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Kasiske T, Dauber J, Harpke A, Klimek S, Kühn E, Settele J, Musche M. Livestock density affects species richness and community composition of butterflies: A nationwide study. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2023; 146:109866. [PMID: 36777177 PMCID: PMC9904221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.109866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Extensively managed grasslands are globally recognized for their high biodiversity value. Over the past century, a continuous loss and degradation of grassland habitats has been observed across Europe that is mainly attributable to agricultural intensification and land abandonment. Particularly insects have suffered from the loss of grassland habitats due to land-use change and the decrease in habitat quality, either due to an increase in livestock density, higher mowing frequency, and an increase in nitrogen fertilization, or by abandonment. However, only a few studies have used nationwide datasets to analyse the effects of land cover and land-use intensity on insects. It further remains largely unexplored how these effects are modulated by species traits, i.e. habitat specialisation and mobility. Using nationwide butterfly data originating from the German Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, we investigated the effect of three indicators related to land cover and agricultural land-use intensity on species richness as well as trait composition of butterfly communities. Based on agricultural census data at the municipality scale, we calculated the share of permanent grasslands (measure of habitat availability), the total livestock density (proxy for organic fertilization) and the livestock density of domestic herbivores (proxy for management intensity in grasslands) within a 2 km buffer surrounding each butterfly transect. To analyse the relationships between butterflies and indicators of land cover and land-use intensity, we applied generalised linear mixed effect models. We found a negative relationship between butterfly species richness and the livestock density of domestic herbivores. Further, the ratio of butterfly generalist to specialist species shifted towards generalists and the size of butterflies increased with higher herbivore livestock density, indicating a shift in communities towards mobile habitat generalists. Our results are in accordance with previous studies carried out across smaller geographic extents, highlighting the importance of low herbivore livestock densities to halt the loss of pollinating insects and safeguard biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. We here demonstrate that indicators based on livestock distribution data at the municipality scale can provide insights into processes and spatial diversity patterns of butterflies at the national level. Further, we highlight potentials and limitations of using agricultural census data to quantify and assess effects of land cover and land-use intensity on butterflies, and make recommendations for further research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Kasiske
- Thünen-Institute of Biodiversity, Braunschweig, Germany
- Biodiversity of Agricultural Landscapes, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jens Dauber
- Thünen-Institute of Biodiversity, Braunschweig, Germany
- Biodiversity of Agricultural Landscapes, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Alexander Harpke
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
- Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Elisabeth Kühn
- Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | - Josef Settele
- Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
- iDiv - German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Martin Musche
- Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
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Pendl M, Hussain RI, Moser D, Frank T, Drapela T. Influences of landscape structure on butterfly diversity in urban private gardens using a citizen science approach. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01168-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAlthough urbanization is increasing worldwide, private gardens may help mitigate the impact of urbanization on butterfly diversity. We investigated how local and landscape factors correspond with the observed butterfly species diversity and species composition in Viennese private gardens. The goal is to determine the importance of private gardens for butterfly conservation. Butterfly species were observed by skilled volunteers by applying a citizen science approach. We related butterfly species numbers in private gardens with local parameters and landscape composition in a radius of 1 km around each garden. Data were analyzed using a regression approach based on generalized linear models. The butterfly species richness in private gardens was positively correlated with butterfly species richness in the surrounding landscapes. Butterfly species richness in private gardens increased with higher proportions of area relevant for butterflies in the surrounding landscape and with increasing numbers of host and nectar plant species in the private gardens. A higher proportion of wooded areas in the surrounding landscape was related with a smaller proportion of the landscape butterfly species pool being observed in the private gardens. Overall, our results could be useful in land use planning, and for future studies of how to integrate citizen science and make urban gardens more beneficial for butterfly conservation.
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The Fluctuating Asymmetry of the Butterfly Wing Pattern Does Not Change along an Industrial Pollution Gradient. Symmetry (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/sym13040626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid and selective responses to changes in habitat structure and climate have made butterflies valuable environmental indicators. In this study, we asked whether the decline in butterfly populations near the copper-nickel smelter in Monchegorsk in northwestern Russia is accompanied by phenotypic stress responses to toxic pollutants, expressed as a decrease in body size and an increase in fluctuating asymmetry. We measured the concentrations of nickel and copper, forewing length, and fluctuating asymmetry in two elements of wing patterns in Boloria euphrosyne, Plebejus idas, and Agriades optilete collected 1–65 km from Monchegorsk. Body metal concentrations increased toward the smelter, confirming the local origin of the collected butterflies. The wings of butterflies from the most polluted sites were 5–8% shorter than those in unpolluted localities, suggesting adverse effects of pollution on butterfly fitness due to larval feeding on contaminated plants. However, fluctuating asymmetry averaged across two hindwing spots did not change systematically with pollution, thereby questioning the use of fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of habitat quality in butterfly conservation projects.
