Monitoring grassland’s arthropods in a in situ climate change experimentation (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)
Citation
Wallon S, Elias R B, Borges P A V (2023). Monitoring grassland’s arthropods in a in situ climate change experimentation (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). Version 1.5. Universidade dos Açores. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/u2xh5g accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-01.Description
The data presented are part of the project PASTURCLIM (Impact of climate change on pasture’s productivity and nutritional composition in the Azores). The project aims to assess consequences of climate change (in this case, increasing temperature) on the grass production and quality for cattle forage. The project also aims to assess changes in the arthropod’s community associated to the grassland. An in situ experimentation was set up using Open Top Chambers (OTC’s), in order to simulate an increasing of temperature (average of +1.2ºC) on grassland. In this paper, we present data relative to the arthropods collection. Overall, we collected 41,351 specimens belonging to four classes, 15 orders, 60 families and 171 morphospecies (including 34 taxa identified only at order, family of genus level). Therefore, for only 137 taxa we have a scientific name associated (n = 38918).Sampling Description
Study Extent
he study was conducted in three intensive pastures on the island of Terceira (Azores). On each field, 20 plots (1x1m) were set up in an area of 100m2 where cattle were not allowed. Among those 20 plots, 10 were randomly chosen to be delimited by an OTC’s (in order to simulate an increase of +1.2ºC average), while the other 10 were considered as control plots (Picture 1). OTC’s were built including a 1m2 plot and a margin of 25cm all around. The aim of this margin was to allow the same setting up of the pitfall as in the control plots (e.g. 1 pitfall trap at each corner); it also let free space for scientists to enter inside the OTC’s without stepping the plot. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded through data loggers in control plots and inside OTC’sSampling
The focus of the study were the arthropods associated to pasture for foraging production. Because OTC’s represent a physical barrier for flying insects, our focus was made on crawling arthropods. OTC’s were lift up about 5cm above the ground and allow any arthropod dislocations around the experimental area. Pitfall trap were then used for the sampling. Grasses inside each plot were seasonally and manually harvested to evaluate the biomass. Therefore, pitfall traps were set up and collected before harvesting grasses. Pitfall traps consisted in a 330 ml plastic cups, about 12 cm deep and 8 cm of diameter at the top (Picture 2). Traps were filled with ethylene glycol. We used car’s cooling liquid at 20% ethylene glycol at which we added few drops of soap to break the water tension. Specimen collected were then store into ethanol (96%). For each season (Winter and Summer), four pitfall traps were set up on each corner of each plot resulting in 4 traps per plot (Picture 3). All traps were set up for 14 days apart during the summer in the field B where the traps were set up for 13 daysQuality Control
After collection, specimens were store into alcohol (96%) before sorting. Specimens, adults and juveniles, were identified in a laboratory by trained parataxonomist (Sophie Wallon) and organized following a system of morphospecies. Final identification was done by Paulo A.V. Borges.Method steps
- Specimens were identified based on the Azorean arthropods collection “Dalberto Teixeira Pombo Insect Collection (DTP), University of Azores” created and maintain by Paulo A.V. Borges. A new collection reference was created, in the frame of the project PASTURCLIM, referencing each species occurring on the present dataset. If the specimen observed was not corresponding to any specimen already recorded in the Azorean arthropods collection or if identification was not possible, then the specimen was attributed to a new morphospecies number (identificationRemarks in Occurrence table)
Taxonomic Coverages
The following classes and orders of arthropods are covered:
Arachnida: Araneae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones; Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha, Scutigeromorpha; Diplopoda: Julida, Polydesmida; and Insecta: Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Psocodea
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Arthropodacommon name: Arthropods rank: class
Geographic Coverages
The study was conduct on the Archipelago of the Azores (North Atlantic), on Terceira island (38.712925, -27.234912) which is the third largest island of the archipelago with 400.2 km2 and a maximum altitude above sea level of 1021 m.
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Sophie Wallonoriginator
position: Researcher
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: sophie.wallon@gmail.com
homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
Rui B. Elias
originator
position: Auxiliary Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: rui.mp.elias@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7006549169
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2397-2438
Paulo A. V. Borges
originator
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623
Sophie Wallon
metadata author
position: Researcher
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: sophie.wallon@gmail.com
homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
Paulo A. V. Borges
metadata author
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623
Sophie Wallon
content provider
position: Researcher
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: sophie.wallon@gmail.com
homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
Sophie Wallon
administrative point of contact
position: Researcher
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: sophie.wallon@gmail.com
homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1116-1788