Grants and Contracts Details
Description
In temperate environments, climate change is expected to have devastating impacts on the winter
season, causing increased daily temperatures, temperature variation, and occurrence of extreme
weather events. Winter warming can have positive impacts on arthropod pest populations by extending
their growing season and habitable ranges; and negative impacts on natural enemies by reducing
overwintering survival. These decrease the effectiveness of natural enemies, causing reduced plant
production and ecosystem functioning. Overwintering success of natural enemies must be investigated
to determine their ability to suppress pests during the winter, and subsequent growing season.
Spiders are a common generalist predator in a variety of ecosystems, with 15% remaining active
throughout the winter. These spiders fill a niche in late-winter, early-spring predation when some
pests have become active, but specialist predators have not. This research focuses on a wolf
spider (Schizocosa stridulans), investigating the impact of winter warming on their abilities as
biological control agents. Objectives are to investigate physiological effects of winter warming
on spiders and impacts of prey community composition shifts throughout the season. This work will
be conducted by the PD, with help from undergraduate researchers under the advisement of Dr.
Nicholas Teets. This project is submitted under the bioenergy, natural resources and environment
program. It addresses the goals of this program by understanding the role of spiders as biological
control agents in order to preserve natural resources and promote functioning ecosystems in the
environment. This project also allows the PD to teach and mentor undergraduates to reach her career
goals.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 3/15/18 → 3/14/21 |
Funding
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture: $95,000.00
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