Gap Response In Forest Insects – From Communities To Cellular Processes (GapResIn)

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Canopy density heavily affects microclimate conditions within a forest stand. This determines local habitat conditions for ectotherms operating on small scales. In Central Europe forest species adapted to open canopy conditions currently more at risk than those adapted to closed canopies, which mirrors the increase in growing stock during the last century. Nowadays natural disturbances and commercial logging affect both the canopy density and thereby the habitat of species and the difference in local climates between closed canopies and gaps is larger than the current observed increase of temperature by global warming. Hence, a better understanding on the mechanisms behind species response to microclimates in forests is critical for forest and conservation management. In macro-ecology the response of species to climate gradients has a long tradition, ending up with ecogeographical rules, predicting within and between species response to decreasing temperatures, humidity or in general harshness. Here we aim to study the response of three insect taxa, saproxylic beetles, nocturnal macro-moths and true bugs to variation in microclimate, controlled for resource availability. To do so we first will investigate a huge community data set from 5 regions (Biodiversity Exploratories +2 more) with high resolution canopy density information by airborne laser. We will focus on the traits body size, wing morphology and color, all three confirmed as relevant in macro-ecological studies. Second, we will use the new forest experiment in the Exploratories to validate our predictions from step 1. Third, we will investigate the within species response by trait variation to the experimental opening of canopy. Fourth, we will perform transcriptome sequencing of four selected species by exposing caged insects to closed canopy and gap conditions in the forest experiment. Here we aim at identifying transcriptional signatures related to microclimate response. Our analyses aim at illuminating mechanisms underlying the identification of insect species composition differences in gaps and closed forest patches.