Integrating environmental conditions and functional life-history traits for riparian arthropod conservation planning

Abstract

20River banks are naturally disturbed habitats, in which local flood events and the 21 landscape structure are expected to govern riparian species assemblages. Not solely 22 effects of flooding per se, but also related changes in vegetation structure will affect 23 species' distribution. By elucidating the relationships between species' occurrence and 24 multivariate habitat conditions on a restricted spatial scale, insight into conservation 25 strategies to preserve riparian species is gained. Ordination and grouping methods 26

Effects of habitat and landscape features on grassland Orthoptera on floodplains in the lower reaches of the Tisza River Basin

“…Although the dispersal ability of species is important for the structuring of invertebrate assemblages in fl ooded habitats (Rothenbücher& Schaefer, 2006;Lambeets et al, 2009) before and after fl ooding (Rothenbücher & Schaefer, 2006), we did not fi nd any signifi cant effect of fl ooding on the different mobility trait groups. Instead of active dispersal, Dziock et al (2011) emphasize the importance of passive dispersal ability of orthopterans in fl oodplains.…”

“…However, our results are hard to generalize as the structure and composition of animal assemblages can change rapidly in riparian areas that are frequently fl ooded (Lambeets et al, 2009). Presumably, the results of a study following severe fl ooding would reveal a stronger and more consistent effect of fl ooding.…”

Spider assemblages and dynamics on a seasonal island in the Pripyat River, Belarus

“…they serve as refuges for the invertebrate fauna. The life-history traits of the spider species such as active hunting and air, ground, and water surface dispersal capacity enable spiders to settle in a newly emerged territory (Richter, 1970a;Richter et al, 1971;Lambeets et al, 2008Lambeets et al, , 2009Pétillon et al, 2010).…”

“…Lowering of the water level had a major influence on the increasing spider species diversity on the seasonal island. Lambeets et al (2008Lambeets et al ( , 2009) revealed that diverse groups of arthropods (carabids and spiders) can respond differently to a flood disturbance. Intermediate flooding increased the number of carabid species, while in the case of riparian spiders, rising water levels decreased their species richness.…”

Effect of the colour of pitfall traps on their capture efficiency of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae) and other arthropods

“…Kratochwil & Schwabe, 2001;Lambeets et al, 2008Lambeets et al, , 2009Negro et al, 2009), were most frequently caught in white and yellow coloured traps. Thus, carabid beetles and spiders in open habitats seem to be attracted by bright colours, maybe due to the sharp contrast between the trap and surrounding vegetation/ground and between the trap and possible prey (shown for Cicindelidae by Faasch, 1968;Gebert, 1991).…”