Contrasting and altitude‐specific temporal trends in functional, phylogenetic, and species diversity in Austrian butterfly communities

Oikos, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Climate change and anthropogenic alteration of landscapes negatively impact the abundance species diversity plant animal communities worldwide. Much less is known about effects on phylogenetic community functioning. Here we use long‐term butterfly data (1980–2022) from Austrian Alps along an elevation gradient. We assessed how adjust structures functionality to increasing temperatures, these changes are linked trait expression Species decreased at low intermediate altitudes, increased high ones. Functional was lower than expected by a random model altitudes with time high, but not altitudes. Phylogenetic did show significant temporal trends altitude, Multifunctionality significantly correlated functional diversity, diversity. argue that ongoing homogenisation Alpine strongly affects species, The assessment richness alone, as provided common surveys, might give false impression state insect in course climate change. directions faunal heavily depend altitude therefore specific climatic conditions. Higher face decreasing multifunctionality despite due induced altitudinal up‐hill shifts many species. conclude studies series should include besides being focused endangerment. Red lists be extended categories importance distinctness.

Language: Английский

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Unrecorded Butterfly Species and Potential Local Extinctions: The Role of Citizen Science and Sampling

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Estimating species extinction risk is crucial to reverse biodiversity loss and adopt proper conservation measures. Different sources may play a pivotal role in prioritising conservation. Recently, citizen science demonstrated substantial role, especially when it comes butterflies. This study examines records richness Aosta Valley, which represents one of the highest mountain areas Europe. Through 30,351 data points from 1825 2022, impact efficiency three groups were investigated: literature (i.e., publications collections), sampling (butterfly experts' recording), (open‐source databases). The also aims assess potential butterflies relation functional traits. results showed that even if there significant differences number between sources, no for recorded. Moreover, 2.9% butterfly community risks extinction, related some response Indeed, increase altitudinal range decreases multivoltines. In conclusion, has strong on amount could be exploited fill gaps at low/medium altitudes. However, professional needed focus longer reported, particular are difficult identify, have specific distributions or traits (e.g., limited range). Using different estimation, trait analysis, possible prioritise studies using efforts (sampling and/or sciences).

Language: Английский

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Altitudinal distributions of endangered butterflies in the Austrian Alps

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 306, P. 111129 - 111129

Published: April 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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Phenological plasticity alters community structures of alpine Lepidoptera

Published: May 7, 2025

The current increase in annual temperatures is altering the spatial distribution and timing of activity patterns, i.e. phenology, many animal plant species. Theory predicts such phenological plasticity to affect community composition food web structure. We inferred temporal changes Lepidoptera phenology a mountainous region northern Austria characterised by ongoing environmental climate change. Long-term records (1960‒2022) representing 189,993 2111 species at two altitudinal belts served assess weekly resolution. Temporal trends towards earlier appearance spring prolonged autumn altered short-term lower higher altitudes. Phenological was high throughout study period increased over course years becoming more fuzzy autumn. Variability decreased along years. found little evidence for synchronous shifts level, but buffered effects change on Lepidoptera. However, might webs interactions, particularly pollination, possibly insect diversity.

Language: Английский

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Climate change and the variability in community structure of Alpine Lepidoptera: unstable spring and fuzzy autumn

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 20, 2024

The current increase in annual temperatures is altering spatial distribution and timing of activity patterns, i.e. phenology, many animal plant species. Theory predicts consequences altered phenology at the community level possible mismatches within food chains. We inferred temporal changes Lepidoptera a mountainous region northern Austria under climate change their implications for structure stability. Long-term records (1990‒2022) representing 110,794 1838 species two altitudinal belts served to assess phenologies weekly resolution. calculated shifts from Sørensen Spearman rank order similarities quantified respective trends similarity across study period linear polynomic models. observed towards earlier appearance spring prolonged autumn caused significant disassembly lower altitudes throughout vegetation period. These were most pronounced summer regard both, composition dominance hierarchy. At higher altitudes, less visible Community alters web structures affect interactions, particularly pollination possibly insect diversity. Further studies need long-term effects on Alpine ecosystem functioning.

Language: Английский

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Intra‐ and inter‐specific variability in the temporal trends of butterfly phenology in the Northern Alps

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 11, 2024

Abstract Large‐scale declines in insect abundances and richness due to climate land‐use change have been well documented during the past years. These changes are accompanied by shifts phenology towards earlier appearance spring prolonged activity periods late summer autumn. The magnitude of these responses might be masked intra‐ inter‐specific variability trait expression. Here, we used a large data set museum records butterflies from northern Austrian Alps (380 m >3000 asl) ask which degree does autumn numbers generations affect temporal trends last 30 years? For 17 most abundant species, found phenological strongly differ among local habitats study Ubiquitous mobile species were significantly more variable than habitat specialist sedentary species. Intra‐specific was highest ubiquitous generalist increased period. As consequence, seasonal composition butterfly communities now less predictable decades ago. It remains unclear whether this trend causes rewiring pollinator food webs.

Language: Английский

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Increasing stability of northern Austrian Lepidoptera populations over three decades

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 27, 2024

Abstract Agricultural intensification has led to landscape homogenisation across major parts of Europe and reduced diversity in flora fauna. In Central Europe, the species composition insect groups is increasingly dominated by a few ecologically generalist mobile species. So far, however, degree stability population sizes today's anthropogenic landscapes comparison pre‐Anthropocene hardly been analysed. Here, we studied large museum records Lepidoptera from northern Austria spanning years 1990–2022 infer trends sizes. On average, dynamics decreased increased significantly over time. This trend was most pronounced lowland regions, where agricultural transformed former heterogeneous into intensively managed grasslands fields. Community structures are now ubiquitous Habitat specialist existing isolated patches particularly A metapopulation structure appeared have stabilising effect on dynamics. We conclude that altered community might not only stem selective decline but also patterns stochasticity. Higher associated with faunal homogenisation. Precise butterfly sensitivity analyses require long‐term data average composition.

Language: Английский

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