Understanding the Dynamics of Sex-Specific Responses Driven by Grassland Management: Using Syrphids as a Model Insect Group

Raja Imran Hussain (), Daniela Ablinger, Walter Starz, Jürgen Kurt Friedel and Thomas Frank ()
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Raja Imran Hussain: Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Daniela Ablinger: Institute of Organic Farming and Livestock Biodiversity, Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, 4601 Irdning, Austria
Walter Starz: Institute of Organic Farming and Livestock Biodiversity, Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, 4601 Irdning, Austria
Jürgen Kurt Friedel: Institute of Organic Farming, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Thomas Frank: Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Grassland ecosystems, managed by various grassland managements strategies, are the world’s most important land use. However, insect’s sex-specific responses within the context of grassland management have never been considered before. Therefore, our aim was to expand the understanding to the dynamics of grassland managements that drive sex-specific responses by using syrphids as a model insect group. We hypothesize that (1) male and female syrphids exhibit differential habitat preferences in grassland managements, (2) abundance and activity of male and female syrphid levels are influenced by vegetation structure in grassland habitats. Extensive and intensive grassland exhibited significantly different male and female syrphid abundance compared to abandoned grassland. Surprisingly, grassland management had a significant impact on male syrphids richness only, not on female. Flower cover significantly increased male and female syrphid abundance and richness. However, plant height significantly increased female syrphid abundance and richness only. Interestingly, abandoned grassland supports a higher amount of unique female syrphids than male syrphids. The dynamics of grassland management are not unidirectional, but they are multifaceted and multidirectional. Considering the importance of sex-specific responses by insects can provide a more comprehensive understanding of dynamics of grassland managements.

Keywords: grassland management; insect; pollinator; biodiversity; abandoned grassland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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