Data from: Moth species richness and diversity decline in a 30-year time series in Norway, irrespective of species' latitudinal range extent and habitat

Data from:

Burner, R., V. Selås, S. Kobro, R. Jacobsen, A. Sverdrup-Thygeson. 2021. Moth species richness and abundance decline in a 30-year time series, irrespective of species’ latitudinal range extent and habitat. Journal of Insect Conservation
 

Current contact info for corresponding author: Ryan C. Burner, rburner[at]usgs.gov

These data consist of a 30-year time series (1984 to 2013) of moth captures from a single site in southeast Norway, along with trait data for many of the species and climate data for the site. The moths were collected and identified by Sverre Kobro for the entire 30-year period and we are grateful for his efforts. 

Abstract from manuscript:

Introduction

Insects are reported to be in decline around the globe, but long-term datasets are rare. The causes of these trends are elusive, with land use change and climate change among the top candidates. Yet if species traits can predict rates of population change, this can help identify underlying mechanisms. If climate change is important, for example, northern species may decline as southern species expand. Land use changes, however, may impact species that rely on certain habitats.

Aims and Methods

We present 30 years of moth captures (comprising 85,149 individuals of 885 species) from a site in southeastern Norway to test for population trends that are correlated with species traits. We use time series analyses and joint species distribution models combined with local climate and habitat data.

Results and Discussion

Species richness and abundance declined by 10.1% and 13.8% per decade, respectively. Capture rates declined for 19% of species during this time as well, though 6% have increased. Annual summer weather is correlated with annual rates of abundance change for many species. But, opposite to a general expectation, many species in our study responded negatively to increasing summer temperatures. Surprisingly, neither species’ northern range limits nor the habitat in which their primary food plants grow are strong predictors of their rates of change, or their responses to climatic factors. However, species with more southerly distributions are less likely to be declining. Complex and indirect effects of both land use and climate change may play a role in these declines.

Implications for insect conservation

Our results provide additional evidence for long-term declines in insect abundance. The multifaceted causes of population changes may limit the ability of species traits to reveal which species are most at risk.  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to J. Fjelddalen, who helped with geometrid moth identifications. This project was supported by internal funding from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences.