Elisabeth Lundkvist - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
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Papers by Elisabeth Lundkvist
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2004
Abstract. In southern Sweden, many wetlands have been constructed, and maintaining or increasing... more Abstract. In southern Sweden, many wetlands have been constructed, and maintaining or increasing biological diversity is often included in the aims. Some wetlands are constructed near human settlements, thus raising the problem of wetlands being associated with mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Increased biodiversity (including mosquito diversity) is considered desirable, whereas mosquito nuisance from a human point of view is not. Adult mosquito abundance, diversity and species assemblages of constructed wetlands were compared to natural wetlands. The potential of constructed wetlands for mosquito nuisance and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses was evaluated. The study areas included five constructed and four natural wetlands. Mosquito abundance and species richness were higher in the natural than in the constructed wetlands, and showed a positive correlation with wetland size. Mosquito species assemblages formed three clusters, which were not explained by origin, size and water permanence of wetlands. In a redundancy analysis, however, mosquito faunas showed significant relationships with these variables, and size and origin of wetlands were most important. Major nuisance species (multivoltine species feeding on mammals and laying eggs on soil) were found in all wetlands, although in relatively low numbers. Risk assessment for Sindbis virus transmission showed moderate risk for two constructed wetlands near human settlements. It is concluded that small size of constructed wetlands has the advantage of low mosquito numbers from a human point of view. The use of functional groups is recommended as a tool for presenting mosquito data to the public, and for helping communication between scientists and administrative decision makers.
Lundkvist, E., Landin, J. & Karlsson, F. 2002: Dispersing diving beetles (Dytiscidae) in agricult... more Lundkvist, E., Landin, J. & Karlsson, F. 2002: Dispersing diving beetles (Dytiscidae) in agricultural and urban landscapes in south-eastern Sweden. -Ann. Zool. Fennici 39: 109-123.
Bulletin of Entomological Research, 2003
Field experiments were performed in artificial ponds to evaluate how the density of predatory div... more Field experiments were performed in artificial ponds to evaluate how the density of predatory diving beetles (Dytiscidae) would affect the population levels of mosquito larvae (Culicidae). Mosquitoes colonizing the ponds were predominantly species of the genus Culex. In 2000, most of the dytiscids colonizing the ponds were small (Hydroporus spp.), and these predators had no impact on the size of larval mosquito populations, not even in ponds with added dytiscids. In 2001, larger beetles (Ilybius, Rhantus, and Agabus spp.) were more common, and there were significantly fewer mosquito larvae in ponds with the highest numbers of dytiscids. There was a negative correlation between numbers of diving beetles in the ponds and the mean body length of mosquito larvae. In neither year could dytiscid densities be maintained above a certain level owing to emigration. In laboratory tests, there were marked differences between three common dytiscid species in regard to preferences for Daphnia and Culex species as prey: Colymbetes paykulli Erichson chose mosquito larvae more often, whereas both Ilybius ater (De Geer) and I. fuliginosus (Fabricius) preferred Daphnia spp. All of the tested dytiscids consumed large numbers of prey. Since some dytiscid species can efficiently decrease populations of mosquito larvae, they are probably important in the natural control of these dipterans.
Wetlands, 2006
Patterns of species diversity and community structure depend on scales larger than just a single ... more Patterns of species diversity and community structure depend on scales larger than just a single habitat and might be influenced by the surrounding landscape. We studied the response of two insect families, mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and dytiscids (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), to landscape variables at five spatial scales. We studied adult mosquito and dytiscid abundance, diversity, and species assemblages in relation to water permanence (area of permanent water bodies versus temporary wetlands) and forest cover (area covered by forest versus open land) within nested circles of 100 to 3000 m around trap sites in four wetlands in southern Sweden and in five wetlands in central Sweden. We found that mosquito abundance was greatest in areas with plentiful forest cover and a high proportion of temporary water, while most dytiscids favored open areas with a high proportion of permanent wetlands. However, diversity of both mosquitoes and dytiscids was positively correlated with high permanence and little forest cover. Mosquito species assemblages were mainly influenced by forest cover at a large spatial scale, whereas permanence was more important at local scales. Dytiscid species assemblages were mainly influenced by water permanence, especially at intermediate spatial scales. These results can be explained by the flight capability and dispersal behavior of mosquito and dytiscid species. The observed landscape associations of mosquitoes and dytiscids could be useful when creating new wetlands. Mosquito colonization could be reduced by creating permanent wetlands in an open landscape, which would favor colonization by dytiscids, a potential predator of mosquito larvae, while also supporting the diversity of both taxa.
