Fire and Insect Assemblages

Abstract

Species-level conservation of insects is complex but that fine filter approach to conservation of such a diverse group cannot remain, or indeed become, the main plank in a modern conservation platform. The sheer numbers of individual needy species simply cannot be catered with current or foreseeable levels of funds, expertise and interest, and with the attention to fine detail needed perhaps not optimal for many of the co-occurring species. Whilst some insect species, notably amongst Lepidoptera (particularly butterflies) and Coleoptera have become invaluable flagships in both demonstrating how insect species conservation can be achieved and in education and disseminating awareness of insect variety and ecological complexity in conjunction with conservation need, wider approaches are the major path toward more comprehensive insect conservation. Assessing impacts of disturbances such as fire on assemblages, as well as on single species, is thus a key complementary need. Indeed, ‘Developing a predictive understanding of how species assemblages respond to fire is a key conservation goal’ (Langlands et al. 2011). Any such approach must flow from the best possible understanding of the ‘pattern’ of that assemblage, and its dynamics in space and season.