Canopy Arthropods and Their Response to Forest Disturbance

Abstract

Most ecological studies of forest canopy arthropods have focused on population dynamics. These studies have contributed much to our understanding of population responses to changes in environmental conditions. Moreover, advances in population theory have indicated the importance of understanding the dynamics of species assemblages. Population irruptions do not result simply from changes in abiotic or host conditions, but also reflect competitive interactions within guilds and predisposing changes in host or predator conditions affected by other guilds (Schowalter 1985). Bark beetle population irruptions, for example, may result from host stress aggravated by defoliator populations (Berryman and Wright 1978).