Wetlands, 2001
We investigated diving beetle (Dytiscidae) assemblages in twelve wetlands in an agricultural land... more We investigated diving beetle (Dytiscidae) assemblages in twelve wetlands in an agricultural landscape in southeastern Sweden. Beetles were trapped in wetlands that varied in permanence (temporary or permanent), area (25 to 4,800 m 2 ), age (11 to Ͼ50 yr), and shading (open to wooded surroundings). Our objective was to determine if those environmental factors are important in structuring the local assemblages of diving beetles and how the combination of different types of wetlands influence the diversity of diving beetles in a landscape. Generally, species-area relationships were weak, and shaded wetlands, both permanent and temporary, of intermediate size (240-1,100 m 2 ) had the highest richness after a rarefaction analysis. It was not possible to discern a certain type of wetland where diversity was highest (measured by index ␣ and Shannon-Wiener's index), although, again, intermediate sized wetlands did tend to be more diverse than others. Similarities in species compositions were highest among environmentally similar wetlands, and assemblage structure differed substantially between different types of wetlands. Results of ordination (CCA) and variance partitioning revealed that permanence and degree of shading were the most important factors in structuring assemblages. Our findings imply that high diversity of the diving beetles depends on the number of wetland types represented in a landscape. It is possible to achieve high diversity in a small area by combining permanent and temporary wetlands, as well as many age and successional stages, located in wooded and open environments.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2004
Abstract. In southern Sweden, many wetlands have been constructed, and maintaining or increasing... more Abstract. In southern Sweden, many wetlands have been constructed, and maintaining or increasing biological diversity is often included in the aims. Some wetlands are constructed near human settlements, thus raising the problem of wetlands being associated with mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Increased biodiversity (including mosquito diversity) is considered desirable, whereas mosquito nuisance from a human point of view is not. Adult mosquito abundance, diversity and species assemblages of constructed wetlands were compared to natural wetlands. The potential of constructed wetlands for mosquito nuisance and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses was evaluated. The study areas included five constructed and four natural wetlands. Mosquito abundance and species richness were higher in the natural than in the constructed wetlands, and showed a positive correlation with wetland size. Mosquito species assemblages formed three clusters, which were not explained by origin, size and water permanence of wetlands. In a redundancy analysis, however, mosquito faunas showed significant relationships with these variables, and size and origin of wetlands were most important. Major nuisance species (multivoltine species feeding on mammals and laying eggs on soil) were found in all wetlands, although in relatively low numbers. Risk assessment for Sindbis virus transmission showed moderate risk for two constructed wetlands near human settlements. It is concluded that small size of constructed wetlands has the advantage of low mosquito numbers from a human point of view. The use of functional groups is recommended as a tool for presenting mosquito data to the public, and for helping communication between scientists and administrative decision makers.
Lundkvist, E., Landin, J. & Karlsson, F. 2002: Dispersing diving beetles (Dytiscidae) in agricult... more Lundkvist, E., Landin, J. & Karlsson, F. 2002: Dispersing diving beetles (Dytiscidae) in agricultural and urban landscapes in south-eastern Sweden. -Ann. Zool. Fennici 39: 109-123.
