Southernmost Sweden Research Articles

Tomagnostella tullbergi n. sp. (Agnostidae) from the middle Cambrian Lejopyge laevigata Zone of Scandinavia.

A rare new agnostoid species, Tomagnostella tullbergi n. sp., is described from the lower part of the middle Cambrian Lejopyge laevigata Zone in Scandinavia, corresponding to the lower part of the Guzhangian global Stage. The species is currently known only from the Andrarum Limestone Bed of Skåne, southernmost Sweden, and coeval strata in the Oslo Region, Norway; it has also been recorded from ice-rafted Andrarum Limestone found in Germany. The material assigned to T. tullbergi n. sp. has previously been confused with Tomagnostella exsculpta. The new species is characterized by a cephalon with a moderately angular glabellar front (distinctly angular in T. exsculpta) and a pygidium with a narrow, pointed axis showing a depressed tip; a small secondary node is located within this depression close to the tip of the axis (in T. exsculpta the axis is broad and rounded posteriorly and without a posterior depression; a minute terminal node may or may not be present). Tomagnostella tullbergi n. sp. is also comparatively large-sized whereas T. exsculpta attains smaller maximum sizes.

The “Lund Moraine” – the geomorphic limit of the last Young Baltic ice advance in the Öresund region

ABSTRACT Here we present geomorphological evidence of a previously unrecognised ∼50 km long, ice-marginal moraine complex in southwestern Skåne, southernmost Sweden, which we name the “Lund Moraine”. This lobate moraine marks a sharp boundary between heavily streamlined and gently undulating landscapes, and closely outlines the extent of the “Lund till/diamicton”. We interpret that the moraine was formed by a northward readvance, corresponding to a last Young Baltic readvance of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet into Öresund. Consequently, we infer that the “Lund till/diamicton” was formed subglacially, in contrast to earlier interpretations of it being a waterlain diamicton. Based on previously published dates, stratigraphically below “Lund till/diamicton”, we infer that this readvance occurred sometime after c. 16 cal. ka BP. This readvance could offer an explanation to the apparent discrepancy of observations of the postglacial marine limit from outside and inside the Lund Moraine. Our observations will hopefully settle the ∼50 years long controversy concerning the extent or even existence of such a readvance into Öresund. We expect that our findings will guide further work towards disentangling the complex deglacial history of Skåne and the wider Öresund region.

Religious service attendance and mortality: A population-based prospective cohort study in southern Sweden

AimsThe aim is to investigate associations between attendance in religious service during the past year and all-cause, cardiovascular (CVD), cancer and other cause mortality. Study designProspective cohort study. MethodsA public health survey with three reminders was sent to a stratified random sample of the adult 18–80 population in southernmost Sweden in 2008. The response rate was 54.1%, and 24,855 participants were included in this study. The cross-sectional baseline survey was connected to mortality data with 8.3-year follow-up. Analyses were conducted in Cox regression models. Results13.9% had attended religious service at least once during the past year, and 86.1% had not attended. The group with religious attendance contained significantly higher proportions of women, high and medium position non-manual employees, participants born abroad, never alcohol consumers, respondents with high trust in others and respondents with high social participation. It also contained significantly lower proportions with low leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and daily smokers. Religious service attendance during the past year was significantly associated with lower hazard rate ratios (HRRs) of all-cause mortality compared to non-attendance until social participation items were introduced in the final model. HRRs of CVD mortality were significantly lower for religious attendance in the multiple models until BMI and health-related behaviors were introduced. No significant results were observed for cancer and other cause mortality. ConclusionsThe results suggest that religious service attendance in a highly secularized country such as Sweden is significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality, which may be explained by a social network pathway in this highly secularized population.

Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) data allows identification of crop sequence patterns and diversity in organic and conventional farming systems.

