A Literature Review Analyzing Insect Adaptations to Fire

A Literature Review Analyzing Insect Adaptations to Fire
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A Literature Review Analyzing Insect Adaptations to Fire
Introduction
It is often argued that fire serves as an environmental filter in that it selects functional traits and species, and reduces the variability of species within the ecosystem, affecting the function of the ecosystem as well as underlying services (Moretti et al., 2010). Fire has been a common phenomenon on Earth, and it has been influential on the development of life on Earth. Both animal and plant species have adapted to survive in high temperatures through a natural selection process. Through this process, animal and plant species have been changing their shape, size, as well as their ability to survive in various environmental conditions. The implication of this is that fire has been playing an integral role in shaping various ecosystems. In this regard, Parker, Clancy and Mathiasen (2006) assert that insects and fire are integrated, natural of North America’s western forests. Indeed, many organisms have been able to develop the necessary characteristics that facilitate them to survive in either the absence or presence of fire. In this regard, it is worth noting that the extent of such adaptations varies in accordance with the type of ecosystem in question.
The disturbance that fire causes in the ecosystem is highly significant in sustaining, shaping and promoting some succession stages, and it contributes greatly to the living systems’ dynamic nature (Thom, Daniels, Kobziar & Colburn, 2015). While some ecosystems have evolved greatly in the presence of fire, other ecosystems require fire in order to survive. On the same note, some organisms require fire in order to fulfill a particular requirement in their life cycle. For instance, some insects require fire so that it can create their habitats by burning or damaging trees. Fire can be beneficial to some insects at the expense of other insects. In this case, some insects are actually attracted to fire. Generally, the impact of fire on various forms of insects could have enormous implications for the general ecosystem. Indeed, some researchers propose that both pathogen and insect outbreaks occur mainly due to fire suppression (Engstrom, 2010). This research paper seeks to critically analyze insect adaptations to fire in terms of causes and implications for the future; possible solutions; and the positive and negative impact these solutions will have on local, regional, and international level.
Impact of Fire on Insects
Engstrom (2010) recognized three major extents on which fire impacts on insects. First, fire can result in death or injury to individual organisms, fire cam motivates organisms to move into or from the burned region. Toxic impacts of smoke, high temperatures, as well as oxygen depletion can result in impairment or mortality of organisms. While the habitat near the burnt can provide water, shelter, and food for some insects, other insects find the burned habitat to be suitable for their survival as it provides favorable conditions for them. As such, these insects take advantage of the prevailing post-fire conditions. Second, despite the...