Long-term trends in the occupancy of ants revealed through use of multi-sourced datasets

Author
Sheard Julie K.
Rahbek Carsten
Dunn Robert R.
Sanders Nathan J.
Isaac Nick J. B.
Abstract

We combined participatory science data and museum records to understand long-term changes in occupancy for 29 ant species in Denmark over 119 years. Bayesian occupancy modelling indicated change in occupancy for 15 species: five increased, four declined and six showed fluctuating trends. We consider how trends may have been influenced by life-history and habitat changes. Our results build on an emerging picture that biodiversity change in insects is more complex than implied by the simple insect decline narrative.

Year of Publication
2021
Journal
Biology Letters
Volume
17
Number of Pages
20210240
URL
DOI
10.1098/rsbl.2021.0240
Scheme
Research themes
Download citation