RESEARCH PAPER
Mowing in agri-environmental schemes (AES) and rare species of Vertigo snails: hope for grasslands but a threat to snails
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Ecosystem Protection, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
 
 
Submission date: 2021-11-15
 
 
Final revision date: 2022-01-19
 
 
Acceptance date: 2022-02-02
 
 
Online publication date: 2022-03-05
 
 
Publication date: 2022-03-05
 
 
Corresponding author
Anna M. Lipińska   

Department of Ecosystem Protection, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, Kraków, 31-120, Poland, Poland
 
 
Folia Malacol. 2022;30(1):54-59
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Four Vertigo species are covered by special forms of protection under Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The habitats of these snails are currently rare in Europe. Since typical conservation practices are ineffective for this ecosystem, support mechanisms for measures maintaining biodiversity have been incorporated into agriculture in the form of agri-environmental schemes (AES). However, an inappropriately designed AES may threaten the survival of populations of globally endangered species such as Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy) as mowing and swath removal dates coincide with the snails’ activity period in the upper parts of the mown plants, the majority of their population will be removed from the area along with the harvested swath. In addition, mowing instantaneously and radically alters the habitat’s microclimate. The policy of mowing the total area thus leads to unprecedented habitat homogenisation across the landscape, especially when machine mowers are used. In the case of V. moulinsiana, the best approach would be not to mow the whole area but to leave a part unmown where these snails could live unhindered. Instead of machines, traditional mowing could be implemented, which entails cutting at a greater height above the sedge clump level. This would not destroy the tussock structure and would allow the habitat to recreate itself. In combination with the designation of unmown refuges, the effects of this approach could be quite beneficial to the snails.
 
REFERENCES (53)
1.
Anthes N., Fartmann T., Hermann G., Kaule G. 2003. Combining larval habitat quality and metapopulation structure: the key for successful management of pre-alpine Euphydryas aurinia colonies. Journal of Insect Conservation 7: 175–185. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027....
 
2.
Balmer O., Erhardt A. 2000. Consequences of succession on extensively grazed grasslands for Central European butterfly communities: Rethinking conservation practices. Conservation Biology 14: 746–757. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523....
 
3.
Banaszuk P., Kamocki A. K., Zarzecki R. 2016. Mowing with invasive machinery can affect chemistry and trophic state of rheophilous mire. Ecological Engineering 86: 31–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecol....
 
4.
Batáry P., Dicks L., Kleijn D., Sutherland W. J. 2015. The role of agri-environment schemes in conservation and environmental management. Conservation Biology 29: 1006–1016. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.1....
 
5.
Braschler B., Marini L., Thommen G. H., Baur B. 2009. Effects of small-scale grassland fragmentation and frequent mowing on population density and species diversity of orthopterans: a long-term study. Ecological Entomology 34: 321–329. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365....
 
6.
Cizek O., Zamecnik J., Tropek R., Kocarek P., Konvicka M. 2012. Diversification of mowing regime increases arthropods diversity in species-poor cultural hay meadows. Journal of Insect Conservation 16: 215–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841....
 
7.
Cameron R. A. D., Colville B., Falkner G., Holyoak A., Hornung E., Killeen I. J., Moorkens E. A., Pokryszko B. M., Proschwitz T., Tattersfield P., Valovirta I. 2003. Species accounts for snails of genus Vertigo listed in Annex II of the Habitat Directive: V. angustior, V. genesii, V. geyeri and V. moulinsiana (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Vertiginidae). Heldia 5: 151–170.
 
8.
Dengler J., Janisová M., Török P., Wellstein C. 2014. Biodiversity of Palaearctic grasslands: a synthesis. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 182: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee....
 
9.
Diggelen R. van, Middleton B., Bakker J. P., Grootjans A. P., Wassen M. J. 2006. Fens and floodplains of the temperate zone: present status, threats, conservation and restoration. Applied Vegetation Science 9: 157–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654....
 
10.
Dover J. W., Rescia A., Fungariño S., Fairburn J., Carey P., Lunt P., Dennis R. L. H., Dover C. J. 2010. Can hay harvesting detrimentally affect adult butterfly abundance? Journal of Insect Conservation 14: 413–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841....
 
11.
Fox R., Asher J., Brereton T., Roy D., Warren M. 2006. The state of butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Nature Bureau, Newbury, UK.
 
12.
Hájek M., Horsáková V., Hájková P., Coufal R., Dítě D., Němec T., Horsák M. 2020. Habitat extremity and conservation management stabilise endangered calcareous fens in a changing world. Science of the Total Environment 719: 134693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit....
 
13.
Halada L., Evans D., Romão C., Petersen J.-E. 2011. Which habitats of European importance depend on agricultural practices? Biodiversity and Conservation 20: 2365–2378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531....
 
14.
Janssen J. A. M., Rodwell J. S., Criado M. G., Arts G. H. P., Bijlsma R. J., Schaminee J. H. J. 2016. European red list of habitats. Part 2. Terrestrial and freshwater habitats. European Union.
 
15.
Johst K., Drechsler M., Thomas J., Settle J. 2006. Influence of mowing on the persistence of two endangered large blue butterfly species. Journal of Applied Ecology 43: 333–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365....
 