Farmers grow crops in specific sequences to lower disease pressure and boost crop productivity, particularly in organic farming where artificial pesticides and chemical fertilisers are prohibited. Knowledge about crop sequences used in organic and conventional farming will aid the development of future farming systems through optimising crop diversity and pre-crop effects for improved resource efficiency. This study aims to investigate crop diversity and patterns in organic and conventional crop sequences in Sweden. Large-scale LPIS field data managed by the European Union (EU) Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) were used to monitor crop sequences on arable land in Sweden over 10 consecutive years (2005–2014). Individual fields (land parcels) could be followed on 40% of Sweden’s total arable area (349,891 fields extracted) over the 10 years. The LPIS data was combined with information from a database on which fields were farmed organically. Crop distribution, diversity of crop sequences and pre-crops to the main cereal crops (winter wheat, spring barley) were analysed in organic and conventional farming systems in the five agricultural productivity zones of Sweden. The results showed that in the most productive zone in southernmost Sweden, small-grain cereals (particularly winter wheat) were the most common crops (62%), followed by oilseeds (11%), ley and forage crops (9%) and sugar beet (8%), when excluding permanent grassland. In the least productive zone (at higher altitudes and/or latitudes), ley and forage crops dominated (67%), followed by spring cereals (barley, oats) (23%). Crop diversity was higher in the two more productive zones (mean 4.6 crop types) than in two less productive zones (3.4) and organic farms showed 9% higher crop diversity than conventional farms in the most productive zones. Overall, in all zones, the pre-crop to winter wheat was generally a different crop type (3 out of 5 times) e.g., young ley (1–2 years) or grain legume, while the pre-crop to spring barley was most often (4 out of 5 times) another cereal. For both these crops, pre-crop type was more diverse in organic than conventional systems. These findings demonstrate that LPIS data can offer valuable insights into agronomic trends and on-farm practices regarding crop choice and that analysis of field-level LPIS data on crop sequences at large scale can reveal information about organic and conventional cropping in different productivity zones across countries. This information can be used to understand the practical limitations in the use of crop diversity to maximise pre-crop effects. This could in turn support advisory service and policy makers to facilitate more sustainable, productive and resource efficient crop production.

Growing Inwards: Densification and Ecosystem Services in Comprehensive Plans from Three Municipalities in Southern Sweden

This article analyses how urban densification, primarily in relation to ecosystem services, is addressed in comprehensive plans from three cities in southernmost Sweden: Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg. The aim was to investigate and problematise how the comprehensive plans articulate and negotiate how to build dense cities while preserving and enhancing ecosystem services. A qualitative content analysis was performed on the comprehensive plans in use during the study period. The comprehensive plans were all ambitiously formulated. However, three recurrent issues were found. Planners struggled to address the issue of scale: Ecosystem services in the city were addressed when planning for densification, while ecosystem services for the city were either omitted or mentioned in the passing. The timeframe in relation to sustainable urban development was also not clarified. Most importantly, there were profound unclarities regarding priorities. Densification was suggested to provide all positive qualities simultaneously, including enhancing and supporting ecosystem services, which is, from a systems viewpoint, not possible. We suggest that when planning for sustainable cities, based on best available research, politicians should bring the prioritisation process to the fore, to clarify and address how to plan for dense, healthy cities with functioning ecosystem services in a more holistic manner.

Leisure-time physical activity, desire to increase physical activity, and mortality: A population-based prospective cohort study

The aim was to investigate associations between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and mortality, and associations between desire to increase LTPA and mortality within the low LTPA group. A public health survey questionnaire was sent in 2008 to a stratified random sample of the population aged 18–80 in southernmost Sweden, yielding a 54.1% response rate. Baseline 2008 survey data with 25,464 respondents was linked to cause of death register data to create a prospective cohort with 8.3-year follow-up. Associations between LTPA, desire to increase LTPA and mortality were analyzed in logistic regression models. An 18.4% proportion performed regular exercise (at least 90 min/week, leading to sweating), 23.2% moderate regular exercise (once or twice a week at least 30 min/occasion, leading to sweating), 44.3% moderate exercise (more than two hours walking or equivalent activity/week) and 14.1% reported low LTPA (less than two hours walking or equivalent activity/week). These four LTPA groups were significantly associated with covariates included in the multiple analyses. The results showed significantly higher all-cause, cardiovascular (CVD), cancer and other cause mortality for the low LTPA group but not for the moderate regular exercise and moderate exercise groups compared to the regular exercise group. Both the “Yes, but I need support” and the “No” fractions within the low LTPA group had significantly increased ORs of all-cause mortality compared to the “Yes, and I can do it myself” reference, while no significant associations were observed for CVD mortality. Physical activity promotion is particularly warranted in the low LTPA group.

