Influence of abandonment on syrphid assemblages in mountainous meadows

Hussain, Raja Imran; Walcher, Ronnie; Brandl, David G.; Jernej, Ines; Arnberger, Arne; Zaller, Johann G.; Frank, Thomas

doi:10.1111/jen.12482

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Similarly, Ponge et al (2013) found endogeic earthworms as K-selected species to be better adapted to disturbances than r-selected anecic species with a higher sensitivity. This may emphasize the marginally higher density of endogeic earthworms in managed sites, which are disturbed by mowing (Ivask et al, 2012). As soil properties between the abandoned and managed meadows were similar, it can be suggested that characteristics of vegetation may have caused the differences in earthworm populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

et al. 2019

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Abstract. Traditionally managed mountain grasslands are biodiversity hotspots in central Europe. However, socio-economic trends in agriculture during the last decades have changed farming practices, leaving steep and remote sites abandoned. Especially the abandonment of meadows is well known to directly affect plant and insect diversity. However, not much is known about the effects on soil processes and soil biota. To assess this, we studied four extensively managed (mown once a year, no fertilization) and four abandoned (no mowing, no fertilization) semi-dry meadows in a mountain region in Austria. Plant species richness, plant cover, plant traits, plant biomass, litter decomposition (tea bag index), and earthworm species richness and density were assessed. Additionally, soil temperature, moisture and electrical conductivity were measured. Results showed that managed meadows contained more plant species than abandoned meadows (118 vs. 93 species, respectively). We also observed different plant species assemblages between the two management types. In managed meadows, hemirosette and ruderal plant species were more abundant, while more plant species without rosettes and a higher plant necromass were found in abandoned meadows. Additionally, decomposition rate was higher in abandoned meadows. There was a trend towards higher earthworm densities in managed meadows, but there was no difference in earthworm species richness. We conclude that meadow management has effects on both aboveground vegetation and belowground biota and processes. Both abandoned and extensively managed meadows were important to sustain overall biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the study region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

et al. 2019

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“…The managed and abandoned grasslands studied differed greatly in physiognomy and flowering phenology, which might also affect insects (Walcher et al 2017;Hussain et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have investigated the ecological consequences of grassland abandonment (Moog et al 2002;Niedrist et al 2009;Walcher et al 2017;Hussain et al 2018). However, little information is available on concurrent changes of soil properties (Köhler et al 2001;Oelmann et al 2017;Zeller et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological responses of semi-natural grasslands to abandonment: case studies in three mountain regions in the Eastern Alps

et al. 2019

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Semi-natural, extensively managed, grasslands are among the most species-rich agroecosystems in Europe. However, they are threatened by abandonment. We investigated the response of semi-natural grasslands to cessation of mowing at ten sites in three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Switzerland and Austria. We assessed vegetation characteristics, topsoil properties and microbially mediated soil processes by comparing once-a-year mowed with adjacent long-term abandoned grasslands on semi-dry, nutrient-poor, baserich soils. Plant litter decomposition was determined using standardized substrates (Tea Bag Index). Soil microbial community composition was assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Abandonment altered floristic composition by replacing shade-intolerant or low-growing grassland species, in particular character species of the alliance Bromion erecti, with medium-to tall-sized grasses (e.g. Brachypodium pinnatum) and tall herbs (e.g. Laserpitium latifolium). Time since abandonment had an influence on the magnitude of successional changes after abandonment. Cessation of mowing increased above-ground phytomass but decreased plant species richness and evenness. Abandonment increased soil microbial biomass, promoted litter decomposition and led to an increased soil organic carbon, C:N ratio, and inorganic N supply. Our findings also showed that abandoned grasslands dominated by grasses remained shrub-and treeless for several decades.

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“…In order to increase sampling efficacy, we assessed the number of hoverfly species and individuals by sweep net sampling and an observation plot method (Hussain et al, 2018). Especially the observation plot method has been shown to increase the number of collected species and individuals (Hussain et al, 2018).…”

Section: Hoverfly Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of management cessation on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) across Austrian and Swiss mountain meadows

et al. 2020

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Abstract. Extensively managed grasslands, particularly in mountain regions, are considered to be one of the most diverse agroecosystems worldwide. Their decline due to land use abandonment affects the diversity of both plants and associated pollinators. Extensive grasslands constitute an important habitat type and food resource for hoverflies (syrphids); however, not much is known about the effects of abandonment on this important pollinator group. In the present study, we investigated how abandonment affects species richness and the composition of syrphids in mountainous meadows. We recorded the richness of vascular plants, vegetation cover, flower cover and the surrounding landscape to examine whether and how syrphids are affected by plant and landscape parameters. We investigated the species richness, abundance and species composition of syrphids by sweep netting and by using observation plots in 18 semidry meadows across two Austrian regions and one Swiss region. For each region, we selected three meadows abandoned for more than 20 years and three annually mown non-fertilized meadows. Abandonment or mowing had no significant effect on the total number of syrphid species or individuals or on the number of aphidophagous and non-aphidophagous species and individuals. However, the total number of species and the number of non-aphidophagous species significantly increased with the increasing number of plant species. The surrounding landscape and other plant parameters showed no association with the assessed syrphid parameters. Although syrphids were unaffected by abandonment, higher syrphid species numbers in response to a higher plant richness in annual mown meadows suggest that the management of mountain meadows is beneficial in preserving syrphid richness.

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Influence of abandonment on syrphid assemblages in mountainous meadows

Cited by 13 publications

References 40 publications

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

Ecological responses of semi-natural grasslands to abandonment: case studies in three mountain regions in the Eastern Alps

Effects of management cessation on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) across Austrian and Swiss mountain meadows

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