scholarly journals Effects of nitrogen deposition on butterfly species richness on the landscape scale

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Roth ◽  
Lukas Kohli ◽  
Beat Rihm ◽  
Reto Meier ◽  
Valentin Amrhein
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity

AbstractNitrogen (N) deposition caused by agriculture and combustion of fossil fuels is a major threat to plant diversity, but the effects on higher trophic levels are less clear. In this study we investigated how N deposition may affect butterfly species richness. We started with reviewing the literature and found that vegetation parameters might be as important as climate and habitat variables in explaining variation in butterfly species richness. It thus seems likely that increased N deposition indirectly affects butterfly communities via its influence on plant communities. We then analyzed data from the Swiss biodiversity monitoring program surveying species diversity of vascular plants and butterflies in 383 study sites of 1 km2 that are regularly distributed over Switzerland, covering a modelled N deposition gradient from 2 to 44 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Using traditional linear models and structural equation models, we found that high N deposition was consistently linked to low butterfly diversity, suggesting a net loss of butterfly diversity through increased N deposition. At low elevations, N deposition may contribute to a reduction in butterfly species richness via microclimatic cooling due to increased plant biomass. At higher elevations, negative effects of N deposition on butterfly species richness may also be mediated by reduced plant species richness. We conclude that in addition to factors such as intensified agriculture, habitat fragmentation and climate change, nitrogen deposition is likely to play a key role in affecting butterfly diversity.

scholarly journals Aboveground impacts of a belowground invader: how invasive earthworms alter aboveground arthropod communities in a northern North American forest

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Jochum ◽  
Lise Thouvenot ◽  
Olga Ferlian ◽  
Romy Zeiss ◽  
Bernhard Klarner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Arthropod Community ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Earthworm Invasion ◽  
Invasive Earthworms ◽  
Invasion Impacts ◽  
Arthropod Abundance

AbstractDeclining arthropod communities have recently gained a lot of attention with climate and land-use change among the most-frequently discussed drivers. Here, we focus on a seemingly underrepresented driver of arthropod-community decline: biological invasions. For ∼12,000 years, earthworms have been absent from wide parts of northern North America, but they have been re-introduced with dramatic consequences. Most studies investigating earthworm-invasion impacts focus on the belowground world, resulting in limited knowledge on aboveground-community changes. We present observational data on earthworm, plant, and aboveground-arthropod communities in 60 plots, distributed across areas with increasing invasion status (low, medium, high) in a Canadian forest. We analyzed how earthworm-invasion status and biomass impact aboveground arthropod community abundance, biomass, and species richness, and how earthworm impacts cascade across trophic levels. We sampled ∼13,000 arthropods, dominated by Hemiptera, Diptera, Araneae, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera. Total arthropod abundance, biomass, and species richness declined significantly from areas of low to those with high invasion status with reductions of 61, 27, and 18%, respectively. Structural Equation Models unraveled that earthworms directly and indirectly impact arthropods across trophic levels. We show that earthworm invasion can alter aboveground multitrophic arthropod communities and suggest that belowground invasions can be important drivers of aboveground-arthropod decline.

scholarly journals Consistent drivers of plant biodiversity across managed ecosystems

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1694) ◽  
pp. 20150284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Minden ◽  
Christoph Scherber ◽  
Miguel A. Cebrián Piqueras ◽  
Juliane Trinogga ◽  
Anastasia Trenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Real World ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Managed Ecosystems

Ecosystems managed for production of biomass are often characterized by low biodiversity because management aims to optimize single ecosystem functions (i.e. yield) involving deliberate selection of species or cultivars. In consequence, considerable differences in observed plant species richness and productivity remain across systems, and the drivers of these differences have remained poorly resolved so far. In addition, it has remained unclear if species richness feeds back on ecosystem functions such as yield in real-world systems. Here, we establish N = 360 experimental plots across a broad range of managed ecosystems in several European countries, and use structural equation models to unravel potential drivers of plant species richness. We hypothesize that the relationships between productivity, total biomass and observed species richness are affected by management intensity, and that these effects differ between habitat types (dry grasslands, grasslands, and wetlands). We found that local management was an important driver of species richness across systems. Management caused system disturbance, resulting in reduced productivity yet enhanced total biomass. Plant species richness was directly and positively driven by management, with consistently negative effects of total biomass. Productivity effects on richness were positive, negative or neutral. Our study shows that management and total biomass drive plant species richness across real-world managed systems.

Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) diversity in relation to habitat utilization at Jagannath Kishore College, Purulia, West Bengal (India)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
DIPANWITA DAS
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Tridax Procumbens ◽  
Eurema Hecabe ◽  
Purulia District ◽  
One Year

Documentation of butterfly diversity is necessary for ecosystem management both at the local and the global scales. The varied types of  functional role of the butterflies qualify them for conservation and thus sustenance of the ecosystem services. Information about the biodiversity of Purulia district as well as arid regions of Chota Nagpur Plateau is insufficient and this necessitates to investigate about the butterfly diversity of Purulia which will provide subsequent information for ecosystem management. On the basis of this proposition, the present study was carried out in the campus of Jagannath Kishore College, Purulia, West Bengal (India). The species richness, species diversity, seasonal variation and habitat utilisation by the butterflies were studied for a period of one year between February 2016 and January 2017 with photographic documentation. A total of seventy-one butterfly species under five families were encountered, of which, the family Nymphalidae represented highest number of species. The butterfly species richness was lower in summer probably due to the scarcity of water, but during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons water availabitity boost up the vegetation and therefore species richness increased to its maximum. Among the different species, Eurema hecabe was the most abundant species throughout the year followed by Leptosia nina, Danaus chrysippus and Catopsilia pomona. In the study area, thirty-one species of herbs and shrubs were identified as nectaring plants for adult butterflies. Among them, Tridax procumbens, Lantana camara, Alternanthera sessilis and Tagetes sp. were recognized as the preferred nectaring plants based on the number of butterflies visiting them. As an effort for conservation of the butterflies, the information on the plants and the species avaialble in the concerned region may be used further. However, long term monitoring of the concerned region is recommended to understand the changes in the environmental quality as reflected through the variations in the butterfly species assemblages. 

scholarly journals Butterfly diversity of Putalibazar Municipality, Syangja District, Gandaki Province, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 18827-18845
Author(s):  
Kismat Neupane ◽  
Mahamad Sayab Miya
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index

A study was carried out to find the butterfly species diversity and abundance in Putalibazar Municipality, Syangja, Gandaki, Nepal, from June 2019 to July 2020. Pollard walk method was used for data collection in three different habitat types: forest, agricultural land, and settlement area. The study was performed in all seasons: pre-monsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and winter. A total of 180 butterfly species from 108 genera and six families were recorded. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) was 4.48. The highest diversity was represented by the Nymphalidae with 67 species (H= 3.79). Butterfly diversity and species abundance was highest in the forest area (147 species, 1199 individuals; H= 4.47). The highest species richness (109 species) was observed in the monsoon season.

scholarly journals Butterfly diversity of paddy growing area in winter and pre-monsoon season (Rabi crop) at Silezari site of Gondia district, Maharashtra, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmik R. Ganvir ◽  
Chintaman J. Khune
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Paddy Field ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Systematic Survey ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Wide Range

A systematic survey was carried out on butterflies of agricultural field during winter and pre-monsoon season, Silezari, Vidarbha, India because it is now clear that agricultural fields particularly paddy field are unique ecosystems that provide some butterflies to complete their life span.. Total 24 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 20 genera and 5 families. Nymphalidae family is consisting of maximum number of genera and species and only one species recorded from family Papilionidae. Maximum species richness reported from March and April month. The present study will encourage the conservation of a wide range of indigenous butterfly species in an area.

scholarly journals Influences of landscape structure on butterfly diversity in urban private gardens using a citizen science approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Pendl ◽  
Raja Imran Hussain ◽  
Dietmar Moser ◽  
Thomas Frank ◽  
Thomas Drapela
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Butterfly Conservation ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Science Approach ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAlthough urbanization is increasing worldwide, private gardens may help mitigate the impact of urbanization on butterfly diversity. We investigated how local and landscape factors correspond with the observed butterfly species diversity and species composition in Viennese private gardens. The goal is to determine the importance of private gardens for butterfly conservation. Butterfly species were observed by skilled volunteers by applying a citizen science approach. We related butterfly species numbers in private gardens with local parameters and landscape composition in a radius of 1 km around each garden. Data were analyzed using a regression approach based on generalized linear models. The butterfly species richness in private gardens was positively correlated with butterfly species richness in the surrounding landscapes. Butterfly species richness in private gardens increased with higher proportions of area relevant for butterflies in the surrounding landscape and with increasing numbers of host and nectar plant species in the private gardens. A higher proportion of wooded areas in the surrounding landscape was related with a smaller proportion of the landscape butterfly species pool being observed in the private gardens. Overall, our results could be useful in land use planning, and for future studies of how to integrate citizen science and make urban gardens more beneficial for butterfly conservation.

scholarly journals Chronic Disturbance in a Tropical Dry Forest: Disentangling Direct and Indirect Pathways Behind the Loss of Plant Richness