From Neolithic Boom-and-Bust to Iron Age Peak and Decline: Population and Settlement Dynamics in Southern Sweden Inferred from Summed Radiocarbon Dates

This article presents 6637 radiocarbon dates from archaeological sites in southernmost Sweden, from 9000 cal bc to the present. Based on summed probability distributions (SPDs) of the calibrated radiocarbon dates, the authors consider long-term trends in settlement and human population. Most dates are from the fertile and densely populated plains of south-western Scania, but coastal lowlands and forested uplands are also represented, allowing for a discussion of the relationship between central and peripheral areas. The authors distinguish between different types of archaeological contexts and features and between different types of dated material, so as to better understand the processes behind population and settlement change. They highlight three periods and phenomena revealed by the SPDs: a strong population increase at the onset of the Neolithic (4000–3700 cal bc), followed by a sharp decline; a steady and long-lasting expansion from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman Iron Age (1500 cal bc–cal ad 200); and a decrease in the Nordic Late Iron Age (seventh century ad), particularly in recently colonized upland areas. The SPDs presented provide a new framework for archaeology in southern Sweden and offer an empirical basis for discussion of long-term trends in settlement and population development.

Diachronic forager mobility: untangling the Stone Age movement patterns at the sites Norje Sunnansund, Skateholm and Västerbjers through strontium isotope ratio analysis by laser ablation

Strontium isotope ratios in human teeth from the three Swedish prehistoric Stone Age hunter-fisher-gathering societies Norje Sunnansund (Maglemose), Skateholm (Ertebølle) and Västerbjers (Pitted Ware Culture) were analysed with laser ablation to produce data on both individual movement patterns and societal mobility trends. The analyses of teeth from both Skateholm and Västerbjers displayed homogeneous ratios and corresponding mobility patterns, while the data from Norje Sunnansund showed larger variances with heterogenous strontium ratios and varied inter-individual mobility patterns. Correlation with the bioavailable baseline suggests that the size of the geographical areas, where human strontium ratios could have originated, was roughly comparable for all three sites. The teeth measurements were reflected within a 50-km radius of the surrounding landscape and the 25–75% data quartile matched with distances between 3 and 30 km from the sites, suggesting limited mobility ranges among aquatically dependent foragers from southernmost Sweden. By applying ethnographic analogies and site-specific contextual inferences, the results suggest that mobility ranges at Norje Sunnansund were likely not delimited by neighbouring group territories. This changed over time and an increasing territorialisation of the landscape may have influenced movement patterns and caused restrictions to the foraging activities at both Skateholm and Västerbjers.

Health locus of control and all-cause, cardiovascular, cancer and other cause mortality: A population-based prospective cohort study in southern Sweden

The aim was to investigate associations between health locus of control (HLC) and all-cause, cardiovascular (CVD), cancer and other cause mortality. A public health postal questionnaire was distributed in the autumn of 2008 to a stratified random sample of the 18–80 year old adult population in Scania in southernmost Sweden. The participation rate was 54.1%, and 25,517 participants were included in the present study. Baseline 2008 survey data was linked to cause of death register data to create a prospective cohort with 8.3-year follow-up. Associations between health locus of control and mortality were investigated in survival (Cox) regression models. Prevalence of internal HLC was 69.0% and external HLC 31.0% among women. Internal HLC was 67.6% and external HLC 32.4% among men. In the models with women and men combined, external HLC had significantly higher all-cause, CVD, cancer and other cause mortality even after adjustments for sociodemographic factors and chronic disease at baseline, but after the introduction of health-related behaviors, external HLC only displayed higher cancer mortality compared to internal HLC. External HLC displayed higher all-cause, cancer and other cause mortality for men in the final model adjusted for health-related behaviors, but not for women. Other pathways than health-related behaviors may exist for the association between external HLC and cancer mortality, particularly among men.

