The border zone of an intensively grazed pasture as a corridor for spiders araneae

Maelfait, Jean‐Pierre; Keer, R. De

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(90)90053-r

Cited by 52 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…For example, Trochosa terricola, associated with calcareous grassland in the present study, utilises tufts of Festuca ovina, the second most abundant plant species in these upland calcareous grasslands (Lyons et al 2017). Further, in both grassland habitats the ground hunter guild was dominated by Pardosa species, a genus known to also utilise different components of vegetation structure for prey capture, overwintering and refuge from predators (Bristowe 1958;Maelfait and De Keer 1990). In contrast, the ground layer of the heather lacked the structural heterogeneity of the grassland habitats and is reflected by the lower proportion of ground hunters.…”

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 61%

“…The single heath associated species without a particular preference for woodland or heathland, Walckenareia acuminata is a habitat generalist, but again occupies the ground zone (Harvey et al 2002). The greater proportion of ground hunters in grassland habitats reflects the crucial role of refuges within the sward, such as those of tussock forming grasses, in habitat suitability for ground dwelling predators (Woodcock et al 2009;Maelfait and De Keer 1990). For example, Trochosa terricola, associated with calcareous grassland in the present study, utilises tufts of Festuca ovina, the second most abundant plant species in these upland calcareous grasslands (Lyons et al 2017).…”

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 65%

“…McFerran et al (1994) and Maelfait and De Keer (1990) found P. degeeri was an indicator species of less intensively managed sites. Their greater abundance in acid grassland in the current study may reflect the lower effective stocking density in this habitat type, which is a product of sheep grazing behaviour.…”

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Differences in foraging strategies are linked to vegetation structure and disturbance (Alderweireldt 1994;Bell et al 2001;Uetz 1991). Ground hunting species require a heterogeneous sward of open patches to search for prey and taller vegetation for refuge (Maelfait and De Keer 1990), whereas orb web weaving spiders select structurally complex vegetation that provides increased web anchorage points (Dielh et al 2013;Langellotto and Denno 2004;McNett and Rypstra 2000). The differences in foraging strategy, activity and substrate utilisation amongst species make grouping spiders into guilds a useful tool for examining functional differences among habitats (Corcuera et al 2015;Schweiger et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

et al. 2017

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Upland calcareous grassland landscapes are typically comprised of a matrix of calcareous grassland, acid grassland and limestone heath plant communities. This matrix of habitats is produced by a combination of underlying geology, climate and management. These landscapes are typically managed through grazing, with management targeted to maintain particular plant communities in the calcareous grassland habitat, whilst patches of acid grassland and limestone heath are not targeted by conservation management. The biodiversity value of acid grassland and limestone heath patches within the calcareous grassland matrix are unknown. This study provides the first assessment of their biodiversity value by examining aspects of epigeal spider diversity supported by these non-target habitat patches in comparison to calcareous grassland. Spiders were sampled in each habitat from April to August 2014 using pitfall traps across three upland regions in Great Britain. Spider species assemblages were distinct between limestone heath and both grassland types. Distinction in species assemblages are likely due to differences in vegetation structure and microclimate, e.g., humidity, degree of shade. Each habitat type supported several rare species (e.g., Jacksonella falconeri, Agyneta subtilis) revealing the contribution Communicated by David Hawksworth. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10531-017-1488-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. to spider fauna. The distinct spider species assemblage and presence of rare species in limestone heath patches demonstrate their importance in the upland calcareous grassland matrix. This study highlights the value of monitoring biodiversity in non-target habitats within a habitat matrix alongside those that are actively targeted by management.

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Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

et al. 2017

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“…The number (species and individuals) of cursorial wolf spiders (Lycosidae) tends to be greater at the edge than in the middle of fields, with the reverse often being the case for Linyphiidae, (Sunderland, 1987;Klimes & Sechterova, 1989;Glück & Ingrisch, 1990;Maelfait & DeKeer, 1990;Nyffeler & Breene, 1992;HuuselaVeistola, 1998), a family that contains many aeronaut species. Spiders can overwinter at the edges of fields (Maelfait & De Keer, 1990) and there is some potential for improving these habitats for spiders by vegetational diversification to include grass tussocks (Bayram & Luff, 1993) and wild flowers (Harwood et al, 1994;Thomas & Marshall, 1999), and by reducing the intensity of management practices (Feber et al, 1995).…”

Section: The Effect Of Neighbouring Landscape Units On Spider Distribmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of agricultural diversification on the abundance, distribution, and pest control potential of spiders: a review

Sunderland¹,

Samu

2000

Entomologia Exp Applicata

296

210

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A review of the literature showed that spider abundance was increased by diversification in 63% of studies. A comparison of diversification modes showed that spider abundance in the crop was increased in 33% of studies by 'aggregated diversification' (e.g. intercropping and non-crop strips) and in 80% of studies by 'interspersed diversification' (e.g., undersowing, partial weediness, mulching and reduced tillage). It is suggested that spiders tend to remain in diversified patches and that extending the diversification throughout the whole crop (as in interspersed diversification) offers the best prospects for improving pest control. There is little evidence that spiders walk in significant numbers into fields from uncultivated field edges, but diversification at the landscape level serves to foster large multi-species regional populations of spiders which are valuable as a source of aerial immigrants into newly planted crops. There are very few manipulative field studies where the impact of spiders on pests has been measured in diversified crops compared with undiversified controls. It is encouraging, however, that in those few studies an increased spider density resulted in improved pest control. Future work needs are identified.

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Spider webs are efficient collectors of agrochemical spray

et al. 1992

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Spiders are important arthropod predators in natural and agricultural environments. This laboratory study aims to determine the uptake of agrochemical spray by orb webs. Orbs of Araneus diadematus were exposed under controlled conditions to sprays of variable pressure, volume, forward speed and droplet size.Using a tracer dye we determined, by photospectrometry, the amount of spray collected under different conditions which enabled us to calculate the exact volume collected by webs. The spraying treatment simulated four different field practices as well as drift to the field edge. In all cases webs were excellent collectors of spray. Regarding the pure area of the threads, they collected one order of magnitude more of the spray than paper strips did. Moreover, webs were especially efficient in collecting small droplets. We conclude that orb webs (and the spiders who ingest them) are severely exposed to agricultural sprays. Furthermore, due to the uptake of drift, even webs in hedgerows and at field margins may receive high levels of pesticides. The risk of exposing these beneficial arthropods to spray might be reduced by better control of droplet size. * T~ whom reprint requests should be addressed at: Depart-webs Of ArUneuS diadematus Clerck under conditions ment of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, OX1 3PS. Pestic. Sci. 0031-613X/92/$05.00 0 1992 SCI. Printed in Great Britain 47 4 EPS 36

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The border zone of an intensively grazed pasture as a corridor for spiders araneae

Cited by 52 publications

References 10 publications

Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

Effects of agricultural diversification on the abundance, distribution, and pest control potential of spiders: a review

Spider webs are efficient collectors of agrochemical spray

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