Förändringar av insektsfaunan i Padjelanta nationalpark. Changes in the insect fauna in Padjelanta National Park

• Main Authors: Franzén, Markus, Molander, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Entomologiska föreningen, Stockholm 2011
• Subjects: Arctic; Padjelanta; Lule Lappmark; Padjelanta Nationalpark
• Online Access: https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=11915

Arctic ecosystems and the trophic levels structuring them have recently been severely perturbed, although a relatively large proportion of the Arctic environment is protected. Temperatures have increased two to three times more rapidly in the Arctic compared to other regions, mammal populations have declined and the tree line has shifted to higher altitudes. However, knowledge of possible changes of the insect fauna in Arctic habitats is strikingly poor. In this study we compiled data from historical and recent surveys of sixmajor insect taxa (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera (Aculeata), Odonata, Orthoptera and Diptera (Syrphidae) recorded in Padjelanta, the largest (1984 km2) National Park in Sweden. Padjelanta is situated in the Western part of the province Lule Lappmark and is dominated by alpine vegetation, with an average altitude of 800 m.a.s.l. (range: 550-1800 m.a.s.l.). Insects in Padjelanta have been studied occasionally since the beginning of the 1940s. We carried out a follow up study of the taxa listed above between 1998 and 2008 to study possible changes in the insect fauna. A total of 398 species belonging to the studied groups have been recorded in the park. Especially species rich groups are the bumblebees and butterflies, of which 16 and 26 species have been recorded. Red Listed species were represented by eight butterflies, but several other interesting and rare species were found, including the first records of the weevil Dorytomus tortrix and the chrysidid wasp Chrysis angustula in the province Lule lappmark. Only small changes in the fauna were detected; some species of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Aculeate wasps seem to have colonized the area over the last 65 years, but the overall rate of colonization has been low. We discuss changes in the alpine fauna, the Red List status of alpine insect species and threats to the environment. It is concluded that the alpine insect fauna warrants further attention and should be carefully monitored since environmental changes are expected to occur ...