Hwang, B.C., Giardina, C.P., Adu-Bredu, S. et al. The impact of insect herbivory on biogeochemical cycling in broadleaved forests varies with temperature. Nature Communications 15, 6011 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50245-9
