Butterfly, spider, and plant communities in different land-use types in Sardinia, Italy

Abstract

Butterfly, spider, and plant species richness and diversity were investigated in five different land-use types in Sardinia. In 16 one-hectare plots we measured a set of 15 environmental variables to detect the most important factors determining patterns of variation in species richness, particularly endemicity. The studied land-use types encompassed homogeneous and heterogeneous shrublands, shrublands with tree-overstorey, Quercus forest and agricultural land. A total of 30 butterfly species, among which 10 endemics, and 50 spider (morpho)species, were recorded. Butterfly and spider community composition differed according to land-use type. The main environmental factors determining diversity patterns in butterflies were the presence of flowers and trees. Spiders reacted mainly to habitat heterogeneity and land-use type. Traditional land-use did not have adverse effects on the diversity of butterflies, spiders, or plants. The number of endemic butterfly species per treatment increased with total species richness and altitude. Butterfly and spider richness did not co-vary across the five land-use types. Butterflies were, however, positively associated with plant species richness and elevation, whereas spiders were not. Conclusively, butterflies did not appear to be good indicators for spider diversity and species richness at the studied sites.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems

“…Also, most of the M. cypricola butterflies in grassland habitats were recorded while they were resting on the shrub Pistacia lentiscus. It appears that the endemic butterflies of Cyprus prefer to use heterogeneous grassland and shrubland habitats, which has also been shown in Sardinian endemics (Grill et al, 2005). If we look at non-endemic species in Cyprus, many of the Lycaenidae, Pieridae and Satyridae species prefer shrubland habitats especially when resting and nectaring (Makris, 2003;Özden et al, 2008).…”

“…A study on priority sites for conservation of European butterflies showed that threatened butterfly species are present mainly in alpine/subalpine grassland, dry grassland and humid grassland areas (van Swaay & Warren, 2006). Other research indicates that Lycaenids are known to fly preferably in rather open habitats, such as flowery and grassy meadows (Grill et al, 2005). These grassland habitats are degraded by development pressures and changes in mountain grassland management regimes (Grill et al, 2002).…”

“…Butterflies are popular indicator species for ecologists and conservationists, because they are charismatic, and relatively easy to identify and sample (Ulrich & Buszko, 2003). Butterflies are commonly used as important ecological indicators for biodiversity measures in various ecosystems (Beccaloni & Gaston, 1995;Lewis et al, 1998;Dover et al, 2000;Grill et al, 2005;Özden et al, 2008). Despite this international research effort on butterflies, there is still a paucity of research on the ecology of endemic butterfly species in Cyprus.…”

Correlations between landscape attributes and ecological traits of Lepidoptera communities in olive groves

“…Shannon's index was selected as a measure of diversity as it is widely used in ecological studies (Grill et al, 2005;Simon et al, 2007) and not very sensitive to rare species and sample size (Magurran, 1988). Mobility ranges and fundamental ecological categories proposed by Balletto & Kudrna (1985) were used in the calculations.…”

Carbon storage of Mediterranean grasslands

“…Because many plants and animals are exclusively linked to such habitats, grasslands have a prominent biogeographical and conservation value (Wallis de Vries & al., 2002;Grill & al., 2005;Pärtel & al., 2005;Öckinger & Smith, 2007). Most temperate and Mediterranean European grasslands have a secondary origin, and the intensity and frequency of human disturbance, together with the heterogeneous pedoclimatic conditions of European countries, have generated local grassland communities that differ substantially in structure and species composition (Tuba & Kaligaricˇ, 2008).…”