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Urban biodiversity: comparison of insect assemblages on native and non-native trees

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Abstract

Trees are thought to be important for supporting urban biodiversity. However tree species differ considerably in the numbers of invertebrates they support, with potential consequences for higher trophic groups such as birds. In this study the influence of native and non-native trees on the abundance of insects (Hemiptera) and the incidence of insectivorous birds (Paridae) were investigated in the southern English town of Bracknell. The number and species of tree were recorded from each of 17 roundabout and parkland sites. Tree beating was used to sample arboreal Hemiptera and Paridae were recorded either with point counts and transect walks, depending on the size of the site. Due to the great variation between tree species, there was no overall significant difference in species richness or abundance of Hemiptera between native and non-native tree species. However, individual native trees had more species and individuals than non-natives. The proportion of native trees at Bracknell sites was positively related to the abundance of both Hemiptera and the number of Paridae observed. The consequences of vegetation type for insect abundance indicates that in order to sustain and enhance urban biodiversity, careful consideration needs to be given to species of trees present in urban areas.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council for their advice and for allowing us to study the Bracknell sites. Dr. Bernard Nau provided draft copies of his key to the Miridae and Heteroptera checklist, and helped with the identification of some species.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal and Environmental Research Group, Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK

    Alvin J. Helden

  2. Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY, UK

    Alvin J. Helden, Gemma C. Stamp & Simon R. Leather

Authors
  1. Alvin J. Helden
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  2. Gemma C. Stamp
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  3. Simon R. Leather
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alvin J. Helden.

Appendices

Appendix 1 The number of native and non-native trees found on 17 roundabouts and parkland sites in Bracknell

Tree species

Roundabouts

Non-roundabouts

Total

Native species

   
 

Quercus robur L.

11

145

156

 

Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

15

124

139

 

Salix spp.

23

63

86

 

Betula pendula Roth

30

40

70

 

Pinus sylvestris L.

68

2

70

 

Fraxinus excelsior L.

22

37

59

 

Sorbus aucuparia L.

28

17

45

 

Populus spp.

11

30

41

 

Tilia spp.

36

3

39

 

Corylus avellana L.

10

28

38

 

Carpinus betulus L.

27

3

30

 

Fagus sylvatica L.

6

15

21

 

Acer campestre L.

8

11

19

 

Ilex aquifolium L.

10

5

15

 

Ulmus spp.

0

15

15

 

Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner

0

13

13

 

Taxus baccata L.

10

0

10

Non-native species

   
 

Acer platanoides L.

63

3

66

 

Prunus sp.A

18

38

56

 

Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh

25

3

28

 

Acer pseudoplatanus L.

16

5

21

 

Prunus sp.B

0

20

20

 

Malus sp.

4

12

16

 

Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.)

12

2

14

 

Quercus rubra L.

6

5

11

 

Other non-native

34

19

53

Total

493

658

1151

Total native

315

551

866

Total non-native

178

107

285

% non-native

36.1

16.3

24.8

Appendix 2 The number of species of Hemiptera, corrected with rarefaction to 5 sampled trees, and the mean abundance of Hemiptera per tree. Non-native species are shown in bold

Tree species

Hemiptera species

Tree species

Hemiptera abundance

Salix cinerea L.

10.3

Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

12.8

Betula pendula Roth

9.7

Betula pendula Roth

10.4

Salix caprea L.

8.8

Sorbus aucuparia L.

10.2

Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

8.4

Fraxinus excelsior L.

9.9

Quercus robur L.

8.4

Corylus avellana L.

7.5

Acer campestre L.

7.9

Malus sp.

7.4

Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers.

7.0

Quercus robur L.

5.2

Fraxinus excelsior L.

6.9

Salix caprea L.

4.5

Carpinus betulus L.

6.0

Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers.

4.4

Quercus rubra L.

6.0

Salix cinerea L.

3.8

Prunus sp.

5.2

Acer campestre L.

3.3

Corylus avellana L.

5.0

Pinus sylvestris L.

2.9

Tilia x europaea L.

5.0

Carpinus betulus L.

2.5

Malus sp.

4.1

Prunus sp.

1.9

Acer platanoides L.

4.1

Quercus rubra L.

1.8

Pinus sylvestris L.

4.1

Tilia x europaea L.

1.4

Sorbus aucuparia L.

3.8

Acer platanoides L.

1.4

Acer pseudoplatanus L.

3.7

Fagus sylvatica L.

1.3

Fagus sylvatica L.

3.6

Tilia platyphyllos Scop.

1.1

Tilia platyphyllos Scop.

2.8

Acer pseudoplatanus L.

1.0

Salix fragilis L.

2.1

Salix fragilis L.

0.9

Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh

1.1

Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh

0.2

Ilex aquifolium L.

0.8

Ilex aquifolium L.

0.2

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Helden, A.J., Stamp, G.C. & Leather, S.R. Urban biodiversity: comparison of insect assemblages on native and non-native trees. Urban Ecosyst 15, 611–624 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0231-x

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