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Jara-Guerrero ◽  
Diego González-Sánchez ◽  
Adrián Escudero ◽  
Carlos I. Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Chronic Disturbance

Chronic disturbance is widely recognized as one of main triggers of diversity loss in seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs). However, the pathways through which diffuse disturbance is acting on the forest are little understood. This information is especially demanded in the case of vanishing Neotropical seasonally dry forests such as the Tumbesian ones. We proposed a conceptual model to analyze the factors behind the loss of woody species richness along a forest disturbance gradient, explicitly considering the existence of direct and indirect causal pathways of biodiversity loss. We hypothesized that the chronic disturbance can act on the woody species richness directly, either by selective extraction of resources or by browsing of palatable species for livestock, or indirectly, by modifying characteristics of the forest structure and productivity. To test our model, we sampled forest remnants in a very extensive area submitted to long standing chronic pressure. Our forests cells (200 × 200 m) were characterized both in terms of woody species composition, structure, and human pressure. Our structural equation models (SEMs) showed that chronic disturbance is driving a loss of species richness. This was done mainly by indirect effects through the reduction of large trees density. We assume that changes in tree density modify the environmental conditions, thus increasing the stress and finally filtering some specific species. The analysis of both, direct and indirect, allows us to gain a better understanding of the processes behind plant species loss in this SDTF.

scholarly journals Hydraulic diversity stabilizes productivity in a large-scale subtropical tree biodiversity experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Schnabel ◽  
Xiaojuan Liu ◽  
Matthias Kunz ◽  
Kathryn E. Barry ◽  
Franca J. Bongers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Tree Species Richness

AbstractExtreme climatic events threaten forests and their climate mitigation potential globally. Understanding the drivers promoting ecosystems stability is therefore considered crucial to mitigate adverse climate change effects on forests. Here, we use structural equation models to explain how tree species richness, asynchronous species dynamics and diversity in hydraulic traits affect the stability of forest productivity along an experimentally manipulated biodiversity gradient ranging from 1 to 24 tree species. Tree species richness improved stability by increasing species asynchrony. That is at higher species richness, inter-annual variation in productivity among tree species buffered the community against stress-related productivity declines. This effect was mediated by the diversity of species’ hydraulic traits in relation to drought tolerance and stomatal control, but not the community-weighted means of these traits. Our results demonstrate important mechanisms by which tree species richness stabilizes forest productivity, thus emphasizing the importance of hydraulically diverse, mixed-species forests to adapt to climate change.

scholarly journals Multitrophic functional diversity predicts ecosystem functioning in experimental assemblages of estuarine consumers

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan S Lefcheck ◽  
J. Emmett Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Experimental Investigations

The use of functional traits to explain how biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning has attracted intense interest, yet few studies have a priori altered functional diversity, especially in multitrophic communities. Here, we manipulated multivariate functional diversity of estuarine grazers and predators within multiple levels of species richness to test how species richness and functional diversity predicted ecosystem functioning in a multitrophic food web. Community functional diversity was a better predictor than species richness for the majority of ecosystem properties, based on general linear mixed effects models. Combining inferences from 8 traits into a single multivariate index increased prediction accuracy of these models relative to any individual trait. Structural equation modeling revealed that functional diversity of both grazers and predators was important in driving final biomass within trophic levels, with stronger effects observed for predators. We also show that different species drove different ecosystem responses, with evidence for both sampling effects and complementarity. Our study extends experimental investigations of functional trait diversity to a multilevel food web, and demonstrates that functional diversity can be more accurate and effective than species richness in predicting community biomass in a food web context.

scholarly journals Multitrophic functional diversity predicts ecosystem functioning in experimental assemblages of estuarine consumers

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan S Lefcheck ◽  
J. Emmett Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Experimental Investigations

The use of functional traits to explain how biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning has attracted intense interest, yet few studies have a priori manipulated functional diversity, especially in multitrophic communities. Here, we manipulated multivariate functional diversity of estuarine grazers and predators within two levels of species richness to test how species richness and functional diversity predicted ecosystem functioning in a multitrophic food web. Community functional diversity was a better predictor than species richness for the majority of ecosystem properties, based on general linear mixed effects models. Combining inferences from 8 traits into a single multivariate index increased prediction accuracy of these properties relative to any individual trait. Structural equation modeling revealed that functional diversity of both grazers and predators was important in driving final biomass within and between trophic levels, with stronger effects observed for predators. We also show that different species drove different ecosystem responses, with evidence for both sampling effects and complementarity. Our study extends experimental investigations of functional trait diversity to a multilevel food web, and demonstrates that functional diversity can be more accurate and effective than species richness in predicting community biomass in a food web context.

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