Climate's role in moth diversity varies by species traits and surrounding habitat types

A collaborative study led by the University of Helsinki shows that, in addition to climate, the diversity of moth communities is heavily influenced by land use changes. According to the study, habitat characteristics—which are mainly influenced by land-use—were the main driver of the variation in Finnish moth communities over a 23-year study period. In contrast, the relative importance of the climate depended on the functional traits of the species and the dominant habitat types surrounding the 109 study sites.