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Using distribution patterns of five threatened invertebrates in a highly fragmented dune landscape to develop a multispecies conservation approach
Maes, D.; Bonte, D. (2006). Using distribution patterns of five threatened invertebrates in a highly fragmented dune landscape to develop a multispecies conservation approach. Biol. Conserv. 133(4): 490-499. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.08.001
In: Biological Conservation. Elsevier: Barking. ISSN 0006-3207; e-ISSN 1873-2917
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 280279 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Characteristics > Distribution > Spatial distribution
    Conservation
    Ecology > Landscape ecology
    Physiographic features > Landforms > Physiographic features > Dunes
    Topography > Dynamic topography
    Alopecosa fabrilis; Hipparchia semele; Issoria lathonia; Oedipoda caerulescens [WoRMS]; Xysticus sabulosus (Hahn, 1832) [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    Alopecosa fabrilis; Belgium; conservation; dynamic grey dunes; spatialdistribution; Hipparchia semele; Issoria lathonia; landscape effects;Oedipoda caerulescens; Xysticus sabulosus
Authors  Top 
  • Maes, D.
  • Bonte, D.
Abstract
    We analysed the patterns of occupancy of five threatened invertebrates in a highly fragmented dynamic grey dune landscape. During two years (2003–2004), 133 dune patches between Nieuwpoort (Belgium) and Bray-Dunes (France) varying in area, connectivity, eolian sand dynamics and trampling disturbance were sampled for five focal species: two spiders (Alopecosa fabrilis and Xysticus sabulosus), two butterflies (Issoria lathonia and Hipparchia semele) and one grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens). Overall diversity was highest in large and well connected patches that were characterised by high eolian sand dynamics and an intermediate trampling intensity. Patch occupancy differed greatly among species: all species significantly occurred more often in large and connected patches. High trampling intensity (by cattle and/or tourists) negatively affected the two ground dwelling spiders, but not the grasshopper or the butterfly species. High eolian sand dynamics positively affected the presence of the spider X. sabulosus, the grasshopper O. caerulescens and the butterfly H. semele, but had no significant effect on both other species. Colonisation was mainly explained by connectivity and never by patch area, while extinction events in H. semele were explained by small patch area. We discuss the implications of using a suite of focal species for management and restoration purposes in the highly fragmented dune area in Belgium and we promote the use of a multispecies approach for evaluating and monitoring conservation efforts in general.
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