Skip to main content

Genista dwarf shrubs as key structures for a Mediterranean grasshopper species on alluvial gravel banks

Journal of Insect Conservation volume 20, pages 781–788 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Natural floodplains belong to the most species-rich ecosystems worldwide. However, over the last decades there has been a strong decrease in the extent of natural floodplains. As a consequence, the biodiversity of these ecosystems has experienced a dramatic decline. In this study, we investigated the habitat and food preferences of the grasshopper species Chorthippus binotatus on gravel banks of a nearly natural river system in the Spanish Pyrenees. The studied plots on the alluvial gravel banks in the Spanish Pyrenees were characterised by strong differences in habitat structure. However, C. binotatus only occurred in sparsely-vegetated sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands. The abundance of the grasshopper species was also strongly related to habitat structure and cover of the main food source and dominant plant species of these open grasslands, the dwarf shrub Genista scorpius. Concerning habitat structure, the grasshopper species preferred habitats with sparse and low-growing vegetation with a high cover of bare ground and gravel/stones. C. binotatus occupies a very narrow ecological niche within the studied floodplain. It requires sparsely-vegetated gravel banks that ensure sufficient oviposition sites and a favourable ambient temperature for optimal development. G. scorpius dwarf shrubs have to be considered as multi-functional key elements in the habitats of C. binotatus. They offer high-quality food, shelter against predators and allow thermoregulation in a hot and dry Mediterranean environment. For the conservation of C. binotatus, we recommend maintaining and restoring both natural floodplain dynamics as well as traditional grazing systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  • Adu-Acheampong S, Bazelet CS, Samways MJ (2016) Extent to which an agricultural mosaic supports endemic species-rich grasshopper assemblages in the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity. Agric Ecosys Environ 227:52–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arscott DB, Tockner K, Ward JV (2001) Thermal heterogeneity along a braided floodplain river (Tagliamento river, northeastern Italy). Can J Fish Aquat Sci 58:2359–2373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bazelet CS, Samways MJ (2012) Grasshopper and butterfly local congruency in grassland remnants. J Insect Conserv 16:71–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belovsky GE, Slade JB (1993) The role of vertebrate and invertebrate predators in a grasshopper community. Oikos 68:193–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chappell MA, Whitman DW (1990) Grasshopper thermoregulation. In: Chapman RF, Joern A (eds) Biology of grasshoppers. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawley MJ (2007) The R book. Wiley, Chichester

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eades DC, Otte D, Cigliano, MM, Braun H (2016) Orthoptera species file. Version 5.0/5.0 [21/04/2016]. http://Orthoptera.SpeciesFile.org

  • EC (2007) The habitats directive 92/43/EEC. European Community, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Fartmann T, Krämer B, Stelzner F, Poniatowski D (2012) Orthoptera as ecological indicators for succession in steppe grassland. Ecol Indic 20:337–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Ruiz JM, Lasanta-Martínez T (1990) Land-use-changes of the Spanish Pyrenees. Mt Res Dev 10:241–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner T, Dover J (2008) Is microclimate important for Orthoptera in open landscapes? J Insect Conserv 12(6):705–709

  • Gardiner T, Hassall M (2009) Does microclimate affect grasshopper populations after cutting of hay in improved grassland? J Insect Conserv 13:97–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner T, Hill J (2006) A comparison of three sampling techniques used to estimate population density and assemblage diversity of Orthoptera. J Orthoptera Res 15:45–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner T, Pye M, Field R, Hill J (2002) The influence of sward height and vegetation composition in determining the habitat preferences of three Chorthippus species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Chelmsford, Essex, UK. J Orthoptera Res 11:207–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner T, Hill J, Chesmore D (2005) Review of the methods frequently used to estimate the abundance of Orthoptera in grassland ecosystems. J Insect Conserv 9:151–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gartzia M, Fillat F, Pérez-Cabello F, Alados CL (2016) Influence of agropastoral system components on mountain grassland vulnerability estimated by connectivity loss. PLoS One 11(5):e0155193

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Helbing F, Blaeser TP, Löffler F, Fartmann T (2014) Response of Orthoptera communities to succession in alluvial pine woodlands. J Insect Conserv 18:215–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez EI, Vilagrosa A, Pausas JG, Bellot J (2010) Morphological traits and water use strategies in seedlings of Mediterranean coexisting species. Plant Ecol 207:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingrisch S, Köhler G (1998) Die heuschrecken mitteleuropas. Westarp Wissenschaften, Magdeburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Joern A (1979) Feeding patterns in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae): factors influencing diet specialisation. Oecologia 38:325–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joern A, Behmer S (1998) Impact of die quality on demographic attributes in adult grasshoppers and the nitrogen limitation hypotheses. Ecol Entomol 23:174–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krämer B, Poniatowski D, Villar L, Fartmann T (2010) The Orthopteran communities of sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands (Aphyllanthion alliance) in the western Spanish Pyrenees. Articulata 25:59–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn K (2005) Die Kiesbänke des Tagliamento (Friaul, Italien)—ein Lebensraum für Spezialisten im Tierreich. In: der Bergwelt VS (ed) Rettet den Tagliamento, Sonderdruck aus dem Jahrbuch 2005, Munich, pp 37–44

