Seana Walsh

U.S. Forest Service researchers and partners published new findings on how leaf-eating insects affect forest ecosystems worldwide. “The findings of this study provide an improved understanding of the intricate relationship between herbivorous insects and forest ecosystems,” Bernice Hwang, the paper’s lead author and former U.S. Forest Service technician, stated. Hwang and fellow researchers are aware of how large herbivores cycle nutrients in forests. They know much less, however, about how leaf-eating insects impact forest carbon and nutrient cycling. And they were determined to find out. …Chistian Giardina and Nels Johnson of the Pacific Southwest Research Station and other researchers found that insects play a significant role in releasing and cycling vital nutrients in forest ecosystems. This was particularly true for warmer climates like those in tropical forests. [Their findings were published July 17m 2024 in Nature.]