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Hayes MP, Ashe-Jepson E, Hitchcock GE, Knock RI, Lucas CBH, Bladon AJ, Turner EC. Consistent oviposition preferences of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly over 14 years on a chalk grassland reserve in Bedfordshire, UK. J Insect Conserv 2021; 25:611-628. [PMID: 34127906 PMCID: PMC8189555 DOI: 10.1007/s10841-021-00327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The Duke of Burgundy butterfly (Hamearis lucina) is known to have specific habitat requirements for its larval foodplants. However, no studies have yet investigated whether these preferences vary over time or in relation to climate, and there is a paucity of data on whether management on reserves can replicate preferred conditions. Here, we build upon existing research to confirm which characteristics Duke of Burgundy prefer for their larval foodplants, whether preferences remain consistent across years, and whether conservation management on reserves can replicate these conditions. Fieldwork was carried out at Totternhoe Quarry Reserve, a chalk grassland site in Bedfordshire, UK. Confirming previous research, we found that large Primula plants in dense patches were chosen for oviposition, but that once chosen there was no preference to lay eggs on a plant's largest leaf. Chosen foodplants were also more sheltered and in closer proximity to scrub than their controls. However, at a finer scale, we found little evidence for any preference based on differences in microclimate, or vegetation height immediately surrounding the plants. This suggests features that alter microclimatic conditions at a larger scale are relatively more important for determining the suitability of oviposition sites. Nearly all preferences remained consistent over time and did not vary between years. Management of scrub on the reserve was able to reproduce some preferred habitat features (high plant density), but not others (large plant size). IMPLICATIONS FOR INSECT CONSERVATION The consistency of findings across years, despite inter-annual variation in temperature, rainfall and number of adults, indicates that the Duke of Burgundy is conservative in its foodplant choice, highlighting its need for specific habitat management. Targeted management for foodplants could form part of a tractable set of tools to support Duke of Burgundy numbers on reserves, but a careful balance is needed to avoid scrub clearance leaving plants in sub-optimal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. P. Hayes
- Department of Zoology, University Museum of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
| | - E. Ashe-Jepson
- Department of Zoology, University Museum of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
| | - G. E. Hitchcock
- Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, Unit 2, St Johns Barn, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6BT UK
| | - R. I. Knock
- Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, Unit 2, St Johns Barn, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6BT UK
| | - C. B. H. Lucas
- Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, Unit 2, St Johns Barn, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6BT UK
| | - A. J. Bladon
- Department of Zoology, University Museum of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
| | - E. C. Turner
- Department of Zoology, University Museum of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
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Stanisci A, Bricca A, Calabrese V, Cutini M, Pauli H, Steinbauer K, Carranza ML. Functional composition and diversity of leaf traits in subalpine versus alpine vegetation in the Apennines. AoB Plants 2020; 12:plaa004. [PMID: 32257089 PMCID: PMC7098876 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean high mountain grasslands are shaped by climatic stress and understanding their functional adaptations can contribute to better understanding ecosystems' response to global change. The present work analyses the plant functional traits of high-elevation grasslands growing in Mediterranean limestone mountains to explore, at the community level, the presence of different plant strategies for resource use (conservative vs. acquisitive) and functional diversity syndromes (convergent or divergent). Thus, we compared the functional composition and diversity of the above-ground traits related to resource acquisition strategies of subalpine and alpine calcareous grasslands in the central Apennines, a mountain region characterized by a dry-summer Mediterranean climate. We used georeferenced vegetation plots and field-measured plant functional traits (plant maximum height, specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content) for the dominant species of two characteristic vegetation types: the subalpine Sesleria juncifolia community and the alpine Silene acaulis community. Both communities are of particular conservation concern and are rich in endemic species for which plant functional traits are measured here for the first time. We analysed the functional composition and diversity using the community-weighted mean trait index and the functional diversity using Rao's function, and we assessed how much the observed pattern deviated from a random distribution by calculating the respective standardized effect sizes. The results highlighted that an acquisitive resource use strategy and relatively higher functional diversity of leaf traits prevail in the alpine S. acaulis community, optimizing a rapid carbon gain, which would help overcome the constraints exerted by the short growing season. The divergent functional strategy underlines the co-occurrence of different leaf traits in the alpine grasslands, which shows good adaptation to a microhabitat-rich environment. Conversely, in the subalpine S. juncifolia grassland, a conservative resource use strategy and relatively lower functional diversity of the leaf traits are likely related to a high level resistance to aridity over a longer growing season. Our outcomes indicate the preadaptation strategy of the subalpine S. juncifolia grassland to shift upwards to the alpine zone that will become warmer and drier as a result of anthropogenic climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Stanisci
- EnvixLab, Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Termoli, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Calabrese
- EnvixLab, Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Termoli, Italy
| | | | - Harald Pauli
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research & University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Silbergasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Steinbauer
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research & University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Silbergasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Laura Carranza
- EnvixLab, Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Termoli, Italy