Probabilistic analysis of climate change impact on fungal decay of timber elements in ground contact and their long-term structural performance

ABSTRACT Climate change can substantially affect infrastructure performance and safety. In this article, the impact of climate change on fungal decay of wooden infrastructure in ground contact is investigated. For this purpose, projections of three different climate change scenarios are used to assess the impact of climate change on fungal decay rate of untreated clear wood elements in ground contact in Sweden. The highest increase in the average decay rate is observed for four counties located in mid-Sweden, i.e. Örebro, Värmland, Västmanland, and Gävleborg. Furthermore, two illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the impact of the increased decay rates on the structural performance and long-term reliability of timber elements in four selected counties, Skåne (southernmost Sweden), Örebro, Värmland, and Västmanland. In the first illustrative example, the impact of climate change on the bending moment capacity of untreated timber utility poles is assessed while in the second the impact on the long-term reliability of axially loaded untreated columns is investigated. In the four studied counties, it is found that climate change can have considerable impacts on the structural performance and long-term reliability of timber elements in ground contact.

Corrigendum to “A high-resolution Lateglacial–Early Holocene tephrostratigraphy from southernmost Sweden with comments on the Borrobol–Penifiler tephra complex” [Quat. Geochronol. 67 (2022) 101239

Corrigendum to “A high-resolution Lateglacial–Early Holocene tephrostratigraphy from southernmost Sweden with comments on the Borrobol–Penifiler tephra complex” [Quat. Geochronol. 67 (2022) 101239

Synchronous or Not? The Timing of the Younger Dryas and Greenland Stadial-1 Reviewed Using Tephrochronology

The exact spatial and temporal behaviour of rapid climate shifts during the Last Glacial–Interglacial Transition are still not entirely understood. In order to investigate these events, it is necessary to have detailed palaeoenvironmental reconstructions at geographically spread study sites combined with reliable correlations between them. Tephrochronology, i.e., using volcanic ash deposits in geological archives as a dating and correlation tool, offers opportunities to examine the timing of events across wider regional scales. This study aims to review the posited asynchrony of the Younger Dryas stadial in comparison with Greenland Stadial-1 by correlating new proxy data from southernmost Sweden to previous palaeoclimate reconstructions in Europe based on the presence of the Hässeldalen Tephra, the Vedde Ash, and the Laacher See Tephra. μ-XRF core-scanning data were projected using a recently published age–depth model based on these tephras and several radiocarbon dates, and compared to previous findings, including by adapting previous chronologies to the recently proposed earlier date of the Laacher See Tephra (13,006 ± 9 cal. a BP). Although the results to some extent support the idea of a more synchronous Younger Dryas event than previously assumed, this issue requires further high-resolution proxy studies to overcome limitations of temporal precision.

Migration patterns of Swedish Greylag geese Anser anser\u2014implications for flyway management in a changing world

Significant population growth of some European goose populations has led to initiatives to implement management at the flyway level. Understanding migration routes and spatiotemporal distribution is crucial for the successful and coordinated management of migratory species such as geese. In this study, we describe movements across the entire annual cycle in 76 Greylag geese (Anser anser) fitted with GPS tracking devices at five catch sites in Sweden. We show that Greylag geese breeding in Sweden still use a NE-SW migration path. However, the wintering range has undergone a northward shift during the last decades. Compared to previous studies, our data suggest a continued reduction in migration distance, being most pronounced in birds in southernmost Sweden. Greylag geese tagged in southernmost Sweden spent almost the entire annual cycle in Sweden and Denmark (97 and 100% of all GPS locations). In contrast, the flyway of Greylag geese from the northern catch sites still covers countries from Sweden to Spain, but presently, only a small fraction of the population migrates to Spain. Instead, most of the annual cycle is spent in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, or Germany. The contrasting spatiotemporal distribution in geese of different geographical origin indicates that management initiatives for the NW/SW European Greylag Goose population need to consider that different migration strategies occur within previously defined management units. As a consequence, coordination of management actions (e.g. monitoring, harvest quotas, reserves) may need to consider different spatial scales, i.e. from the regional to the international scale depending on the origin of the Greylag geese.

