Publication Date
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Don Cipollini (Committee Member), James Runkle (Committee Member), John O. Stireman Iii (Advisor)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Habitat loss and exotic species invasion is a rapidly growing threat facing forest animal communities worldwide. The goal of the current study is to assess the impact of forest fragmentation and the associated invasion of honeysuckle on immature tree-feeding Lepidoptera communities in southwestern Ohio. Caterpillar abundance, richness, and honeysuckle density were sampled along 100 meter transects conducted in ten forest fragments. Generalized linear models were developed to determine the effects of fragment area, landscape forest cover, and honeysuckle density on caterpillar abundance and richness. Caterpillar abundance and richness was positively related to landscape forest cover and fragment area. However, these effects were strongly dependent on honeysuckle densities within fragments. These results indicate that habitat fragmentation and invasive species interact to influence forest Lepidoptera communities. In an examination of the effects of honeysuckle on arthropod herbivory, honeysuckle appears to cause associational susceptibility of tree saplings.
Page Count
99
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2008
Copyright
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
