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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #148303
Title: ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT ON INSECT DIVERSITY IN TALLAHASSEE-LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA

Author
item LORENZO, ALFREDO - FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item Baez, Ignacio
item PESCADOR, MANUEL - FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Association of Research Directors
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2003
Publication Date: 5/5/2003
Citation: Lorenzo, A.B., Legaspi, J.C., Baez, I., Pescador, M. 2003. Assessing the effects of alternative landscape design and management on insect diversity in tallahassee-leon county, florida. Association of Research Directors.

Interpretive Summary: The study was conducted to determine if relationships exist between the number of insects and abundance and diversity of plant species in urban landscapes. Using GIS technology, locations of residential homes were selected from a list of participants in the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program and the Capital City Garden Club in Tallahassee, Florida. Measurements obtained from each homeowner¿s yard were the following: size, identity and number of plant species, composition, spatial and temporal arrangements and diversity index. Insects were collected using different trapping methods. Preliminary analysis indicate positive relationships between the number of insects and pests in the landscape and the type, total number of plants and plant species at each site.

Technical Abstract: In Florida, the average rate of urbanization statewide is about 25% per year over the past five years and it is likely to continue. An immediate effect of urbanization is on the magnitude and quality of vegetation and which in turn reduces biodiversity. The loss of vegetation particularly key host plants can certainly have an impact, on insects and pests population. Similarly, in efforts to replant using non-native plants can certainly impact emergence of other insects and pests in the landscape. During the summer of 2002, this project was conducted in an attempt to determine if relationships exist between the number of insects and abundance and diversity of the plant material found in urban developed landscapes. Using GIS technology, locations of residential homes in the Tallahassee-Leon County, Florida area who are either participants in the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program or members of the Capital City Garden Club were geocoded and mapped out. Each home site was visited and data on the following were collected: (1) size, (2) identity and number of plant species present, (3) composition, spatial and temporal arrangements, and (4) diversity index. Insect traps were installed in each participating home site, monitored and collected every week. An analysis of data collected from the sample residential landscapes revealed positive relationships between the number of insects and pests in the landscape and the type, total number of plants and plant species at the site.