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Maccherini S, Bacaro G, Marignani M. Beneficial effects of restoration practices can be thwarted by climate extremes. Sci Total Environ 2018; 626:851-859. [PMID: 29396346 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The impacts of climate extremes on species, communities and ecosystems have become critical concerns to science and society. Under a changing climate, how restoration outcomes are affected by extreme climate variables is a largely unknown topic. We analyzed the effects of experimental factors (grazing and sowing of native species), extreme climate events (intense precipitation and extreme temperatures indexes) and their combination on the restoration progress of a dry, calcareous grassland in Tuscany (Italy) with a 1 year before/15 years continuous annual monitoring after, control/impact (BACI) experiment. Grazing had a beneficial effect on the diversity of the grassland, while sowing had a limited impact. The climatic index that most affected the entire plant community composition was the number of very heavy precipitation days. The interaction of grazing and extreme climatic indexes had a significant detrimental effect on restoration outcomes, increasing the cover of synanthropic and Cosmopolitan-Subcosmopolitan generalist species and decreasing the cover of more valuable species such endemic species. In the richest grazed plots, species richness showed a lower sensitivity to the average precipitation per wet day but in grazed site, restoration outcomes can be negatively influenced by the intensification of precipitation and temperature extremes. In a context of progressive tropicalization of the Mediterranean area, to assist managers setting achievable restoration goals, restoration practitioners should consider that climate extremes might interfere with the beneficial effects of restoration practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Marignani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Botany Division, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Smith BM, Diaz A, Winder L. Grassland habitat restoration: lessons learnt from long term monitoring of Swanworth Quarry, UK, 1997-2014. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3942. [PMID: 29158963 PMCID: PMC5691784 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat restoration projects are often conducted when prior use or extraction of natural resources results in land degradation. The success of restoration programmes, however, is variable, and studies that provide evidence of long term outcomes are valuable for evaluation purposes. This study focused on the restoration of vegetation within a limestone quarry in Dorset, UK between 1997 and 2014. Using a randomised block design, the effect of seed mix and seed rate on the development of community assemblage was investigated in comparison to a nearby target calcareous grassland site. We hypothesised that seed mix composition and sowing rate would influence both the trajectory of the grassland assemblage and final community composition. We found that species composition (in relation to both richness and community assemblage) was strongly influenced by time and to some extent by seed rate and seed mix. However, no treatments achieved strong resemblance to the calcareous grassland target vegetation; rather they resembled mesotrophic communities. We conclude that (as with previous studies) there is no “quick fix” for the establishment of a grassland community; long-term monitoring provides useful information on the trajectory of community development; sowing gets you something (in our case mesotrophic grassland), but, it may not be the target vegetation (e.g., calcicolous grassland) you want that is difficult to establish and regenerate; it is important to sow a diverse mix as subsequent recruitment opportunities are probably limited; post-establishment management should be explored further and carefully considered as part of a restoration project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Maria Smith
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.,Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Fordingbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Diaz
- Life and Environmental Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
| | - Linton Winder
- Primary Industries, Science and Environment, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Rotorua, New Zealand
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Oja J, Vahtra J, Bahram M, Kohout P, Kull T, Rannap R, Kõljalg U, Tedersoo L. Local-scale spatial structure and community composition of orchid mycorrhizal fungi in semi-natural grasslands. Mycorrhiza 2017; 27:355-367. [PMID: 28039600 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-016-0755-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Orchid mycorrhizal (OrM) fungi play a crucial role in the ontogeny of orchids, yet little is known about how the structure of OrM fungal communities varies with space and environmental factors. Previous studies suggest that within orchid patches, the distance to adult orchids may affect the abundance of OrM fungi. Many orchid species grow in species-rich temperate semi-natural grasslands, the persistence of which depends on moderate physical disturbances, such as grazing and mowing. The aim of this study was to test whether the diversity, structure and composition of OrM fungal community are influenced by the orchid patches and management intensity in semi-natural grasslands. We detected putative OrM fungi from 0 to 32 m away from the patches of host orchid species (Orchis militaris and Platanthera chlorantha) in 21 semi-natural calcareous grasslands using pyrosequencing. In addition, we assessed different ecological conditions in semi-natural grasslands but primarily focused on the effect of grazing intensity on OrM fungal communities in soil. We found that investigated orchid species were mostly associated with Ceratobasidiaceae and Tulasnellaceae and, to a lesser extent, with Sebacinales. Of all the examined factors, the intensity of grazing explained the largest proportion of variation in OrM fungal as well as total fungal community composition in soil. Spatial analyses showed limited evidence for spatial clustering of OrM fungi and their dependence on host orchids. Our results indicate that habitat management can shape OrM fungal communities, and the spatial distribution of these fungi appears to be weakly structured outside the orchid patches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Oja
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Johanna Vahtra
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mohammad Bahram
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE 75236, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Petr Kohout
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tiiu Kull
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Estonian, University of Life Sciences, 5 Kreutzwaldi, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Riinu Rannap
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 46 Vanemuise, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Urmas Kõljalg
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Leho Tedersoo
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14A Ravila, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
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