Habitat preferences of the grasshopperPsophus stridulus, a charismatic species of submontane pastures

Abstract

Semi‐natural habitats in Europe host a substantial proportion of biodiversity, but they experience biodiversity loss due to ongoing agricultural changes. We regard the Rattle grasshopper (Psophus stridulus) as a charismatic species of species‐rich submontane xerothermic grasslands. To enable conservation of the species and its habitat, we studied the habitat preferences of this formerly abundant grasshopper, now threatened and declining in many European countries. In 2011, we applied capture‐mark‐recapture method to sample adults at four localities (Czech Republic), each divided into two subplots with different management and character of vegetation. In 2012, we carried out a more extensive study on habitat preferences, evaluating 179 grassland patches (24% of them occupied by P. stridulus). For each site, we recorded vegetation characteristics (sward height and density, cover of vegetation components, percentage of bare ground), slope, inclination and agricultural management. We used multistate models in MARK software to analyse survival and movement probabilities between different subplots. Data from the 2012 large‐scale study were analysed by fitting several regression models. The results show that the species preferred south‐facing slopes with sparse, short vegetation and with patches of bare ground. Sward density was the most important predictor of species presence. For species conservation, we recommend controlling succession on the localities by regular management (grazing or cautious mowing) to maintain optimal habitat with sparse sward. We promote P. stridulus as a flagship and umbrella species of species‐rich submontane xerothermic pastures.

Perishing rich, expanding poor: Demography and population genetic patterns in two congeneric butterflies

“…Since the Middle Ages, humans have grazed their livestock on hillsides and ridges during summers and produced winter fodder in the valleys. This formed a fine patchwork of small crop fields, mown meadows, pastures, orchards and remnant woods (Husák et al, 2013; Rada et al, 2017; Spitzer & Ostřanská, 2021). The decline of pastoralism since the 19th century triggered massive reforestation, so that forests, mainly spruce plantations, now cover ≈70% of the region.…”

“…Although marginal with respect to the greater Carpathian ecosystem (Mraz & Ronikier, 2016; Figure 1), the area represents a national stronghold for multiple taxa (cf. Jersakova et al, 2006; Rada et al, 2017; Spitzer, Benes, et al, 2009; Spitzer, Beneš, & Konvička, 2009) owing to the persistence of traditional land use over a large area. Both studied species inhabit mosaics of traditionally managed biotopes and both have declined across Europe (Salz & Fartmann, 2009; Warren, 1995).…”

Leaving uncut refuges during meadow harvesting increases the functional diversity of Orthoptera

“…; Rada et al . ). For effective conservation, proper information is needed on how the processes and biodiversity of these grassland ecosystems are affected by different management systems.…”

“…Seminatural grasslands are considered to be biodiversity hotspots in Central Europe, and some of these habitats have high species richness because traditional lowintensity management increases the diversity of microhabitats (Habel et al 2013). At present, land use intensification (or afforestation) and abandonment are among the main threats to grassland habitats and their biodiversity (Silva et al 2008;Hochkirch et al 2016;Rada et al 2017). For effective conservation, proper information is needed on how the processes and biodiversity of these grassland ecosystems are affected by different management systems.…”

Geographic variation in the habitat preference of a scarce predatory insect: evolutionary and conservation perspectives

“…Nonetheless, the characteristics of an organism's habitat relevant to its preference are important, not only to better understand its evolution but also to facilitate conservation measures for threatened organisms (e.g. Massaro et al ., ; Rada et al ., ) and to understand how they may respond to anthropogenic threats, such as climate change (e.g. Sampaio et al ., , ; Stuhldreher & Fartmann, ).…”