Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2020

End date:

2022

Total budget:

32.023,29 €

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

16.011,67 €

Insects are the most diverse animals on the planet, with 1.5 million described species and an estimated 30 million. They are a fundamental part of ecosystems and, in recent years, a worldwide decline in their populations has been detected due to agricultural practices, habitat loss and climate change.

Therefore, one of the main challenges is to obtain long-term data on their population abundance, particularly in remote sites of natural interest.

The design of automated electronic traps is an interesting innovation for the study of insects in remote areas of natural interest that are difficult to access, as a complement to conventional sampling, and provides valuable information for their conservation.

The main objective of the project is to develop low-cost electronic systems for the sampling of bioindicator insects in remote locations of the Balearic Islands and to build a taxonomic database of the selected insect species.

Specific goals include:

• Select groups of bioindicator insects in remote places of special ecological relevance for the Balearic Islands such as the Cabrera Archipelago National Maritime-Terrestrial Park and islets, natural parks of the Balearic Islands and the Menorca Biosphere Reserve.
• Develop and apply sampling systems based on non-destructive techniques using electronic traps and sensors integrated in a GIS network.
• To build an online database of bioindicator species through morphological identification and molecular barcoding techniques.

• Bibliographic review of relevant publications on bioindicator insects in the Mediterranean area.
• Selection of groups and/or species of bioindicator insects relevant to the general objective of the proposal.
• Development of sampling systems based on electronic traps equipped with cameras, 4-G communication systems and environmental parameter sensors.
• Development of the electronic trap communication system.
• Development of a Geographic Information System for the management of electronic traps.
• Identification by morphological methods of the groups/species of interest.
• Identification of the species of interest by Barcoding.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.

• Automatic electronic traps (BIOVIEW) have been developed for the study of arthropod diversity in remote locations using non-destructive systems. These sites are difficult to access on a continuous basis due to their location and the logistics required. Electronic traps are a complement to conventional sampling in the field.
• The BIOVIEW traps have been placed on the islets of Sa Dragonera (Mallorca), Conillera (Ibiza) and Illa d’En Colom (Menorca). A trap has also been placed in the natural park of S’Albufera de Alcudia and in Palma. BioView traps are equipped with two high-resolution cameras and a 4G communication system. As a system to attract arthropods, mainly insects, chromatic plates and LED light have been used.
• A total of 7,680 photographs were analyzed during the study period, identifying the presence of a total of 14 orders of arthropods. In addition to the study of arthropods using electronic traps, conventional sampling was carried out in which samples were determined by morphological methods and molecular methods (Barcoding).
• Several outreach workshops have been held to bring the world of insects closer to the general public, and information on electronic insect tracking devices has been shared with technicians and scientists.