Open AccessURBAN WARMING TRUMPS HERBIVORE ENEMIES
Author(s) -
Dale Adam G.,
Frank Steven D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the bulletin of the ecological society of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2327-6096
pISSN - 0012-9623
DOI - 10.1890/0012-9623-95.3.252
Subject(s) - herbivore , impervious surface , ecology , urbanization , urban ecology , abundance (ecology) , population , tree canopy , biology , habitat , geography , global warming , ecosystem , canopy , climate change , agroforestry , demography , sociology
Street trees provide ecosystem services that counter negative effects of cities on human and environmental health. Unfortunately, herbivorous arthropod pests are often more abundant on urban than rural trees. We ask how urban habitat characteristics influence temperature and natural enemy abundance, in regulating the abundance of an urban forest pest, the gloomy scale (Melanaspis tenebricosa). Impervious surfaces lead to warmer tree canopy temperatures, which increase scale insect abundance by increasing their fecundity, contributing to greater rates of population growth. This suggests that future warming may have direct effects on herbivorous pests, leading to declines in urban forest health.