Effects of livestock grazing on rangeland grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) abundance

O'neill, Kevin M.; Olson, Bret E.; Rolston, Marni G.; Wallander, Roseann T.; Larson, Deanna; Seibert, Catherine E.

doi:10.1016/s0167-8809(03)00136-1

Cited by 88 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Our results confirmed that abundances of orthopteran assemblages are highly influenced by land use (Guido and Chemini 2000, Kruess and Tscharntke 2002, Knop et al 2006, Kenyeres and Cservenka 2014. This can be deduced clearly from the fact that the choice of habitat by orthopterans is mainly influenced by vegetation structure (O'Neill et al 2003).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Effects of different mowing regimes on orthopterans of Central-European mesic hay meadows

Kenyeres¹,

Szentirmai²

2017

JOR

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Method, frequency and date of mowing influence the presence and population size of Orthoptera species, which show strong dependence on the vertical structure of grasslands. Responses of orthopteran assemblages to the effects of various mowing regimes applied to different parts of the same habitat are still not fully understood. In this study, we asked how different mowing regimes (mowing in May; mowing in September; mowing in May and September; abandonment of mowing) influence species richness, Shannon diversity and density of local orthopteran assemblages on a small spatial scale in Central European mesic hay meadows. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the type of meadow management that is most suitable for preserving local orthopteran assemblages. The date of mowing had no significant overall effect on species richness, density or diversity of grasshoppers. However, grasshopper species richness and Shannon diversity were reduced immediately after mowing (in June sampling of sites mown in May), and rose later in the season. Grasshopper density was low on abandoned sites which were not mowed in the last ten years and there was a negative correlation between orthopteran density and vegetation height. Nymphs, on the other hand, showed elevated density just after mowing which was reduced later in the season. Life forms of the orthopteran assemblages showed dominance of pratinicol species. Silvicol species were found only in abandoned habitats, while arbusticol species were found only on abandoned patches and patches mown in September. Results showed that the long-term preservation of natural orthopteran assemblages in mesic hay meadows would benefit from landuse practices which are diversified spatially and temporally, as practiced in traditional extensive management regimes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Effects of different mowing regimes on orthopterans of Central-European mesic hay meadows

Kenyeres¹,

Szentirmai²

2017

JOR

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“…Kruess and Tscharntke (2002) suggested that insect diversity increases in the following order: 'intensively grazed (5.5 cattle/ha) > extensively grazed (1.4 cattle/ha) > short-term ungrazed (ungrazed for 3 years) > long-term ungrazed (ungrazed for more than 5 years)' . In Montana (USA), grazing and trampling encroach upon grasshoppers' food and influence the physical structure of vegetation and the soil surface which, in turn, impacts the thermal environment and oviposition sites (O'Neill et al 2003). O'Neill et al (2003) conclude that most grasshoppers are negatively influenced by these stresses.…”

Section: Livestock Effects On Orthopteramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…' In European semi-natural grasslands, livestock grazing is a common practice which maintains a high floristic species richness (van Klink et al 2016). However, grazing can alter habitat quality and negatively affect invertebrates (Ma et al 2017) by reducing food abundance and influencing microclimate and oviposition sites (O'Neill et al 2003). Development of vegetation in grassland varies in response to habitat factors and management (Sprangers 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The response of Orthoptera to grazing on flood defense embankments in Europe

