Abstract
Traditional and extensively used agricultural lands maintain and protect high levels of biological diversity. This diversity is in decline due to land use intensification and abandonment. Natural and semi-natural grasslands of the Carpathian lowlands have become endangered over the 19th century. However, some remains of former wetlands have survived land use change in the Bereg Region (North-eastern Hungary and Eastern Ukraine). We surveyed Orthopterans as sensitive indicators of habitat structure and microclimate in grasslands. We identified three different Orthoptera assemblages and their character species. Although rare and especially valuable species were not found in the studied sites, the species rich remains of wetlands still protected relics of former wildlife of wetlands. Understanding the quantitative character of the assemblages, ratios of life forms and particularly co-occurrences of their character species (Chorthippus dorsatus, Leptophyes albovittata, Tettigonia viridissima and Ruspolia nitidula) and use of Grasshopper Conservation Indexes (GCI) can help to identify remaining good quality patches with highest conservation value and monitoring.Implications for insect conservationThe focused management of these habitats with reconsideration of the traditional water management can be effective practice for wetland management and Orthoptera conservation.
Highlights
And traditionally used European agricultural lands once maintained and protected significant biological diversity (Dover et al 2010; Habel et al 2013; Feurdean et al 2018) due to intermediate disturbance of natural habitats (Wilson 1994; Townsend et al 1997)
Its special mosaic landscape structure is a result of its transitional geographical situation, edaphic factors, and varied types of land uses
We identify character species to be used in habitat characterisation, evaluation of natural value, and monitoring of grasslands
Summary
And traditionally used European agricultural lands once maintained and protected significant biological diversity (Dover et al 2010; Habel et al 2013; Feurdean et al 2018) due to intermediate disturbance of natural habitats (Wilson 1994; Townsend et al 1997). This diversity has impoverished and become potentially endangered throughout Europe due to the intensification of land use, the. The Bereg Plain is located in the north-eastern part of the Pannonian Lowland and is a unique biogeographical region in eastern Central Europe, located on the two sides of the Hungarian–Ukrainian border. Thanks to remaining undisturbed natural and semi-natural habitats, the region is home to numerous species that are protected by Hungarian and EU legislation (Varga 1992; Evans 2006; Habitats Scientific Committee 2013; Nagy and Rácz 2014; Szanyi et al. Vol.:(0123456789)
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