Effects of landscape structure and land-use intensity on similarity of plant and animal communities

摘要: Aim Species richness in itself is not always sufficient to evaluate land management strategies for nature conservation. The exchange of species between local communities may be affected by landscape structure and land-use intensity. Thus, turnover, its inverse, community similarity, useful measures integrity from a diversity perspective. Location A European transect France Estonia. Methods We measured the similarity plant, bird, wild bee, true bug, carabid beetle, hoverfly spider sampled along gradients composition (e.g. total availability semi-natural habitat), configuration fragmentation) intensity pesticide loads). Results Total habitats had little effect on except bird communities, which were more homogeneous natural landscapes. Bee contrast, less similar landscapes with higher percentages habitats. Increased fragmentation decreased bug while plant showed nonlinear, U-shaped response. More intense use, specifically increased burden, led homogenization within sites. In these cases, habitat interacted load. Hoverfly beetle was differentially levels: beetles decreased, hoverflies we observed relationship. Main conclusions Our study demonstrates effects composition, communities. It indicates reduced dominated agricultural activities. Taxonomic groups differed their responses environmental drivers using but one group as an indicator 'biodiversity' such would thus advisable.