Fargeaud¹,

Gardiner²

2018

JOR

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European flood defense embankments form an excellent habitat for Orthoptera. To be effective against storms, these vegetated earth embankments have to be managed by grazing or mowing. However, grazing can impact invertebrates such as grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera). This management can lead to dispersal toward undisturbed grassland and reductions in the quality of habitat, food resources and oviposition sites. In most cases, orthopteran insects require heterogeneous vegetation patches with swards of varying height. The impact of grazing depends on the type of livestock; it is very important to choose appropriate animals, timing and intensity. Sheep grazing in late summer (September-October) at a moderate intensity seems to be favorable for Orthoptera. If grazing is carefully monitored, it can promote Orthoptera conservation while maintaining flood defense integrity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different studies have found that rotational grazing may be beneficial for orthopteran communities whereas total absence of grazing may be negative for orthopteran populations in other cases (Gebeyehu and Samways 2003, Fonderflick et al 2014). It is worth mentioning that within a particular area, grazing may also have positive or negative effects on orthopteran populations depending on the species (Jepson-Innes and Bock 1989, Fielding and Brusven 1995, O'Neill et al 2003.To test the impact of grazing on grasshopper abundance, we focused on the populations of a specialist species, Mioscirtus wagneri (Kittary, 1859) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) inhabiting continental hypersaline habitats both around hypersaline lagoons and in salted ground prairies of the plant association Suadetum brevifoliae (Cirujano-Bracamonte 1981). The species feeds and obtains shelter from alkali seepweed (Suaeda vera) bushes (Cordero et al 2007b, Ortego et al 2010.…”

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confidence: 99%

Influence of grazing on populations of the specialist grasshopper Mioscirtus wagneri inhabiting hypersaline habitats in La Mancha Region, Central Spain

Aguirre¹,

Ortego²

2018

JOR

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Grazing is an influential land use that has introduced profound changes in worldwide landscapes, ecosystems and their species. In this paper, we analysed the influence of grazing on the presence and abundance of the endangered Mioscirtus wagneri, a monophagous grasshopper inhabiting inland hypersaline ecosystems in Spain and showing a marked spatial and genetic fragmentation. Using count transects, we analyzed the presence and abundance of this grasshopper in relation to specific vegetation cover and the abundance of goat and sheep droppings, considering this variable as a surrogate of livestock activity and grazing impact. We found that both the presence and abundance of M. wagneri were positively related to the cover of its host plant Suaeda vera and negatively associated with the abundance of droppings. We conclude that dropping abundance is a useful parameter to assess livestock impact and evaluate habitat quality and the conservation status of M. wagneri and many other singular species of macroinvertebrates inhabiting inland hypersaline ecosystems. We highly recommend the use of electric shepherd fencing around all sensitive and protected areas where inland hypersaline ecosystems are present in order to deter livestock. We also suggest intensive educational campaigns for farmers and shepherds, revealing the ecological importance of these singular and unique habitats for rare and exclusive species like M. wagneri and many other coexisting plants and invertebrates. Key wordsCastilla-La Mancha, conservation, grazing management, inland hypersaline ecosystems, livestock droppings, Suaeda vera IntroductionHistorical and current grazing activities are an important influence on the landscape and, thus, on plant and animal community composition (González Bernáldez 1981, Blondel andAronson 1999). However, intense grazing activities may alter the soil, exerting a negative impact on species biodiversity (Fleischner 1994). Intensive browsing, trampling, and resting on the ground can have a negative impact on the vegetation cover, increasing the proportion of bare soil and aggravating the effects of periods of drought (Ledesma 2000, Gardiner andHaines 2008). However, other studies have found an opposite effect (Kisbenedek 1995, Pocco et al. 2010. In fact, grazing activities can have opposite effects on the biodiversity of both plant and animal communities depending on grazing management, intensity and the characteristics of the affected area (e.g. Rook and Tallowin 2003, Cingolani et al. 2005, Branson et al. 2006, Debano 2006, Dumont et al. 2009, Krausman et al. 2009, Báldi et al. 2013. Grazing contributes to habitat heterogeneity for Orthoptera when moderate (Fartmann et al. 2012). However, the influence of grazing on the abundance of orthopterans varies with grazing management and season (Gebeyehu and Samways 2003). Different studies have found that rotational grazing may be beneficial for orthopteran communities whereas total absence of grazing may be negative for orthopteran populations in other cases (Gebeye...

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Effects of livestock grazing on rangeland grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) abundance

Cited by 88 publications

References 29 publications

Effects of different mowing regimes on orthopterans of Central-European mesic hay meadows

Effects of different mowing regimes on orthopterans of Central-European mesic hay meadows

The response of Orthoptera to grazing on flood defense embankments in Europe

Influence of grazing on populations of the specialist grasshopper Mioscirtus wagneri inhabiting hypersaline habitats in La Mancha Region, Central Spain

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