Bulletin of Entomological Research, 2003
Field experiments were performed in artificial ponds to evaluate how the density of predatory div... more Field experiments were performed in artificial ponds to evaluate how the density of predatory diving beetles (Dytiscidae) would affect the population levels of mosquito larvae (Culicidae). Mosquitoes colonizing the ponds were predominantly species of the genus Culex. In 2000, most of the dytiscids colonizing the ponds were small (Hydroporus spp.), and these predators had no impact on the size of larval mosquito populations, not even in ponds with added dytiscids. In 2001, larger beetles (Ilybius, Rhantus, and Agabus spp.) were more common, and there were significantly fewer mosquito larvae in ponds with the highest numbers of dytiscids. There was a negative correlation between numbers of diving beetles in the ponds and the mean body length of mosquito larvae. In neither year could dytiscid densities be maintained above a certain level owing to emigration. In laboratory tests, there were marked differences between three common dytiscid species in regard to preferences for Daphnia and Culex species as prey: Colymbetes paykulli Erichson chose mosquito larvae more often, whereas both Ilybius ater (De Geer) and I. fuliginosus (Fabricius) preferred Daphnia spp. All of the tested dytiscids consumed large numbers of prey. Since some dytiscid species can efficiently decrease populations of mosquito larvae, they are probably important in the natural control of these dipterans.
Wetlands, 2006
Patterns of species diversity and community structure depend on scales larger than just a single ... more Patterns of species diversity and community structure depend on scales larger than just a single habitat and might be influenced by the surrounding landscape. We studied the response of two insect families, mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and dytiscids (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), to landscape variables at five spatial scales. We studied adult mosquito and dytiscid abundance, diversity, and species assemblages in relation to water permanence (area of permanent water bodies versus temporary wetlands) and forest cover (area covered by forest versus open land) within nested circles of 100 to 3000 m around trap sites in four wetlands in southern Sweden and in five wetlands in central Sweden. We found that mosquito abundance was greatest in areas with plentiful forest cover and a high proportion of temporary water, while most dytiscids favored open areas with a high proportion of permanent wetlands. However, diversity of both mosquitoes and dytiscids was positively correlated with high permanence and little forest cover. Mosquito species assemblages were mainly influenced by forest cover at a large spatial scale, whereas permanence was more important at local scales. Dytiscid species assemblages were mainly influenced by water permanence, especially at intermediate spatial scales. These results can be explained by the flight capability and dispersal behavior of mosquito and dytiscid species. The observed landscape associations of mosquitoes and dytiscids could be useful when creating new wetlands. Mosquito colonization could be reduced by creating permanent wetlands in an open landscape, which would favor colonization by dytiscids, a potential predator of mosquito larvae, while also supporting the diversity of both taxa.
Wetlands, 2001
We investigated diving beetle (Dytiscidae) assemblages in twelve wetlands in an agricultural land... more We investigated diving beetle (Dytiscidae) assemblages in twelve wetlands in an agricultural landscape in southeastern Sweden. Beetles were trapped in wetlands that varied in permanence (temporary or permanent), area (25 to 4,800 m 2 ), age (11 to Ͼ50 yr), and shading (open to wooded surroundings). Our objective was to determine if those environmental factors are important in structuring the local assemblages of diving beetles and how the combination of different types of wetlands influence the diversity of diving beetles in a landscape. Generally, species-area relationships were weak, and shaded wetlands, both permanent and temporary, of intermediate size (240-1,100 m 2 ) had the highest richness after a rarefaction analysis. It was not possible to discern a certain type of wetland where diversity was highest (measured by index ␣ and Shannon-Wiener's index), although, again, intermediate sized wetlands did tend to be more diverse than others. Similarities in species compositions were highest among environmentally similar wetlands, and assemblage structure differed substantially between different types of wetlands. Results of ordination (CCA) and variance partitioning revealed that permanence and degree of shading were the most important factors in structuring assemblages. Our findings imply that high diversity of the diving beetles depends on the number of wetland types represented in a landscape. It is possible to achieve high diversity in a small area by combining permanent and temporary wetlands, as well as many age and successional stages, located in wooded and open environments.