  • Lemke H, Löffler F, Fartmann T (2010) Habitat- und Nahrungspräferenzen des Kiesbank-Grashüpfers (Chorthippus pullus) in Südbayern. Articulata 25:133–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Maag N, Karpati T, Bollmann K (2013) Semi-natural river system maintains functional connectivity and gene flow of the critically endangered gravel grasshopper Chorthippus pullus. Biol Conserv 158:88–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marini L, Fontana P, Battisti A, Gaston KJ (2009) Response of Orthopteran diversity to abandonment of semi-natural meadows. Agric Ecosyst Environ 132:232–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munguira M, García-Barros E, Cano JM (2009) Butterfly herbivory and larval ecology. In: Settele J, Shreeve T, Konvička M, Van Dyck H (eds) Ecology of butterflies in Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 43–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Münsch T, Fartmann T, Machalett B, Poniatowski D (2013) The pygmy mole cricket Xya variegata as an indicator for dynamic river systems. J Insect Conserv 17:521–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickel H (2003) The leafhoppers and planthoppers of Germany (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha): patterns and strategies in a highly diverse group of phytophagous insects. Pensoft, Sofia and Moscow

  • O’Neill KM, Rolston MG (2007) Short-term dynamics of behavioural thermoregulation by adults of the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes. J Insect Sci 7:1–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Picaud F, Gloaguen V, Petit D (2002) Mechanistic aspects to feeding preferences in Chorthippus binotatus (Acrididae, Gomphocerinae). J Insect Behav 15:513–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picaud F, Bonnet E, Gloaguen V, Petit D (2003) Decision making for food choice by grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae): comparison between a specialist species on a shrubby legume and three graminivorous species. Environ Entomol 32:680–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poniatowski D, Fartmann T (2008) The classification of insect communities: lessons from Orthoptera assemblages of semi-dry grassland complexes in central Germany. Eur J Entomol 105:659–671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poniatowski D, Fartmann T (2010) What determines the distribution of a flightless bush-cricket (Metrioptera brachyptera) in a fragmented landscape? J Insect Conserv 14:637–645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poniatowski D, Defaut B, Llucià-Pomares D, Fartmann T (2009) The Orthoptera fauna of the Pyrenean region—a field guide. Articulata, Beiheft 14:1–143

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2016) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. http://www.r-project.org. (access 04/03/2016)

  • Reich M (1991) Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Saltatoria) on alpine and dealpine riverbanks and their use as indicators for natural floodplain dynamics. Regul Rivers Res Mgmt 6:333–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie ME (2000) Nitrogen limitation and trophic vs. abiotic influences on insect herbivores in a temperate grassland. Ecology 81:1601–1612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sardet E, Defaut B (2004) Les Orthopteres Menaces en France. Liste rouge nationale et listes rouges pardomaines biogeographiques. Materiaux Orthopteriques et Entomocenotiques 9:12–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Sardet E, Roesti C, Braud Y (2015) Orthoptères de France, Belgique, Luxembourg and Suisse. Biotope Éditions, Mèze

  • Schirmel J, Blindow I, Fartmann T. (2010) The importance of habitat mosaics for Orthoptera (Caelifera and Ensifera) in dry heathlands. Eur J Entomol 107:129–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoutjesdijk P, Barkman JJ (1992) Microclimate vegetation and fauna. Opulus Press, Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Taiz L, Zeiger E, Møller IM, Murphy AS (2015) Plant physiology and development. Sinauer, Sunderland, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Tockner K, Stanford JA (2002) Riverine flood plains: present state and future trends. Environ Conserv 29:308–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tockner K, Bunn SE, Gordon C, Naimann RJ, Quinn GP, Stanford JA (2008) Flood plains: critically threatened ecosystems. In: Polunin VNC (ed) Aquatic ecosystems. Trends and global prospects. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 45–61

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Valladares F, Hernandez LG, Dobarro I, Garcia-Perez C, Sanz R, Pugnaire FI (2003) The ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area influences shade survival and plastic response to light of green-stemmed leguminous shrub seedlings. Ann Bot 91:577–584

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Villar L, Sese JA, Ferrández JV (1997) Atlas de la Flora del Pirineo Aragonés. Vol. I. Instituto de Estudios Altoaragoneses y Consejo de Protección de la Naturaleza de Aragón, Huesca

  • Ward JV, Tockner K, Schiemer F (1999) Biodiversity of floodplain river ecosystems: ecotones and connectivity. Regul River 15:125–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willot SJ (1997) Thermoregulation in four species of British grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Funct Ecol 11:705–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willott SJ, Hassall M (1998) Life-history responses of British grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to temperature change. Funct Ecol 12:232–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wünsch Y, Schirmel J, Fartmann T (2012) Conservation management of coastal dunes for Orthoptera has to consider oviposition and nymphal preferences. J Insect Conserv 16:501–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 13, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany

    Franz Löffler & Thomas Fartmann

  2. Institute of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology (IBL), Hafenweg 31, 48155, Münster, Germany

    Franz Löffler & Thomas Fartmann

  3. DBU Natural Heritage, German Federal Foundation for the Environment, An der Bornau 2, 49090, Osnabrück, Germany

    Dominik Poniatowski

Authors
  1. Franz Löffler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dominik Poniatowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas Fartmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franz Löffler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Löffler, F., Poniatowski, D. & Fartmann, T. Genista dwarf shrubs as key structures for a Mediterranean grasshopper species on alluvial gravel banks. J Insect Conserv 20, 781–788 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-016-9909-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-016-9909-3

Keywords

  • Chorthippus
  • Disturbance
  • Dynamic habitat
  • Food specialisation
  • Land-use change
  • Orthoptera