ePrints

The distribution of grassland Auchenorrhyncha assemblages (Homoptera: Cercopidae, Cicadellidae, Delphacidae) in northern England and Scotland

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Michael Eyre, Dr Martin Luff

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

The distribution of Auchenorrhyncha species assemblages on 174 grassland sites in northern England and Scotland was investigated using ordination and classification techniques. Altitude appeared to be the most important environmental variable influencing assemblage distribution but the effects of altitude on soil type and moisture, and on plant composition, either herbaceous or woody, and structure were likely to have been primary influences. The main differences between sites in the eight habitat groups of the classification were products of these soil and plant variables, with the geographical position of sites in the survey area having less of an effect on site classification. A considerable number of nationally and regionally rare and scarce species were recorded. The results indicate that Auchenorrhyncha could be used in site conservation based on invertebrate species assemblages and rare species distribution but that more information is required to assess both habitat diversity and species rarity. More survey work would also be required to identify appropriate site management procedures for the conservation of Auchenorrhyncha within an overall programme for terrestrial invertebrates.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Eyre MD, Woodward JC, Luff ML

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Insect Conservation

Year: 2001

Volume: 5

Issue: 1

Pages: 37-45

Print publication date: 01/01/2001

ISSN (print): 1366-638X

ISSN (electronic): 1572-9753

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1011330624531

DOI: 10.1023/A:1011330624531

Altmetrics

Share