Auchenorrhyncha communities as indicators of disturbance in grasslands (Insecta, Hemiptera)—a case study from the Elbe flood plains (northern Germany)

Conservation of Grassland Leafhoppers: A Brief Review

“…Densities in grassland frequently exceed 1000 individuals per m 2 (Waloff 1980;Nickel and Hildebrandt 2003) and have been found to reach 8500 per m 2 within Juncus tussocks (Rothschild 1966). More than forty species have been found to occur in single plots in meadows and pastures (Nikusch 1976;Nickel and Achtziger 1999).…”

“…cutting frequency), with different responses by generalists and specialists (e.g. Novotny´1991; Achtziger 1999, 2005;Nickel and Hildebrandt 2003). In fact, certain species are especially associated with, and are therefore useful indicators of, disturbance (Andrzejewska 1962).…”

“…Several studies show negative effects on species occurrence, community structure and diversity due to agricultural intensification or intensive management practices, e.g. mowing, grazing and fertilization (Morris 1981a;Prestidge 1982;Sedlacek et al 1988;Novotny´1991;Nickel and Hildebrandt 2003;Nickel and Achtziger 2005). In most cases, this operates through direct and indirect changes to the composition and structure of the vegetation (including loss of food plants) and associated micro-climatic conditions.…”

Windborne migration of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) over Britain

“…Denno et al, 1991Denno et al, , 1996Denno et al, , 2001Novotný, 1994b), with the proviso that species associated with three-dimensional habitats (trees, tall herbs) tend to exhibit monomorphic macroptery because of the need for wings to negotiate around the complex host-plant architecture (Waloff, 1983;Denno et al, 2001). The species regularly encountered in aerial samples (Table 4) tend to be common 'r-selected' opportunists, characteristically found in disturbed grasslands or in other early-successional and ephemeral habitats (Morris, 1990a;Nickel, 2003;Nickel & Hildebrandt, 2003). They are also characterized by low food specifi city -polyphagous species are known to be associated with transient habitats, unlike monophagous specialists, which prefer more stable ones (Novotny, 1994a;Nickel, 2003).…”

Suction sampling of grassland invertebrates using the G-vac: Quantifying and avoiding peripheral suction effects

“…This area, equal to the cross-sectional area of the nozzle, is then regarded as the basic sample unit, although often a series of such "touchdowns" are pooled to give a single sample of larger area (e.g. Macleod et al, 1994;Samu & Sarospataki, 1995;Bell et al, 2000;Nickel & Hildebrandt, 2003). A third approach has been to sample within an open ended cylinder placed on the ground immediately before sampling (e.g.…”