Citizen Science/Projects/Metchosin Flying Insect Biomass Project

Fact Sheet

• Faculty: Science
• Department: Biology
• Lead: Dr. Neville Winchester
• Project term: since 2018
• Project website: https://insectmass.metchosinbiodiversity.com/
• Funder: Metchosin Foundation

Project Description

• Aims to establish baseline data on insect populations amid global concerns about declining numbers and the implications for biodiversity, pollination, decomposition, and ecosystem processes
• Uses same methodology as German study that found 75% decline in insect volume over 27 years
• 19 rural Metchosin homeowners collect approximately 500,000 flying insects each season (May-October)
• Uses Malaise passive flight interception traps, emptied weekly by participants
• At least 10 years of collected data are needed to identify meaningful trends
• Dr. Winchester hopes to extend data collection until at least 2060, relying on generational recruitment of participants

Project Publications

1. Nikel, K. (2019). Estimating Flying Insect Biomass and its Spatiotemporal Distribution in Metchosin: Biodiversity on Southern Vancouver Island [University of Victoria]. https://metchosinfoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Thesis-Final-Kennedy-1.pdf

Further Reading

1. Paterson, J. (2021, March 3). Citizen scientists rise to the challenge. https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2021+winchester-citizen-science+news
2. Crozier, N. (2023, December 11). Winchester wins Faculty of Science Award for Staff Excellence—University of Victoria. https://www.uvic.ca/science/home/news/current/winchester-wins-faculty-of-science-award-for-staff-excellence.php

Author: Christian Schmidt (talk)