Response of Orthoptera communities to succession in alluvial pine woodlands

Helbing, Felix; Blaeser, Tim Peter; Löffler, Franz; Fartmann, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s10841-014-9632-x

Cited by 31 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Tropek et al ., ; Zulka et al ., ), as found in the Bromus plots. Litter accumulation leads to cooler microclimatic conditions (Stoutjesdijk & Barkman, ) with negative effects on xerothermophilous organisms (Fartmann et al ., ; Helbing et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The invasion of Bromus erectus alters species diversity of vascular plants and leafhoppers in calcareous grasslands

Poniatowski

Hertenstein²,

Raude³

et al. 2018

Insect Conserv Diversity

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1. The most common mechanism of biological invasions is an increase in competition, which usually results in the loss of biodiversity. The invasion of Bromus erectus (Syn. Bromopsis erecta) in calcareous grasslands of western and central Europe is well-documented. Although, it is largely unknown to what extent this development affects biodiversity.2. In this study, we analysed the effects of B. erectus invasion on vascular plant and leafhopper assemblages of calcareous grasslands. At each of the 15 randomly selected sites, we compared one plot with stands of Bromus (presence) and one without (absence) (paired sampling design).3. The invasion of B. erectus affected vegetation structure as well as vascular plant and leafhopper assemblages. Despite similar abiotic site characteristics, Bromus plots had a higher turf height, vegetation density, and litter cover. Additionally, we recorded a much lower species richness in Bromus plots than in absence plots in all analysed groups of vascular plants. A similar pattern was found for leafhoppers. Absence plots exhibited a higher species richness of habitat and diet specialists than Bromus plots. The overall abundance of all leafhopper species was highest in presence plots, whereas that of diet specialists peaked in absence plots.4. We conclude that the ongoing invasion of B. erectus will lead to a strong structural homogenisation with negative effects on plant and insect diversity. One possible management tool might be a goal-driven rough grazing with sheep especially in spring when B. erectus is much more palatable than in summer and autumn.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The invasion of Bromus erectus alters species diversity of vascular plants and leafhoppers in calcareous grasslands

Poniatowski

Hertenstein²,

Raude³

et al. 2018

Insect Conserv Diversity

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“…This species group includes HNV farmland species (e.g., Decticus verrucivorus , Omocestus rufipes and Psophus stridulus ), depending on the maintenance of low‐intensity land use (Maas et al, 2002), and additionally, species inhabiting dynamic, alpine river systems (e.g., Bryodemella tuberculata , Chorthippus pullus and Tetrix tuerki ). In Central Europe, the few remaining habitats of the latter species group are embedded in the traditionally managed alpine landscape (Helbing, Blaeser, Löffler, & Fartmann, 2014; Fischer et al, 2020). Their SFI values are correspondingly high.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative impacts of land‐use and climate change on grasshopper range shifts have changed over time

Poniatowski

Beckmann²,

Löffler

et al. 2020

Global Ecol. Biogeogr.

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“…A further consideration is the dynamics of the landscape, which change over time, with, for example German grasshopper diversity strongly associated with community succession of alluvial pine woodland and steppe grasslands (Fartmann et al, 2012;Helbing et al, 2014). The passing of time also leads to changes in spatial differences in vegetation and soil, including in the agro-natural landscape of the CFR (Adu-Acheampong et al, 2016, 2017.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traits and land transformation change the fortunes of grasshopper generalists vs. specialists in a biodiversity hotspot

Adu-Acheampong

Samways

2019

Biosys. divers.

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Understanding the link between species traits and how they use various elements in a heterogeneous agro-natural landscape is essential for conservation planning. Land-use and season affect the availability of resources for herbivorous insects such as grasshoppers. Also, the level at which these herbivores utilise these resources on the landscape depend on their traits. We focus here on the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot, which is rich in both endemic plants and narrow-range grasshoppers. We assessed dispersion patterns and abundance of the grasshopper species across the agro-natural mosaic, while specifically focusing on species traits and how they change over two seasons (spring and summer). We found that land-use and species traits played major roles in grasshopper spatial dispersion across the landscape, with season a highly significant variable. Not surprisingly, highly mobile, generalist feeders were abundant and widely dispersed across the landscape. Importantly however, this was especially the case in late season, when they could take advantage of high plant productivity in the vineyards. In contrast, low mobility, specialist feeders were limited to occupying only natural fynbos vegetation in both seasons. Generally, the highly mobile generalists benefitted in two ways: occupation of transformed areas, and receiving a population boost late season. This was not the case for the low-mobility specialists, which were doubly disadvantaged: not able to move far, and lacking their specific host plants in the transformed areas. From a conservation perspective, our results indicate the importance of improving functional connectivity using natural fynbos for conservation of the endemic specialists, while the generalists can largely look after themselves across this agro-natural mosaic.

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Response of Orthoptera communities to succession in alluvial pine woodlands

Cited by 31 publications

References 33 publications

The invasion of Bromus erectus alters species diversity of vascular plants and leafhoppers in calcareous grasslands

The invasion of Bromus erectus alters species diversity of vascular plants and leafhoppers in calcareous grasslands

Relative impacts of land‐use and climate change on grasshopper range shifts have changed over time

Traits and land transformation change the fortunes of grasshopper generalists vs. specialists in a biodiversity hotspot

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