Editorial overview: Arthropod population dynamics at regional scales: Novel approaches and emerging insights
| Authors: | Kyle J. Haynes, Andrew M. Liebhold, Derek M. Johnson |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2023.101030 |
| Source: | Current Opinion in Insect Science |
Abstract
The study of population dynamics at regional scales was not widely attempted half a century ago. Since then, however, greater availability of spatially referenced data, analytical methods, and computational resources have helped drive increasing attention to population-dynamic patterns and processes at regional scales. These advances have occurred against a backdrop of accelerating climate change and have helped document impacts on range shifts and spatiotemporal patterns of outbreaks. In many systems, archives of annual insect outbreak maps have been digitized and are a boon to the field of population ecology. Analyses of such data have facilitated quantification of synchronous population fluctuations and exploration of hypotheses regarding the role of regional stochasticity in weather and/or dispersal of insect or natural enemies as drivers of population synchrony. Likewise, outbreak data can elucidate drivers of spatially variable dynamics such as local heterogeneity in resources, natural enemies, and environmental conditions. Greater understanding of insect population dynamics at regional scales has been critical to developing effective strategies for management of issues such as the spread of invasive species and management of recurrent widespread pest outbreaks.