Post on 16-Dec-2015
Focus
• phenology
• morphometry
• niche
• freshwater insects, bees, beetles, butterflies, flowering plants, bird eggs
Phenology• dates of flowering, emergence, egg-laying, pollinia removal
• NHM specimens give longer time perspective than most observational records
• provides baseline on rates of phenological change prior to recent rapid climate change
• NHM data available for rare species
• place and date of collection against climate
• pilot study of four species of British butterflies
Orange Tip
Grizzled Skipper
Duke of Burgundy
Adonis Blue
Interpretation of results
• significant negative correlation between earliest collection date and median collection date and spring temperature
• significant positive correlation between length of flight period and spring or summer temperature
• warmer springs result in earlier flying dates and extend flying season
• cool, wet springs delay first flying dates
• rates of advancement per 1C for early emerging species higher in NHM data than modern observations
• for early emerging species March temperature more significant than February in NHM data
Morphometry
• stomatal density, leaf morphology influenced by climate, change through time (with Utrecht University)
• wing and body symmetry and size of insects may vary with climate and influence distribution
• use digital images of UK and European dragonflies to test this hypothesis
Niche
• hypothesis that temperature and precipitation drives distribution of European flora and fauna
• compile locality data of European freshwater insects and beetles from NHM collections
• model distribution range against climate and environmental variables
• determine major variables driving distribution
• in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast.