Response of orthopterans to macroclimate changes: A 15-year case study in Central European humid grasslands

Abstract

Orthoptera is a good indicator taxon of macroclimate changes. In our case study, we analyzed data of orthopterans, vegetation, and macroclimate collected yearly from 2002 through 2017 in Central European humid grasslands. During the study period, the annual mean temperature increased, while the relative abundance of moderately hygrophilic orthopteran species decreased significantly. On the other hand, the species richness and diversity of the assemblages increased due, mostly, to an increase of graminicole/thermophilic species. According to our results, the conservation of the hygrophilic orthopteran assemblages of Central European humid grasslands under global warming can only be ensured by adequate land management, which can at least mitigate the effects of climate change resulting in the warming and drying of humid habitats.