Recent records of steppe species in Belarus, first indications of a steppe species invasion?
2011
Steppe Species in Belarus: Signs of Invasion?
Sample size: 130000
publication
20 minutes
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Oleg Aleksandrowicz
Primary Institution: Pomeranian University, Slupsk, Poland
Hypothesis
Are steppe species migrating into Belarus due to climate change?
Conclusion
The study indicates that steppe species have likely migrated to southeastern Belarus from northeastern Ukraine, influenced by warmer and wetter summers.
Supporting Evidence
- Over 130,000 specimens of ground beetles were collected, indicating a significant study scale.
- The study suggests that climatic changes have facilitated the migration of steppe species into Belarus.
- Steppe species were exclusively found in fields and waste grounds on sandy soils.
Takeaway
Scientists found a lot of beetles in Belarus that usually live in warmer places, suggesting they are moving north because of climate change.
Methodology
The study involved collecting ground beetles using pitfall traps, quadrate sampling, hand collecting, netting, and light traps over several decades.
Limitations
The study may not account for all environmental factors influencing species distribution.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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