Abstract
The integration of food production and biodiversity conservation represents a key challenge for sustainability. Several studies suggest that even small structural elements in the landscape can make a substantial contribution to the overall biodiversity value of the agricultural landscapes. Pastures can have high biodiversity potential. However, their intensive and monofunctional use typically erodes its natural capital, including biodiversity. Here we address the ecological value of fine scale structural elements represented by sparsely scattered trees and shrubs for the spider communities in a moderately intensively grazed pasture in Transylvania, Eastern Europe. The pasture was grazed with sheep, cattle and buffalo (ca 1 Livestock Unit ha-1) and no chemical fertilizers were applied. Sampling sites covered the open pasture as well as the existing fine-scale heterogeneity created by scattered trees and shrub. 40 sampling locations each being represented by three 1 m2 quadrats were situated in a stratified design while assuring spatial independency of sampling locations. We identified 140 species of spiders, out of which 18 were red listed and four were new for the Romanian fauna. Spider species assemblages of open pasture, scattered trees, trees and shrubs and the forest edge were statistically distinct. Our study shows that sparsely scattered mature woody vegetation and shrubs substantially increases the ecological value of managed pastures. The structural complexity provided by scattered trees and shrubs makes possible the co-occurrence of high spider diversity with a moderately high intensity grazing possible in this wood-pasture. Our results are in line with recent empirical research showing that sparse trees and shrubs increases the biodiversity potential of pastures managed for commodity production.
Highlights
The integration of commodity production and biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes is an increasing challenge for sustainability [1]
We highlight a remarkably high number of spider species in the studied pasture, which includes four previously unknown species for Romania and several species which are considered rare in Europe
Fine-scale structural elements represented by sparse trees and shrubs had significant influence on the spider species assemblages from the ground and low vegetation
Summary
The integration of commodity production and biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes is an increasing challenge for sustainability [1]. Sparse trees and shrubs increase spider biodiversity especially important in meeting this challenge because these landscapes have exceptional ecological values and evolved as commodity (food, timber, vine) production landscapes [2], [3], [4]. Within this context, traditionally managed pastures with small natural features such as the sparse trees and shrubs are considered archetypes of traditional landscapes with high natural and cultural values in Europe [5]. Sparse mature trees and shrubs provided several benefits for the local farmer communities including shadow for livestock, fruits, halting soil erosion and cultural-aesthetic values (overviewed e.g. in [6]) Besides their important socio-economic roles, scattered trees are considered keystone habitat structures [7], [8]. The main goal of this contribution is to document the ecological importance of sparse trees and shrubs for the overall pasture biodiversity in a moderately intensively grazed pasture from (Transylvania, Romania)
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