Arthropod studies on the Shortgrass Steppe LTER: past, present and future
Date
2000
Authors
Hartley, Laurel M., author
Kaplan, Nicole E., author
Lindquist, Mark D., author
Stapp, Paul, author
SGS-LTER, Colorado State University, publisher
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Abstract
Arthropods play important roles in the ecology of shortgrass steppe as consumers, prey and detritivores. Here we describe past, ongoing, and future studies of arthropods conducted as part of the Shortgrass Steppe (SGS) LTER project in north-central Colorado. Our goals are to increase awareness of our arthropod research and existing datasets, and to identify opportunities for collaboration and cross-site comparisons with LTER researchers. Arthropods have been the focus of much short-term comparative and experimental research on the site, but we know of only two long-term studies. Since 1995, insects and spiders have been sampled monthly during summer (May- September) in live pitfall traps along a 1-km transect spanning a representative topographical gradient (catena). This project continues research conducted by other SGS-LTER scientists from 1990-1994 to investigate spatial dynamics of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) populations. A second project initiated in 1998 involves monthly summer sampling of macroarthropods in small pitfall grids in grassland and saltbush vegetation. This study was implemented to track changes in relative abundance of arthropod prey, and grids are located on trapping webs used for rodent population studies. In addition, we maintain on-site a small but growing reference collection of representative arthropods, which is mostly used to train field assistants and support other research projects. Poster presented at the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting held in Snowbird, Utah.
Description
The SGS-LTER research site was established in 1980 by researchers at Colorado State University as part of a network of long-term research sites within the US LTER Network, supported by the National Science Foundation. Scientists within the Natural Resource Ecology Lab, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and Biology Department at CSU, California State Fullerton, USDA Agricultural Research Service, University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Wyoming, among others, have contributed to our understanding of the structure and functions of the shortgrass steppe and other diverse ecosystems across the network while maintaining a common mission and sharing expertise, data and infrastructure.
Colorado State University. Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory; Colorado State University. Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship; Colorado State University. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Colorado State University. Department of Biology; California State University, Fullerton; United States. Agricultural Research Service; University of Northern Colorado.
Colorado State University. Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory; Colorado State University. Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship; Colorado State University. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Colorado State University. Department of Biology; California State University, Fullerton; United States. Agricultural Research Service; University of Northern Colorado.
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Subject
shortgrass steppe
arthropods
Central Plains Experimental Range
Pawnee National Grassland
long term ecological research
grassland ecology