Abstract
Urban areas are beginning to be recognized as having potential for biodiversity conservation because of the relatively high richness of some taxa. However, little is known about what functional groups of organisms constitute this richness. We investigated biodiversity patterns in an abandoned quarry using the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment method based on insect groups according to their trophic guilds. We assessed the value of semi-natural and ruderal habitats. The ruderal sites were characterized by a higher diversity and abundance of phytophagous beetles and, unexpectedly, of parasitoids and predatory beetles, whereas the reverse was true for Hemiptera and Aculeata. Patterns of α-diversity were impacted by different factors than β-diversity: these primarily acted in opposite directions, depending on the habitat type. Species richness was positively related to the woody surroundings of habitat patches on semi-natural sites, but negatively related on ruderal sites. The Dominance index was negatively affected by human impact. Insect assemblages were diversified by taller vegetation, higher nutrient content, lesser human impact and a lower level of insolation in the grasslands with ruderal vegetation than in the semi-natural grasslands. A particular habitat type may constitute a source for some insect groups but a sink for others. Ruderal habitats utilized as a substitute for loss of the semi-natural vegetation are essential for the preservation of insect functional diversity and are suitable for vulnerable groups such as Parasitica. Post-industrial areas with a habitat mosaic of semi-natural and ruderal sites may enrich biodiversity in the urban landscape.
Highlights
Pressure on the natural environment is increasing globally (Obrist and Duelli 2010)
We recorded the highest number of individual insects (479) on xerothermic grassland 5, and the lowest number (87) at ruderal site 3 and hay meadow 3
The number of morphospecies at the sites with ruderal vegetation was negatively related to the degree of shelter of the grasslands from the wind, while species richness was higher at the sites with semi-natural vegetation that were surrounded by forest or shrubs (Tables 1 and 2)
Summary
Pressure on the natural environment is increasing globally (Obrist and Duelli 2010). Urbanization is expanding, in some developing countries, where high-biodiversity sources are endangered (Ricketts and Imhoff 2003; Lee 2007).Populations of animals have become more prone to extinction (Hanski 1999). The development of road networks leading to greater volumes of traffic is reducing suitable habitat area and increasing habitat patch isolation, road kill and core habitat deterioration (Fahrig 2003; Skórka et al 2013). Invasive species such as goldenrods in Europe are displacing natural vegetation in invaded habitats (Moroń et al 2009). Habitat suitability for wildlife is decreasing as a result of agricultural intensification, landscape homogenization, the abandonment of traditional extensive grassland management and building development, e.g. on xerothermic grasslands (Skórka et al 2007; Concepción et al 2008) All these environmental changes are reducing ecosystem complexity, especially in urban areas
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