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Kühl HS, Bowler DE, Bösch L, Bruelheide H, Dauber J, Eichenberg D, Eisenhauer N, Fernández N, Guerra CA, Henle K, Herbinger I, Isaac NJ, Jansen F, König-Ries B, Kühn I, Nilsen EB, Pe'er G, Richter A, Schulte R, Settele J, van Dam NM, Voigt M, Wägele WJ, Wirth C, Bonn A. Effective Biodiversity Monitoring Needs a Culture of Integration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Rada S, Schweiger O, Harpke A, Kühn E, Kuras T, Settele J, Musche M. Protected areas do not mitigate biodiversity declines: A case study on butterflies. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Rada
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science; Palacký University Olomouc; Olomouc Czech Republic
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
| | - Alexander Harpke
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kühn
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
| | - Tomáš Kuras
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science; Palacký University Olomouc; Olomouc Czech Republic
| | - Josef Settele
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
- iDiv; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
| | - Martin Musche
- Department of Community Ecology; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Halle Germany
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Public Knowledge of Monarchs and Support for Butterfly Conservation. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10030807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Evaluating Presence Data versus Expert Opinions to Assess Occurrence, Habitat Preferences and Landscape Permeability: A Case Study of Butterflies. ENVIRONMENTS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/environments5030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Maes D, Vanreusel W, Herremans M, Vantieghem P, Brosens D, Gielen K, Beck O, Van Dyck H, Desmet P, Natuurpunt V. A database on the distribution of butterflies (Lepidoptera) in northern Belgium (Flanders and the Brussels Capital Region). Zookeys 2016:143-56. [PMID: 27199606 PMCID: PMC4857040 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.585.8019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this data paper, we describe two datasets derived from two sources, which collectively represent the most complete overview of butterflies in Flanders and the Brussels Capital Region (northern Belgium). The first dataset (further referred to as the INBO dataset – http://doi.org/10.15468/njgbmh) contains 761,660 records of 70 species and is compiled by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) in cooperation with the Butterfly working group of Natuurpunt (Vlinderwerkgroep). It is derived from the database Vlinderdatabank at the INBO, which consists of (historical) collection and literature data (1830-2001), for which all butterfly specimens in institutional and available personal collections were digitized and all entomological and other relevant publications were checked for butterfly distribution data. It also contains observations and monitoring data for the period 1991-2014. The latter type were collected by a (small) butterfly monitoring network where butterflies were recorded using a standardized protocol. The second dataset (further referred to as the Natuurpunt dataset – http://doi.org/10.15468/ezfbee) contains 612,934 records of 63 species and is derived from the database http://waarnemingen.be, hosted at the nature conservation NGO Natuurpunt in collaboration with Stichting Natuurinformatie. This dataset contains butterfly observations by volunteers (citizen scientists), mainly since 2008. Together, these datasets currently contain a total of 1,374,594 records, which are georeferenced using the centroid of their respective 5 × 5 km² Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid cell. Both datasets are published as open data and are available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Maes
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Marc Herremans
- Natuurpunt Studie, Coxiestraat 11, B-2800 Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Pieter Vantieghem
- Vlinderwerkgroep Natuurpunt, Coxiestraat 11, B-2800 Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Brosens
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Gielen
- Natuurpunt Studie, Coxiestraat 11, B-2800 Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Olivier Beck
- Leefmilieu Brussel - BIM / Bruxelles Environnement - IBGE, Afd. Groene ruimten, Dpt. Biodiversiteit, Thurn & Taxis-site, Havenlaan 86C/3000 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Dyck
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5, bte L7.07.04, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Peter Desmet
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Lewandowski E, Specht H. Influence of volunteer and project characteristics on data quality of biological surveys. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2015; 29:713-723. [PMID: 25800171 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Volunteer involvement in biological surveys is becoming common in conservation and ecology, prompting questions on the quality of data collected in such surveys. In a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on the quality of data collected by volunteers, we examined the characteristics of volunteers (e.g., age, prior knowledge) and projects (e.g., systematic vs. opportunistic monitoring schemes) that affect data quality with regards to standardization of sampling, accuracy and precision of data collection, spatial and temporal representation of data, and sample size. Most studies (70%, n = 71) focused on the act of data collection. The majority of assessments of volunteer characteristics (58%, n = 93) examined the effect of prior knowledge and experience on quality of the data collected, often by comparing volunteers with experts or professionals, who were usually assumed to collect higher quality data. However, when both groups' data were compared with the same accuracy standard, professional data were more accurate in only 4 of 7 cases. The few studies that measured precision of volunteer and professional data did not conclusively show that professional data were less variable than volunteer data. To improve data quality, studies recommended changes to survey protocols, volunteer training, statistical analyses, and project structure (e.g., volunteer recruitment and retention).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lewandowski
- Conservation Biology Graduate Program, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, U.S.A..
| | - Hannah Specht
- Conservation Biology Graduate Program, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, U.S.A
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Slade EM, Merckx T, Riutta T, Bebber DP, Redhead D, Riordan P, Macdonald DW. Life-history traits and landscape characteristics predict macro-moth responses to forest fragmentation. Ecology 2013; 94:1519-30. [DOI: 10.1890/12-1366.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gollan JR, de Bruyn LL, Reid N, Wilkie L. Monitoring the ecosystem service provided by dung beetles offers benefits over commonly used biodiversity metrics and a traditional trapping method. J Nat Conserv 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Schultz CB, Russell C, Wynn L. Restoration, Reintroduction, and captive Propagation for at-risk Butterflies: A review of British and American Conservation Efforts. Isr J Ecol Evol 2013. [DOI: 10.1560/ijee.54.1.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Pe'er G, Benyamini D. A template for publishing the "Conservation chain" from problem Identification to Practical action, Exemplified through the Campaign for Butterfly protection in Israel. Isr J Ecol Evol 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/15659801.2008.10639604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Schwartz-Tzachor R, Izhaki I, Perevolotsky A. Note: The Role of Seasonality and Climatic Factors in Shaping the Community Composition of Mediterranean Butterflies. Isr J Ecol Evol 2013. [DOI: 10.1560/ijee.54.1.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Holt RD. IJEE Soapbox: Charismatic Mesofauna: Butterflies as Inspiration and Test for Theory That Integrates Ecology and Evolution. Isr J Ecol Evol 2013. [DOI: 10.1560/ijee.54.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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