Assessing the effect of mowing practices on stem-dwelling arthropod assemblages in an urban conservation project

This project aims to evaluate the effect of mowing on the insect community living in meadow plant stems. Mowing is a necessary practice in meadow restoration in cities due to the need to control invasive plant species. However, past studies have shown that mowing can also contribute to increased mortality rates in a wide variety of animal groups. This presents a potential trade-off between goals for managing the plants in meadows and goals for managing animals. This project will examine the effect of mowing on insects. Many insects rely on their host plant’s structural integrity to complete their life cycles and may thus be negatively impacted by mowing. A better understanding of the potential trade-off between plant and animal conservation management will allow practitioners to take into account a larger breadth of living organisms and to better inform future mowing practices in urban meadow restoration projects.

Faculty Supervisor:

J. Scott MacIvor

Student:

Partner:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (Vaughan, ON)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

University of Toronto

Program: