Award details

Agricultural implications of insect population dynamics and the conservation of biodiversity

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004193
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Mr Ian Woiwod
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	2,235,047
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	108 months

Abstract

The Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) runs a national network of light-traps for monitoring moth populations. This is complemented by the RIS national suction trap network for aphids and 2 vertical looking insect radars. Some of the RIS sites from both national networks have now been in operation for over 30 years providing standardised invertebrate datasets which are internationally recognised for their unique spatial, temporal and taxonomic scope. These data are used to develop and test methodologies and theories in biodiversity, population dynamics, pest forecasting and environmental change. The RIS moth data is particularly suitable for studies on species diversity. Measurement of diversity at the species level is a complex and long-running problem in ecology, with many recent biodiversity studies using incorrect or inadequate methodology. One objective of this project is to use the temporal and spatial replication of the RIS datasets to develop and test methodologies for species diversity measurement.A central aspect of ecology is to understand and predict how populations function. This has long been a controversial area with conflicting theories, particularly in relation to population control and regulation. One particular problem has been the wealth of theory and modelling but the relative lack of adequate long-term comparative data to test conflicting theories. The RIS dataset is particularly appropriate for such studies because of the length and number of time series both between and within species. In addition to use in fundamental studies the RIS data contain unique information on long-term changes in populations. These are being anaysed in relation to changes in agricultural practice and other environmental factors and have the potential to provide considerable information on other aspects of environmental change in relation to conservation questions.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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