Effect of Vital Activity of Soil-Dwelling Tipulid (Tipula maxima) Larvae on Biological Activity in the Soil

Костина, Н. В.; Chernysheva, A. N.; Горленко, М. В.; Kozlova, Yu. E.; Умаров, М. М.

doi:10.3103/s0147687419010071

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Tipulids are agricultural pests long subject to control [ 82 ], and it is thought that organic practices have contributed to a resurgence in tipulid abundance [ 83 ]. They accelerate soil nitrogen fixation, can have impacts of greenhouse gas emissions [ 84 ], and are a vital food resource for birds [ 16 ]. Although, tipulid populations may suffer from hotter, drier climates particularly in the south east of the UK [ 83 ], and at the southern margins of upland peatlands [ 85 ], and can be sensitive to extreme weather events including flooding [ 82 , 86 ], we found no evidence for long-term declines in abundance to date, matching occurrence trends since the 1970s [ 14 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collation of a century of soil invertebrate abundance data suggests long-term declines in earthworms but not tipulids

2023

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Large-scale declines in terrestrial insects have been reported over much of Europe and across the world, however, population change assessments of other key invertebrate groups, such as soil invertebrates, have been largely neglected through a lack of available monitoring data. This study collates historic data from previously published studies to assess whether it is possible to infer previously undocumented long-term changes in soil invertebrate abundance. Earthworm and tipulid data were collated from over 100 studies across the UK, spanning almost 100 years. Analyses suggested long-term declines in earthworm abundance of between 1.6 to 2.1% per annum, equivalent to a 33% to 41% decline over 25 years. These appeared greatest in broadleaved woodlands and farmland habitats, and were greater in pasture than arable farmland. Significant differences in earthworm abundance between habitats varied between models but appeared to be highest in urban greenspaces and agricultural pasture. More limited data were available on tipulid abundance, which showed no significant change over time or variation between enclosed farmland and unenclosed habitats. Declines in earthworm populations could be contributing to overall declines in ecosystem function and biodiversity as they are vital for a range of ecosystem services and are keystone prey for many vertebrate species. If robust, our results identify a previously undetected biodiversity decline that would be a significant conservation and economic issue in the UK, and if replicated elsewhere, internationally. We highlight the need for long-term and large-scale soil invertebrate monitoring, which potentially could be carried out by citizen/community scientists.

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