Drastic decline of extensive grassland species in Central Europe since 1950: Forester moths of the genusJordanita(Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae) as a type example

Abstract

The decline of biodiversity in general and of insect diversity in particular has been recognized as a major environmental problem in recent years. In this study, we analyze the distribution and the decline of populations of forester moths of the genus Jordanita in Central Europe since 1950 as a type example of the loss of grassland biodiversity, and discuss potential drivers causing this decline. Based on the extensive work in museums and private collections, a literature review and own observations, and including data as far back as 1834, this genus helps to understand the deeper reasons of insect population and biodiversity decline, as the well investigated six Central European species cover a broad range of extensive grassland habitats (fens to low‐production grassland and xerothermic steppes) from low altitudes to high alpine meadows. Therefore, they monitor processes relevant also to other, less investigated grassland species. Although there are differences in research intensity over time and in different natural areas, we show that in the whole of Central Europe, the populations of all six investigated Jordanita species broke down massively in the past decades, both in terms of number of populated habitats (about 400 recorded localities after the year 2000 compared with a total number of about 1600 at all times, cumulated for all six species) and in terms of number of individuals. On the other hand, some natural areas on a regional scale have more or less maintained their Jordanita populations, due to conservative land use and due to the early implementation of conservation and protection management plans. The reasons of decline are manifold and monitored in detail by the different species with their different habitat requirements. They comprise (1) loss of habitats due to land use changes (both intensification and abandonment), (2) loss of habitats due to urbanization and construction work, (3) loss of habitat networks to cope with small‐scale extinction events, (4) more intensive growth of grass at the expense of other plants in otherwise undisturbed habitats due to fertilization through the air (increased nitrogen levels due to human activities) and (5) use of pesticides.

Burdur İli farklı anason (Pimpinella anisum L.) ve rezene (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) agro- ekosistemlerinde epigean Hexapoda türlerinin biyolojik çeşitlilik parametrelerinin hesaplanması

“…As a result of transformation of the agro-ecosystems into urban areas, simulations until 2035 have showed a continuous decline of farmers in all scenarios [7]. Many scientific studies have been conducted on the negative effects of human activities on biodiversity [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Evaluation at The Upper Taxon Level of Biological Diversity Parameters of Epigean Species in Mayer Lemon Agro-Ecosystems Used Different Application

“…Ecological destruction observed in all living organisms living in freshwater, saltwater, and terrestrial ecosystems and even in the inanimate environment adversely affects the species living in these areas and harms biological diversity. There have been many studies conducted abroad on the negative effects of human activities on biodiversity nowadays (Abudulai, et al, 2022;Ballal, et al, 2022;Franson & Tekla, 2022;Markl et al, 2022;Marschalek & Deutschman, 2022;Outhwaite, et al, 2022;Ríos-Touma, et al, 2022;Shane, et al, 2022;Soler, et al, 2022;Storch, et al, 2022). As an example of the studies on "insect biodiversity and investigating the possibilities of using insects as biological indicators in sustainable land use", the first scientific study in our country can be cited as the doctoral thesis of Dr. Gökhan Aydın under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Erdal Şekeroğlu and Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kazak (Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Adana) (Aydın, 2006).…”

Editorial: Conserving cultural ecosystems: the biodiversity and ecosystem service provision of semi-natural anthropogenic ecosystems versus natural ecosystems

“…These multifunctional ecosystem values declined when grazing was excluded for long periods and biodiversity-rich grasslands were replaced by more homogeneous woody vegetation. The knock-on impact on insect diversity from the loss of grassland diversity has been shown across central Europe (Markl et al, 2022).…”