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Grassland intensification strongly reduces butterfly diversity in the Westerwald mountain range, Germany

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Abstract

The dramatic loss of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes poses a substantial challenge to conservation. Losses are mainly caused by an all-pervasive intensification of agricultural management over recent decades, negatively affecting a wealth of taxa including insects. Against this background, we here set out to quantify the effects of grassland management on butterflies, comprising an important indicator and pollinator group. We recorded butterflies along 47 transects in the Westerwald mountain range, western Germany, spanning an intensification gradient ranging from grassland fallows via traditionally and intensively managed hay meadows through to silage grasslands. The numbers of species, individuals, threatened species, individuals of threatened species, and additionally α-diversity and conservation value were highest on traditionally managed grasslands followed by fallows, intensively managed grasslands, and finally silage grasslands. Comparing traditionally managed with silage grasslands, losses amounted on average to 44% of species, 58% of individuals, 75% of threatened species, and 90% of individuals of threatened species. Overall, the conservation value as an integral indicator decreased by 86%. Our study indicates a near linear decrease in biodiversity with increasing management intensity (mowing frequency, fertilization), while fallows also comprised valuable butterfly habitat. This study exemplifies the dramatic loss of insects in agricultural landscapes through intensification, and highlights the value of traditionally managed grasslands but also fallows.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the farmers and landowners for tolerating our presence on their property.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Biology, Institute of Integrated Natural Sciences, Koblenz-Landau University, 56068, Koblenz, Germany

    Ira Hannappel & Klaus Fischer

  2. Department Biology, Institute of Integrated Natural Sciences, Koblenz-Landau University, Universitätsstraße 1, 56070, Koblenz, Germany

    Klaus Fischer

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  1. Ira Hannappel
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IH and KF designed the study, IH performed the field work, KF analysed the data with help from IH, IH and KF wrote the manuscript

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Correspondence to Klaus Fischer.

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Research involving human and animal participants

To obtain the data presented in the manuscript it has been necessary to involve animals. However, no individuals were removed from the field or killed. No human participants were involved in the work.

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Hannappel, I., Fischer, K. Grassland intensification strongly reduces butterfly diversity in the Westerwald mountain range, Germany. J Insect Conserv 24, 279–285 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-019-00195-1

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