Squalls and Saws: The Influence of Derecho and Management Disturbances on Forest Arthropods

Disturbance events and subsequent management practices significantly shape the ecological legacies of affected sites. This study evaluated the impacts of a 2022 derecho and the forest management that followed on forest structure and arthropod diversity within Allen County, Indiana, by comparing effected forests at Fogwell Forest Nature Preserve and Fox Island County Park to control forests at Blue Cast Springs and Hammer Wald Nature Preserves. Arthropod communities were sampled using pitfall and flight-intercept traps, while forest structure was assessed through detailed surveys of understory, midstory, and overstory vegetation. Results indicated a decrease in overall arthropod diversity across all sites since 2016, variably attributed to forest maturation, climatic variability, and the 2022 disturbance, with some specific taxa being targeted in this decrease such as Formicidae and Curculionidae. Fogwell exhibited a significant decline in arthropod diversity, likely linked to the derecho, while Fox Island’s diversity aligned more closely with undisturbed control sites. Notable midstory reductions were found across sites over time especially at Fox Island as a result of the harvest and storm impacts. Meanwhile, overstory diversity varied between properties. Regression modeling revealed that forest management practices at Fox Island may have mitigated the disturbance's effects, aiding arthropod recovery. All in all, these findings highlight the importance of forest management strategies in influencing biodiversity and ecological recovery post-disturbance.