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The effect of grassland management on diversity and composition of ground-dwelling spider assemblages in the Mátra Landscape Protection Area of Hungary

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Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to report the effect of shrub removal and mowing on the diversity and composition of ground-dwelling spider assemblages in Natura 2000 habitats of Mátra Mountains. We found significant effects of shrub removal and mowing on spider communities. Diversity decreased in the year following shrub removal but increased in the following years. Spider diversity in the final year decreased due to the lack of additional treatments. During our study the hay meadows were the most diverse habitats compared to control shrubs and treated shrubs. Treatments caused changes in community structure: the highest number of generalist species was observed in the treated shrubs, and the highest density of rare and protected species in the hay meadows. The high species turnover observed between hay meadows and control shrubs reflects the importance of grassland management. We conclude that shrub removal an effective grassland management action to increase spiders diversity in Natura 2000 habitats. Finally, treated shrubs require additional treatments such as mowing to ensure the spider communities inhabiting them are as diverse as those inhabiting meadows.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FM ASzK–Forestry, Agricultural and Game Management Training School and Student Hostel of Mátra, 11 Erdész street, Mátrafüred, 3232, Hungary

    Tünde Szmatona-Túri

  2. Eötv¨os József Reformated Education Centre, 29 Dobó Street, Heves, 3360, Hungary

    Diána Vona-Túri

  3. Bükk National Park Directorate, Mátra Region, 6 Sánc road, Eger, 3304, Hungary

    Gábor Magos & László Urbán

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  1. Tünde Szmatona-Túri
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  2. Diána Vona-Túri
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  4. László Urbán
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Correspondence to Tünde Szmatona-Túri.

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Szmatona-Túri, T., Vona-Túri, D., Magos, G. et al. The effect of grassland management on diversity and composition of ground-dwelling spider assemblages in the Mátra Landscape Protection Area of Hungary. Biologia 72, 642–651 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0075

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