Long-term trends in the occupancy of ants revealed through use of multi-sourced datasets

Julie K. Sheard, Carsten Rahbek, Robert R. Dunn, Nathan J. Sanders, Nick J. B. Isaac

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

We combined participatory science data and museum records to understand long-term changes in occupancy for 29 ant species in Denmark over 119 years. Bayesian occupancy modelling indicated change in occupancy for 15 species: five increased, four declined and six showed fluctuating trends. We consider how trends may have been influenced by life-history and habitat changes. Our results build on an emerging picture that biodiversity change in insects is more complex than implied by the simple insect decline narrative.
Original languageEnglish
Article number20210240
JournalBiology Letters
Volume17
Issue number10
Number of pages6
ISSN1744-9561
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Bayesian occupancy modelling
  • citizen science
  • Denmark
  • Formicidae
  • museum data

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