A high-resolution Lateglacial–Early Holocene tephrostratigraphy from southernmost Sweden with comments on the Borrobol–Penifiler tephra complex

We present results from a cryptotephra investigation performed at a high resolution (0.5 cm) on sediments from Körslättamossen in southernmost Sweden. Six peak concentration levels were detected and extracted for geochemical analysis by electron probe microanalyser. Five of these levels were successfully analysed and we propose correlations to the Hässeldalen Tephra, the Vedde Ash, and the Laacher See Tephra (adding new analysis results for the first geochemically confirmed finding of the latter in Sweden), as well as an undetermined Borrobol-type tephra. The tephra identifications were combined with radiocarbon dated macrofossils in order to create an age model for the sampled sediments based on Bayesian methods. Stratigraphical and chronological results were found to concur with a previous study of the site and our results form the basis for discussion concerning the issues surrounding Lateglacial Borrobol-type tephras, of which we suggest further review in order to unlock these tephras’ full potential for Quaternary studies. • 5 cryptotephras detected in sediments from the Last Glacial–Interglacial Transition. • New geochemical data of the first confirmed Laacher See Tephra finding in Sweden. • Undetermined Borrobol-type tephra highlights the Borrobol–Penifiler tephra complex.

Changes in south-Swedish vegetation composition over the last 200 years as described by species-specific indicator and trait values and documented by museum and literature records

Vascular plant observances were compiled for 10 well-documented parishes in Scania, southernmost Sweden, from published floras, herbarium specimens, modern inventories, and a large citizen-science database to provide decade-level presence/absence data of species throughout the period 1800–2020. Species-specific plant traits and ecological indicator values were then used to examine functional and ecological changes based on the species composition, as well as the performance of particular vegetation types. The results were generally congruent among the 10 parishes, and indicate that several of the most important drivers of recent floristic changes, including climate changes, woody encroachment, and soil chemistry alterations have in fact acted continuously and concerted for more than a century. Floristic composition has shifted in favor of species with an affinity to higher N and P levels, as well as species which are generally more long-lived and competitive. Additionally, species less favored by grazing/mowing, and with lower demand for sunlight and moisture have increased. However, several of these trends appear to have accelerated over the past 50 years, and so has the increase of the proportion of alien invasive species in the flora. Species favored by climatic warming have also increased, at least since the 1970’s. The flora of different parts of the province has become more homogenous over time, indicating a loss of biodiversity at the regional, but not at the local scale. Instead, analyses of the biodiversity relevance, associated non-plant species and ecosystem services such as nectar production provided by the flora, suggest that local biodiversity is likely to have increased. The study demonstrates that even highly fragmented data, if compiled from a multitude of sources spanning centuries, may reveal congruent temporal changes in both biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecological drivers and provide a historic context for monitoring recent and future changes.

Fra grænselandet mellem to kulturer

Fra grænselandet mellem to kulturer

Molybdenum-uranium-vanadium geochemistry in the lower Paleozoic Alum Shale of Scandinavia: Implications for vanadium exploration

This paper investigates the hyper-enrichments of molybdenum (Mo), uranium (U), and vanadium (V) in the lower Paleozoic, Alum Shale of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia. Molybdenum and U are mainly associated with organic matter and the highest contents are found in the Furongian part of the Alum Shale. This Furongian hyper-enrichment of Mo and U commenced with the Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion (SPICE) event. The temporal distribution of V content increases moderately from the Miaolingian to the Furongian, followed by a significant increase in the Early Ordovician. In addition, the vanadium content generally increases towards the offshore, distal part of the Alum Shale basin. The geochemical affinity of V seems to change from organic matter in the Cambrian to minerals in the Early Ordovician. The hyper-enrichment of V in the Lower Ordovician succession appears to result from upwelling of deep oceanic water. The spatial distribution of V in the Alum Shale indicates that the highest concentrations are located in Scania, southernmost Sweden.

Long-term data shows increasing dominance of Bombus terrestris with climate warming

While many bumblebee species decline due to climate and land-use changes, others cope well with contemporary conditions. One example is Bombus terrestris, which is common in intensively managed agricultural landscapes. During the 20th century its subgenus, which includes the B. lucorum complex (B. lucorum, B. cryptarum and B. magnus) came to dominate Scandinavian bumblebee communities, but the specific contribution of B. terrestris remains to be understood. Using historical data on males, we assessed how the relative abundances of B. terrestris and the B. lucorum complex changed over the past 150 years in southernmost Sweden. We tested if these changes differed between simplified and mixed landscapes and whether the relative abundance of B. terrestris was related to annual mean temperatures. Because floral availability has advanced as a response to climate change, we also tested if the activity period of males (estimated as catching date) has advanced and whether the advancement differs between taxa. The relative abundance of B. terrestris increased similarly in both landscapes, from 21% to 79% over the period, and this was largely explained by increasing temperature. Male activity period has advanced similarly in the two taxa, with 41 days between 1900 and 2015. Although the dominance of B. terrestris correlates clearly with annual mean temperature, it remains to disentangle why. It also remains to understand whether the success of B. terrestris occurs at the expense of other species or simply reflects that this species copes better with contemporary conditions.

