Abstract
Species with narrow ranges and specialised traits are most at risk, and the extinction wave is further enhanced by coextinctions. We studied the conservation value and indicator potential of Stratiotes aloides, an aquatic macrophyte that has declined considerably in Europe. Our purpose was to determine whether S. aloides could be used as an indicator of a valuable habitat in terms of macroarthropod diversity and species richness. The potential occurrence of an internationally endangered Stratiotes-habitat specialist, the dragonfly Aeshna viridis, can increase the conservation value of plant colonies. S. aloides beds harboured diverse macroarthropod fauna often containing species of conservation concern, including A. viridis. Stratiotes is a potential indicator of a valuable habitat, and its indicator value is enhanced by the easy identification of the species. However, its use as an indicator of a defined macroarthropod community is limited because no particular community type is connected to it. We suggest that protecting Stratiotes simultaneously conserves valuable arthropod fauna, including A. viridis.
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Acknowledgement
We thank Janne Kotiaho and Mikko Mönkkönen from the University of Jyväskylä for their support and valuable comments on the manuscript. The language of the final draft of this manuscript was checked by Ellen Valle. We also thank the Finnish Environment Institute and the Regional Environment Centres of Häme and Pirkanmaa for study permission. We are grateful to the Academy of Finland (J Suhonen and MJ Rantala), the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Häme) (J Suhonen), the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Fund (E Suutari) and the Finnish Entomological Society (J Salmela) for financing our study.
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Suutari, E., Salmela, J., Paasivirta, L. et al. Macroarthropod species richness and conservation priorities in Stratiotes aloides (L.) lakes. J Insect Conserv 13, 413–419 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-008-9188-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-008-9188-8