Food preference of invertebrates at different stages of forest succession.

Abstract

Humans depend on the resources and services from forest ecosystems. Due to human overconsumption of resources, our forests are diminishing. We must develop a better understanding of forests in order to use forest resources more efficiently. In order to better understand forest ecosystems we investigated whether a forest's stage of succession affects the food preference within each forest. To test this we arranged several sites of rice, coated in different substances, in forests at different stages of succession. We found a signficant difference in amount of food consumed in each plot, but not a signficant difference in type of food consumed in each plot. The 1954 burn plot had significantly less consumption than the other plots. Overall the consumption of rice decreased as forest age increased. With a better understanding of forest succession, we can preserve Michigan forests.