Invertebrate impacts on ecosystem services under climate change
Invertebrates have known impacts on ecosystem services, and these impacts are likely to change as invertebrates respond to climate change. In this workshop, we aim to use the breadth of knowledge and diversity of sites in the LTER network to conceptualize the impacts that invertebrates have on ecosystem services, and how these may be altered by climate change. Invertebrates impact ecosystem services both directly (e.g. pollination, pest and disease control, water pollution, decomposition, and recreation) and indirectly through their consumption of primary producers (e.g. carbon sequestration, food, fiber, bio-fuel, bio-chemicals). However, as invertebrate populations respond to climate change, their impacts to ecosystem services will likely change. We plan to use the first hour of the workshop for brainstorming and information sharing about research occurring at different sites that addresses this topic. In the second hour of the workshop, we plan to develop a conceptual model of the direct and indirect impacts of invertebrates on ecosystem services, and consider how these impacts may change with a changing climate. Inclusion of researchers from all LTER sites will improve the strength of our conceptual model by facilitating the exchange of insights about invertebrate impacts on ecosystem services across taxonomic groups and biomes.