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Effects of forest-dune ecotone management on the endangered heath grasshopper, Chorthippus vagans (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2008

A. Hochkirch ,
A.-C. Gärtner  and
T. Brandt
A. Hochkirch*
Affiliation:
University of Osnabrück, Department of Biology/Chemistry, Division of Ecology, Barbarastr. 13, D-49076 Osnabrück University of Trier, Department 6, Biogeography Group Am Wissenschaftspark 25-27, D-54296 Trier
A.-C. Gärtner
Affiliation:
University of Osnabrück, Department of Biology/Chemistry, Division of Ecology, Barbarastr. 13, D-49076 Osnabrück
T. Brandt
Affiliation:
Ökologische Schutzstation Steinhuder Meer, Hagenburger Str. 16, D-31547 Rehburg-Loccum
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: 49 651 201 3857 E-mail: hochkirch@uni-trier.de
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Abstract

Dry, oligotrophic ecosystems are highly threatened in Europe due to massive changes in land use and eutrophication. The conservation of these xeric habitats has received much attention, whereas the ecotones between xeric habitats and other habitat types are often disregarded. One species which mainly inhabits the transition zone between pine forests and adjacent xeric habitats is the heath grasshopper, Chorthippus vagans. This species is endangered in large parts of Europe. One of the largest populations in northern Germany is found on a degraded inland dune near Hanover. This population is threatened by dense growth of deciduous trees and litter accumulation. We analyzed changes in the distribution of this population after the implementation of conservation measures (thinning out the forest and removal of leaf litter). Moreover, we examined dispersal distances of the species in order to assess its colonization potential. We also studied the microhabitat preferences of C. vagans to assess key factors influencing its local distribution. Our data show a substantial growth in population size, which might be a consequence of the conservation measures. New patches on the dune were colonized, promoting dispersal between the subpopulations. We propose that restoration of forest-dune ecotones should be considered more often in landscape planning and conservation management.

Keywords

insect conservationforest managementforest edgeinland dunesdune managementthinning out
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 98 , Issue 5 , October 2008 , pp. 449 - 456
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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