Do current restoration practices allow for invertebrate recolonization? A chronosequence of ground dwelling invertebrates on reclaimed oil and gas fields in the Pinedale Anticline

Wyoming’s economy is largely supported by energy and mineral extraction and due to the vast and growing nature of natural resource extraction; Wyoming rangelands are increasingly becoming fragmented ecosystems. The degraded land is reclaimed with the intent to restore the health, integrity and sustainability of the ecosystem. The majority of current restoration practices address plant communities and the wildlife that use that land as a habitat but does not necessarily address community structure of other keystone species, such as insects. We addressed ground dwelling invertebrate recolonization utilizing a chronosequence on oil and gas well pads in the Pinedale Anticline, Wyoming. Invertebrates were trapped using randomized pitfall traps on nine different well pads of varying ages of final reclamation. Final reclamation was between 1 to 25 years ago. Invertebrate density may follow a modified Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis if current reclamation methods are successful. Many invertebrates such as ants and beetles are imperative for survival of other important wildlife. If ground dwelling invertebrate populations are not returning to the landscape, there are serious repercussions for the ecological integrity of the reclaimed site.