Diverse Effects of a Seven-Year Experimental Grassland Fragmentation on Major Invertebrate Groups

PloS One
Brigitte Braschler, Bruno Baur

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation is a major driver of biodiversity loss, but observed effects vary and may depend on the group examined. Time since fragmentation may explain some differences between taxonomical groups, as some species and thus species composition respond with a delay to changes in their environment. Impacts of drivers of global change may thus be underestimated in short-term studies. In our study we experimentally fragmented nutrient-poor dry calcareous grasslands and studied the response of species richness, individual density and species composition of various groups of invertebrates (gastropods, ants, ground beetles, rove beetles, orthoptera, spiders, woodlice) in 12 small (1.5 m * 1.5 m) and 12 large (4.5 m * 4.5 m) fragments and their corresponding control plots after 7 years. We further examined responses to fragmentation in relation to body size and habitat preferences. Responses to fragmentation varied between taxonomical groups. While spider species richness and individual density were lower in fragments, the opposite was true for an orthopteran species and woodlice. Species composition and β-diversity differed between fragments and control plots for some groups. However, the interaction treatment*plot size was r...Continue Reading

References

Jun 10, 1994·Science·A Kruess, T Tscharntke
Jan 6, 2009·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Peter StollBruno Baur
Aug 12, 2009·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Mikko KuussaariIngolf Steffan-Dewenter
Feb 16, 2010·Oecologia·Hans-Peter Rusterholz, Bruno Baur
Apr 1, 1994·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·I Hanski
Jun 2, 2015·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Franz EsslDavid M Richardson

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Citations

Aug 17, 2018·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Jasmijn HillaertDries Bonte
Dec 7, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Jasmijn HillaertDries Bonte
May 21, 2021·Biodiversity Data Journal·Kayla A DilworthRobert E Clark

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Software Mentioned

Movelier
nMDS
vegan
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nlme
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Permanova
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adonis

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