부산대학교 도서관

There is growing evidence showing that insect diversity is rapidly decaying due to direct and indirect impacts derived from climate change. However, most studies have only focused on how current and future changes in climate may affect insect diversity, physiology and behavior, neglecting their numerous biotic interactions with different organisms. In view of the lack of a conceptual framework for this subject, this chapter summarizes the current knowledge on insect biotic interactions and the potential cascading effects associated with their biotic interactions with different trophic levels. The chapter starts by synthesizing how biotic interactions involving insects are threatened by climate change, which could generate cascading effects, focusing on both antagonistic (i.e., herbivory, granivory and host–parasite systems) and mutualistic (i.e., pollination and seed dispersal) relationships. The chapter discusses the potential mechanisms that should buffer cascading effects trough different trophic levels and how they can maintain ecosystem integrity and functioning. Finally, the authors identify current knowledge gaps and propose future directions in the study of cascading effects in insect biotic interactions in the context of climate change.