The response of Orthoptera to grazing on flood defense embankments in Europe

Fargeaud, Kimberley; Gardiner, Tim

doi:10.3897/jor.27.25183

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Less direct mortality occurs through grazing (Chiste et al 2016), but the response varies depending on the grazing species (Fargeaud and Gardiner 2018) and the considered Orthoptera species (Rada et al 2014). Grazing animals move relatively slowly and often gather in patches, thus grasshopper species are able to migrate to ungrazed parts (Chiste et al 2016;Löffler et al 2019).…”

Section: Implications For Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Orthoptera are the most important herbivorous insects in grasslands and are recognized as excellent indicators for their conservation value (Fargeaud and Gardiner 2018), as they are sensitive to changes in structure, microclimate and plant species richness (Báldi and Kisbenedek 1997;Fargeaud and Gardiner 2018;Gardiner et al 2005;Sauberer et al 2004). Further, Orthopteran species assemblages are sensitive to succession and their composition varies greatly between each successional stage (Fartmann et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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To graze or to mow? The influence of grassland management on grasshoppers (Orthoptera) on a flood protection embankment in the Donau-Auen National Park (Austria)

et al. 2021

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Introduction Most Central European grasslands crucially depend on land use, and thus there is a need to comparatively analyse the impacts of different types of land use management on grassland biota. Aims and methods We use grasshoppers (Orthoptera), which are the most important insect herbivores in grasslands, and assess the differences of grazing (sheep) and mowing on species abundance, richness, and composition. We use a river embankment in the National Park Donau Auen as study site, where we have established 28 transects. Orthoptera abundance was surveyed 13 times between May and September 2019 in each transect. Results We recorded 24 Orthoptera species, of which 12 species are listed in the national Red List. The most abundant non-threatened species is Pseudochorthippus parallelus in mown transects, while in grazed transects Euchorthippus declivus is most abundant. Eight of the ten most abundant Orthoptera species differed significantly in abundance between mown and grazed transects. Total abundance of Orthoptera was higher in mown transects, while grazed transects had higher species richness. Most xero-thermophilic species were more abundant in grazed transects, while some species of mesic grassland were more abundant in mown transects. These species-level differences resulted in clearly separated Orthoptera species assemblages between grazed and mown transects. Our findings suggest that the less dense vegetation in grazed transects better fulfilled the habitat requirements of xero-thermophilic species compared to mown transects Discussion Given that mown and grazed transects are located adjacent to each other, that the complete study site was mown for many decades and grazing was only started one year before field data collection, the scale of differences in species richness, composition and abundances between grazed and mown transects is surprising. Thus, our findings indicate that grasshoppers respond rapidly to changing land use. Implications for insect conservation We conclude that river embankments can be important secondary habitats for species-rich grasshopper communities. We recommend that grazing should be continued at the river embankment, ideally as rotational pasture as currently done. Mowing should be changed towards mowing parts of the river embankment at different times and leaving small strips of vegetation unmown.

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Section: Implications For Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To graze or to mow? The influence of grassland management on grasshoppers (Orthoptera) on a flood protection embankment in the Donau-Auen National Park (Austria)

et al. 2021

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“…In the modified riparian landscape of paddy fields and terraces, levees could form corridors which allow the dispersal of Orthoptera in a similar way to sea wall flood defenses in Europe (Fargeaud and Gardiner 2018). Climate change may be behind the expansion in range of species such as Phaneroptera nana which has been found on a sea wall along the River Thames (Gardiner and Couch 2019 in press).…”

Section: Recommendations For Further Research and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are significant opportunities when rebuilding, repairing, and managing artificial and natural flood defenses to increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife (Cousins et al 2017, 2018. Mowing regimes can be altered to enhance populations of pollinators (Gardiner and Fargeaud 2018) such as endangered butterflies (Zhang andMiyashita 2017, Ohwaki et al 2018), but could also be used to benefit orthopteran assemblages (Fargeaud and Gardiner 2018). Integrated Green Grey Infrastructure (IGGI) measures have been developed to provide engineers with a suite of options when it comes to the management of riparian embankments and floodplains (Naylor et al , 2018.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Big in Japan: The importance of riparian corridors for Orthoptera

Gardiner¹,

Kuramoto²,

Matsuba³

2019

JOR

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There are few studies on the Orthoptera of the floodplains, paddy fields, and levee embankments of Japan’s riparian corridors. The research which has been undertaken indicates a relatively rich fauna (33% of Japan’s grasshopper species recorded) with endangered species (e.g. Eusphingonotusjaponicus) found on gravel floodplains, although diversity is restricted by forest cover and unfavorable land uses (e.g. agriculture). Management should focus on the alteration of levee mowing regimes to benefit orthopterans, and the control of invasive plant species and successional processes along river corridors, which appears to be important for grasshoppers of gravel substrates. Integrated Green Grey Infrastructure (IGGI) measures (levee terraces of Asteraceae plants) may enhance populations of Orthoptera and conserve declining plants such as Astertripolium in Tokyo. More research is required throughout Japan to accurately determine the orthopteran fauna and appropriate conservation measures, particularly along super levees and in paddy fields.

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“…Lightfoot (2018) conducts a long-term study in a North American semi-arid grassland to assess the interaction of grazing and climate variation on the plant and Orthoptera communities. Finally, Fargeaud and Gardiner (2018) review the effects of grazing sea walls (i.e. dikes) throughout Europe on the resident orthopteran communities and suggest measures to improve these practices.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%