Linking taxonomic diversity and ecological traits of geometrid moths and plants in coastal dunes: Insights from a Mediterranean LTER site

作者：Micaela del Valle Rasino, Michele Innangi, Mirko Di Febbraro, Simone Fattorini, Andrea Sciarretta, Angela Stanisci, María Laura Carranza · 发表于：Ecological Indicators · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113975 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies、Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna、Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

• Geometrid moths and plants were sampled along the dune zonation. • Moths and plants showed similarities in α-, β- and γ- diversity patterns. • Ecological traits of both moths and plants are associated with dune zonation. • Geometrids may represent useful bioindicators for coastal habitats. • Preserving dune integrity supports high biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Geometrid moths are widely regarded as effective bioindicators due to their sensitivity to changes in local plant communities, their preference for woody habitats and their limited dispersal capabilities. We analyzed geometrid moths and vascular plants diversity patterns inside a monitoring site that is a node of the European Long-Term Ecosystem Research network (eLTER IT20), placed on the central Italy Adriatic dune coast including a well-preserved Mediterranean system. Moth and plant communities were sampled in two distinct dune zones (the shifting dunes and the fixed dunes) in three replicates. Geometrids were collected using traps equipped with UV LEDs. Vegetation surveys were conducted using plots with a stratified random design. For both geometrids and plants, we investigated differences between dune zones in species richness, species abundance distribution and trait characteristics. To assess variation and covariation within and between geometrid and plant traits, we applied a Two-block Partial Least Squares (2B-PLS) analysis. Finally, we assessed the congruence between geometrids and plants in specie...