Insects associated with dead and dying trees in pyrogenic longleaf pine ecosystems

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 221/222

Presenting Author(s)

Thomas N. Sheehan

Research Associate II
Jones Center at Ichauway
Newton, Georgia

Co-author(s)

CB

Crystal J. Bishop

Student
Jones Center at Ichauway
Athens, Georgia
BG

Benjamin Gochnour

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
CV

Caterina Villari

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
KG

Kamal Gandhi

University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Co-Author(s)

Kier D. Klepzig

Director/ Research Entomologist
Jones Center at Ichauway
Newton, Georgia

The longleaf pine ecosystem exists in the Southern Coastal Plain, a global biodiversity hotspot. This fire-dominated system holds tremendous diversity in plants (over 40 species per m²), vertebrates, arthropods (over 3,000 species documented), and other life. It once covered 37 million hectares but has since been reduced to fewer than 2 million hectares. The gaps in entomological knowledge within the longleaf pine ecosystem are numerous and broad, but this is especially true for insects of dead and dying trees in these landscapes. We briefly review past research, share results from our research, present future research plans, and identify significant gaps in dying and dead wood knowledge amidst longleaf pine. Our overall goal is to significantly advance knowledge about these critical taxa that assist in breakdown of woody debris and enhance nutrient cycling in endangered pine ecosystems under climatic changes.