Research Mentor(s)

Peterson, Merrill A., 1965-

Description

Climate change has driven shifts in phenology and distribution for many species. These effects are often idiosyncratic and it remains unclear whether they vary consistently among functional groups, limiting our ability to draw broad conclusions about how climate change affects species. Previous studies have indicated that Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are sensitive to climate change. We analyzed a large database of moth specimen records from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) to examine climate change responses over more than 100 years for a suite of 241 functionally diverse species, including spring and fall active species as well as dietary generalists and specialists. Our goal was to investigate the effect of among-year variation in regional late winter to early spring temperatures on the seasonal timing of adult activity, and whether that effect differs among moth functional groups. We hypothesized that moths would have earlier flight dates in warmer years, and that this effect would be greatest for both early-season and dietary specialists.

Document Type

Event

Start Date

19-5-2016 12:00 PM

End Date

19-5-2016 3:00 PM

Department

Biology

Genre/Form

student projects; posters

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Climatic changes--Northwest, Pacific; Moths--Behavior--Northwest Pacific; Moths--Reproduction--Climatic factors

Geographic Coverage

Northwest, Pacific

Type

Image

Keywords

Climate change, natural history, data, moths, PNW

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Included in

Biology Commons

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May 19th, 12:00 PM May 19th, 3:00 PM

Calculating the predictability of climate change: the effect of climate change on moth species in the Pacific Northwest varies among functional groups.

Climate change has driven shifts in phenology and distribution for many species. These effects are often idiosyncratic and it remains unclear whether they vary consistently among functional groups, limiting our ability to draw broad conclusions about how climate change affects species. Previous studies have indicated that Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are sensitive to climate change. We analyzed a large database of moth specimen records from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) to examine climate change responses over more than 100 years for a suite of 241 functionally diverse species, including spring and fall active species as well as dietary generalists and specialists. Our goal was to investigate the effect of among-year variation in regional late winter to early spring temperatures on the seasonal timing of adult activity, and whether that effect differs among moth functional groups. We hypothesized that moths would have earlier flight dates in warmer years, and that this effect would be greatest for both early-season and dietary specialists.

 

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