Impacts of the exotic beech bark disease complex in Michigan

Exotic forest pests and diseases have the potential to alter species composition and ecological processes in native forests. In previous disturbances that resulted from exotic species invasions such as chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease, the indirect effects of these disturbances has not been well documented. The current invasion of the beech-dominated forests of Michigan's Upper Peninsula provides an opportunity to consider indirect effects of a major forest disturbance.In this thesis, the status of insect conservation within the United States is considered in comparison with the status of bird conservation. The fact that insects are less well represented in conservation efforts leads to concerns about the impacts of exotic species invasions on the conservation status of insect species. Many of these effects likely go undocumented.The positive and negative impacts of beech bark disease on various taxonomic and functional groups of arthropods are reported. These arthropod populations were sampled using baited flight intercept trap, pitfall traps and black light traps. These changes likely reflect the indirect effects of the disturbance to these forests that has resulted from the invasion of the exotic beech bark disease complex.Broader impacts of beech bark disease include impacts on birds and small mammals. These impacts are considered in the context of shift of forest dynamic states that result from the beech bark disease disturbance.