FORMICA_LEPIDOPTERA - Lepidoptera along edge-to-core transects in open and dense forests in the framework of the Forest Microclimate Assessment (FORMICA) project

Sampling event Observation
Latest version published by Ghent University on Jan 22, 2026 Ghent University
Publication date:
January 22, 2026
Published by:
Ghent University
License:
CC0 1.0

Download the latest version of this resource data as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) or the resource metadata as EML or RTF:

Data as a DwC-A file download 128 records in English (52 KB) - Update frequency: not planned
Metadata as an EML file download in English (12 KB)
Metadata as an RTF file download in English (10 KB)

Description

FORMICA_LEPIDOPTERA is a sampling event dataset published by Ghent University. It contains information on 128 sampling events with 1595 validated occurrences of macro-moths in 2020. It contains information on 128 sampling events with 1595 validated occurrences of macro-moths in 2020. This dataset originates from research conducted by Vangansbeke et al. (2025), which investigated the influence of canopy structure and edge-to-interior gradients on macro-moth communities in Belgium and northern France. Light traps were employed for data collection. The study revealed lower moth abundance and species richness at forest edges, and reduced moth populations in open forest stands compared to closed stands. These findings highlight the critical role of functional forest interior habitats and structurally complex, relatively undisturbed forests for moth conservation. Issues with the dataset can be reported at https://github.com/inbo/fornalab-datasets/issues.We have released this dataset to the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero waiver. If you have any questions regarding this dataset, don't hesitate to contact us via the contact information provided in the metadata.This sampling took place in the framework of the Forest Microclimate Assessment (<a href="https://formica.ugent.be/">FORMICA</a>) project and was funded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant FORMICA 757833). This dataset was published with technical support provided by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO).

Data Records

The data in this sampling event resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 128 records.

1 extension data tables also exist. An extension record supplies extra information about a core record. The number of records in each extension data table is illustrated below.

Event (core)
128
Occurrence 
1586

This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.

Versions

The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.

How to cite

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

Vangansbeke P, De Smedt P, Mestdagh C, De Frenne P, Govaert S (2026). FORMICA_LEPIDOPTERA - Lepidoptera along edge-to-core transects in open and dense forests in the framework of the Forest Microclimate Assessment (FORMICA) project. Version 1.4. Ghent University. Samplingevent dataset. https://ipt.inbo.be/resource?r=formica_lepidoptera&v=1.4

Rights

Researchers should respect the following rights statement:

The publisher and rights holder of this work is Ghent University. To the extent possible under law, the publisher has waived all rights to these data and has dedicated them to the Public Domain (CC0 1.0). Users may copy, modify, distribute and use the work, including for commercial purposes, without restriction.

GBIF Registration

This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 4dbc1693-2dff-4d6c-9d42-30f816f8f264.  Ghent University publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by Belgian Biodiversity Platform.

Keywords

Samplingevent; Lepidoptera; macromoths; forest edges; temperate forests; forest structure; Observation

Contacts

Pieter Vangansbeke
  • Metadata Provider ●
  • Originator ●
  • Point Of Contact
Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University
Pallieter De Smedt
  • Originator
Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University
Cyr Mestdagh
  • Originator
Natuurpunt
Pieter De Frenne
  • Originator
Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University
Sanne Govaert
  • Metadata Provider ●
  • Originator
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

Geographic Coverage

Temperate forests in Belgium and Northern-France

Bounding Coordinates South West [49.321, 2.817], North East [50.974, 5.94]

Taxonomic Coverage

The sampling focus for this dataset is macro-moths, i.e., some families of generally larger sized lepidoptera such as noctuidae and geometridae.

Order Lepidoptera

Temporal Coverage

Start Date / End Date 2020-06-17 / 2020-10-23

Project Data

No Description available

Title Forest Microclimate Assessment (FORMICA)
Funding European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant FORMICA 757833

The personnel involved in the project:

Pieter Vangansbeke
  • Point Of Contact
Pieter De Frenne
  • Point Of Contact
Sanne Govaert
  • Point Of Contact

Bibliographic Citations

  1. Vangansbeke P, De Smedt P, Mestdagh C, Govaert S, Meeussen C, Vanneste T, Bonte D, Calders K, Lenoir J, Spicher F, Ponette P, Blondeel H, DeCock E, De Pauw K, De Schuyter W, Dhiedt E, Michael P. Perring M, Sanczuk P, Van Den Berge S, De Frenne P (2025). Negative effects of forest edges and canopy opening on moth communities. Forest Ecology and Management 585: 122661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122661

Additional Metadata

Alternative Identifiers 4dbc1693-2dff-4d6c-9d42-30f816f8f264
https://ipt.inbo.be/resource?r=formica_lepidoptera