Proposing a new conceptual model for the reconstruction of ice dynamics in the SW sector of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) based on the reinterpretation of published data and new evidence from optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating

Abstract. We propose a new concept of the Weichselian ice dynamics in the south-western sector of the Baltic Sea depression. The review of existing geochronological data from Germany, Denmark and southernmost Sweden in combination with new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data from the German Oder Lobe area is the basis for a reassessment and an improvement of previous ice dynamic models. Factors like the pre-existing topography, glaciotectonic features and the occurrence of till beds and inter-till deposits of varying origin are also taken into consideration for our process-based reconstruction of the sedimentary environments close to the ice margin and hence the ice dynamics of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS). During the early MIS 3 (marine isotope stage), the late MIS 3 and MIS 2, the SIS advanced into present-day terrestrial areas around the south-western Baltic Sea Basin. The first ice advance during the warming phase in early MIS 3 is poorly documented as the Ellund–Warnow Advance in Germany but may be correlated with the numerically dated Ristinge Advance in Denmark and Sweden. The late MIS 3 advance in contrast is reliably documented. It shaped the landforms of the Brandenburg Advance and the maximum Weichselian ice extent in the Oder Lobe area in north-eastern Germany and occurred contemporaneously with the Klintholm Advance in southern Sweden and Denmark. The lack of a corresponding till in various cliff profiles along the Baltic Sea coastline between southern Schleswig-Holstein and the island of Rügen can be explained by the distinct lobate structure of this ice advance, which was strongly guided by the pre-existing low-lying topography. We propose the horst of Bornholm, Denmark, acting as an ice divide, with ice-dammed lakes existing on the lee side between two glacier lobes. This lobate structure had not been considered in previous conceptual models, which led to seemingly conflicting chronological and stratigraphical interpretations. Our introduction of the lobate structure for the first time resolves these contradictions and integrates the data in a coherent model. The dynamics of the MIS 2 readvance to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) extent were clearly different to the previous advance and were most likely characterized by a more uniformly advancing ice front with a less lobate structure which also overrode the horst of Bornholm and the island of Rügen. This advance reached the maximum Weichselian ice extent in some parts of the south-western SIS, but, in the Oder Lobe area, it is proven to have terminated at a lesser extent than the early MIS 3 advance, but it did shape the most prominent morphological landform record of the last glacial cycle. In order to advance the reconstruction of Weichselian ice dynamics in the future, we strongly suggest using both an MIS-based terminology and a process-based approach in the interpretation of geochronological data to live up to the dynamic nature of continental ice sheets.

Relationship between moth (night active Lepidoptera) diversity and vegetation characteristics in southern Sweden

The diversity and community composition of moths (both macro- and micromoths) at 32 sites, representing a wide range of habitat types (forests, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural and urban areas) within a restricted region in central Scania, southern-most Sweden, was investigated by use of light moth traps and compared with vascular plant species richness and habitat characteristics. The results revealed a highly significant general association between vegetation composition and the composition of the moth community and multivariate (CCA) analyses indicated light availability and soil fertility parameters (pH and macronutrients) to be the habitat characteristics that best correlated with moth community composition. Less strong, but still significant, positive relationships between moth abundance and local vascular plant diversity were also revealed. Moth species richness was positively correlated with diversity of woody plant genera in the neighborhood, but not with local vascular plant diversity in general. As for more general site characteristics, there were tendencies for higher moth richness and abundance at sites with more productive soils (well-drained, high pH, high nutrient availability), while shading/tree canopy cover, management, soil disturbance regimes and nectar production appeared unrelated to moth community parameters. It is concluded that local moth assemblages are strongly influenced by site characteristics and vegetation composition.Implications for insect conservation:The results show that obtaining moth data on a local scale is useful for conservation planning and does not need to be very cumbersome. Local moth assemblages monitored are indeed related to local site characteristics of conservation relevance.