Journal article

Publication year: 2005

Pages: 9-16

Journal: Myrmecological News

Volume number: 7

URL: https://myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=148&Itemid=351

Publisher: ÖGEF, Österr. Ges. für Entomofaunistik

Abstract: 

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of four types of
grassland management (silage meadows, hay meadows, meadow pastures and
cattle pastures) on species richness and composition of ant communities.
No impact of management type on ant species richness and community
composition could be revealed. In contrast, moisture and total nitrogen
content of the soil had a strong influence on the number of ant species.
We could not find a relationship between species richness of ant
communities and plant diversity. It is concluded that differences in
intensity between the four management types were probably not strong
enough for affecting ant communities differentially. Thus, assuming the
maintenance of low intensity agriculture, a mosaic of different regimes
of grassland management seems not to be imperative for maintaining ant
diversity in mesic grasslands of marginal regions of Central Europe. In
contrast, environmental conditions are important and should be
considered in grassland management schemes aiming at protecting ant
diversity.

Harvard Citation style: Dahms, H., Wellstein, C., Wolters, V. and Dauber, J. (2005) Effects of management practices on ant species richness and community composition in grasslands (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Myrmecological News, 7, pp. 9-16. https://myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=148&Itemid=351

APA Citation style: Dahms, H., Wellstein, C., Wolters, V., & Dauber, J. (2005). Effects of management practices on ant species richness and community composition in grasslands (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News. 7, 9-16. https://myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=148&Itemid=351