Yusuf Ahmed

Analyzing Moth Biodiversity and Abundance at Vlei Preserve: A Comparative Study of Wetland Ecosystems in New York

Abstract

Moths are important pollinators and serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Globally, moth populations are declining by 69% since 1970, with habitat loss, pesticide use, light pollution and climate change being identified as the major contributing factors (WWF, 2022; Wagner, 2020). This study investigates changes in moth biodiversity and species abundance at Vlei Preserve, Rhinebeck, NY, using light traps and species identification through iNaturalist. Data was collected from July to August 2024, and a comparative analysis was conducted using historical sightings from wetlands in New Paltz and Rhinebeck, NY. Two-factor ANOVA without replication was used to assess differences across genera and years to evaluate biodiversity trends. Results showed significant effects of both genus (p=0.0033) and year (p<0.0001), showing fluctuation in moth populations. Species richness declined from 2020 to 2024 showing the potential impact of environmental changes. Observations taken suggest varying species responses to environmental stressors, certain genera showed more resilience than others genera. The decline in moth populations occurred alongside an increase in iNaturalist observations, showing that reduced sightings were likely driven by ecological factors rather than decreased reporting. While limitations like weather variability, inconsistent data collection, and limited study duration may have influenced the results, findings are consistent with broader biodiversity loss trends (Hill et al., 2021). Future research could include extended monitoring, additional environmental variables, and expanded area comparisons to provide more insight. Understanding these patterns can support conservation initiatives directly aimed at mitigating the factors leading to moth population decline and maintaining ecological balance.