Biodiversity initiatives in utility corridors may promote climate resiliency: The rise of the fruiting and vine plants and their associated tri-trophic insect interactions

Biodiversty analyses were conducted along utility corridors (electric lines and gas pipelines) and related sites internationally, including Trinidad in the Caribbean, Guam in the pacific and several sites in the US, All sites were sampled for plant biodiversity and plant-invertebrate dynamics in ground and optical surveys following land remediation, removal of invasive plant species, weather-related events and/ or major vegetation initiatives towards removal of non-compatible trees and woody plants. The data indicate that plant and invertebrate dynamics are complex and layered with insect herbivory of fruiting plants being significantly higher compared to grasses and other herbaceous plants. Several homopteran pests and their natural enemies were recovered throughout the sites some of these are pests of higher importance in agriculture. Plants display broad community structure and based on site conditions one or more species may become dominant in local situations. Internationally several species of fruiting and vining plants are becoming more prominent. These data on vegetation and associated insect herbivores and their natural enemies in these managed areas will better inform our land stewardship initiatives as well as help with adjacent considerations especially in high agriculture areas.