Insect Abundance and Diversity Respond Favorably to Vegetation Communities on Interim Reclamation Sites in a Semi-Arid Natural Gas Field

Natural resource extraction has been linked to habitat loss and declines in biodiversity. Insects, the most diverse abundant animals on Earth, provide a wide array of critical ecosystem services, but are typically understudied terrestrial restoration projects. Here, we examine how insects other arthropods respond reclamation efforts Pinedale Anticline natural gas field semi-arid Wyoming, USA. Vegetation two-year-old well pads seeded with native grass or one-year-old annual forb, Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleomeserrulata), was measured compared reference areas adjacent free software program called SamplePoint. Reference consist primarily decadent sagebrush stands low floral diversity. Insect arthropod communities were also collected assessed for family richness abundance these over two years. Based mass flowering hypothesis, expected higher insect diversity areas. vigor than communities. In year one, 893 from 30 families an additional 12 4 captured. two, 685 17 collected. Reclaimed had significantly both years vegetation types. did not detect significant difference native-grass-treated vs. site. We found bee-plant-treated years, as two. Implications findings discussed manuscript.