László Gimesi

László Gimesi

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 August 2021 in Forests
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CECsaba Béla Eötvös
Csaba Béla Eötvös
AHAnikó Hirka
Anikó Hirka
LGLászló Gimesi
László Gimesi
Gabor L LöveiGabor L Lövei
Gabor L Lövei
CGCsaba Gáspár
Csaba Gáspár
GCGyörgy Csóka
György Csóka
Numerous recent studies report an alarming decrease in diversity, biomass, or abundance of arthropods in various habitats. Given that they are important food for other organisms, the ecological consequences of such a decline could be severe. We used data from the Hungarian Forestry Light Trap Network to examine whether the spring caterpillar biomass showed any long term (23–58 years) declining trend in oak-dominated forests. Light trap data for 43 selected macrolepidopteran species (suitable bird food in the larval stage) from six different locations were used for the estimation of the total available caterpillar biomass. Time series analyses showed strong year-to-year fluctuations, and over all locations and time windows there was an increasing rather than decreasing trend. The increase found at some locations may suggest increasing herbivore pressure and negative impacts on forest health. We conclude that foliage-feeding macrolepidopteran species with spring-developing larvae did not show a drastic decrease in recent decades, and food availability in the long term will not negatively influence the breeding success of birds in such forests.