16.
Killeen I. J. 2003. Ecology of Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 6. English Nature, Peterborough.
 
17.
Kleijn D., Sutherland W. J. 2003. How effective are European agri-environment schemes in conserving and promoting biodiversity? Journal of Applied Ecology 40: 947–969. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365....
 
18.
Kleijn D., Baquero R. A., Clough Y., Diaz M., De Esteban J., Fernandez F., Gabriel D., Herzog F., Holzschuh A., Johl R., Knop E., Kruess A., Marszall E. J. P., Steffan-Dewenter I., Tscharntke T., Verhulst J., West T. M., Yela J. L. 2006. Mixed bio­diversity benefits of agri-environment schemes in five European countries. Ecology Letters 9: 243–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461....
 
19.
Klink R. van, Menz M. H. M., Baur H., Dosch O., Kühne I., Lischer L., Luka H., Meyer S., Szikora T., Unternährer D., Arlettaz R., Humbert J.-Y. 2019. Larval and phenological traits predict insect community response to mowing regime manipulations. Ecological Applications 29: e01900. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.19....
 
20.
Kołos A., Banaszuk P. 2018. Mowing may bring about vegetation change, but its effect is strongly modified by hydrological factors. Wetlands Ecology and Management 26: 879–892. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273....
 
21.
Konvicka M., Benes J., Cizek O., Kopecek F., Konvicka O., Vitaz L. 2008. How too much care kills species: Grassland reserves, agri-environmental schemes and extinction of Colias myrmidone (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) from its former stronghold. Journal of Insects Conservation 12: 519–525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841....
 
22.
Kotowski W., Jabłońska E., Bartoszuk H. 2013. Conservation management in fens: Do large tracked mowers impact functional plant diversity? Biological Conservation 167: 292–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioc....
 
23.
Kozub Ł., Goldstein K., Dembicz I., Wilk M., Wyszomirski T., Kotowski W. 2019. To mow or not to mow? Plant functional traits help to understand management impact on rich fen vegetation. Applied Vegetation Science 22: 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.1....
 
24.
Książkiewicz Z. 2014. Impact of land use on populations of Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) and Vertigo angustior (Jeffreys, 1830) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Vertiginidae): Ilanka River Valley (W. Poland). Folia Malacologica 22: 277–282. https://doi.org/10.12657/folma....
 
25.
Książkiewicz Z., Lipińska A., Zając K., Barga-Więcławska J. A. 2012. Poczwarówka zwężona Vertigo angustior. In: Makomaska-Juchiewicz M., Baran P. (eds). Monitoring gatunków zwierząt. Przewodnik metodyczny. Część II. GIOŚ, Warszawa, pp. 482–503.
 
26.
Książkiewicz-Parulska Z. 2019. Vertical migrations in two hygrophilous species of micro-snails in relation to time of the year and habitat type. Invertebrate Biology 138: e12253. https://doi.org/10.1111/ivb.12....
 
27.
Lamers L. P. M., Vile M. A., Grootjans A. P., Acreman M. C., Diggelen R. van, Evans M. G., Richardson C. J., Rochefort L., Kooijman A. M., Roelofs J. G. M., Smolders A. J. P. 2015. Ecological restoration of rich fens in Europe and North America: from trial and error to an evidence-based approach. Biological Reviews 90: 182–203. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12....
 
28.
Lawrence B. A., Zedler J. B. 2011. Formation of tussocks by sedges: effects of hydroperiod and nutrients. Ecological Application 21: 1745–1759. https://doi.org/10.1890/10-175....
 
29.
Lebeau J., Wesselingh R. A., Van Dyck H. 2015. Butterfly density and behaviour in uncut hay meadow strips: Behavioural ecological consequences of an Agri-Environmental Scheme. PLoS ONE 10 (8): e0134945. https://doi.org/10.1371/journa....
 
30.
Lipińska A. M. 2010. Poczwarówka jajowata Vertigo moulinsiana – rzadki gatunek ślimaka chroniony Dyrektywą Siedliskową. Chrońmy Przyrodę Ojczystą 66: 482–490.
 
31.
Lipińska A. M., Ćmiel A. M. 2016. Habitat structure effects on the distribution and abundance of the rare snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy 1849). Journal of Conchology 42: 79–83.
 
32.
Lipińska A. M, Ćmiel A. M., Kwaśna D., Myzyk S., Zając K., Zając T. 2020. The role of microhabitat and water level in regulating small-scale distribution, seasonal abundance and overwintering success of the protected snail Vertigo moulinsiana in a natural wetland. Polish Journal of Ecology 68: 229–241. https://doi.org/10.3161/150522....
 
33.
Lipińska A. M., Gołąb M. J., Ćmiel A. M. 2011. Occurrence of Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy 1849) in the Nida Wetlands (South Poland): interactive effects of vegetation and soil moisture. Journal of Conchology 40: 1–5.
 
34.
Lipińska A., Książkiewicz Z., Zając K., Barga-Więcławska J. A. 2012. Poczwarówka jajowata Vertigo moulinsiana. In: Makomaska-Juchiewicz M., Baran P. (eds). Monitoring gatunków zwierząt. Przewodnik metodyczny. Część II. GIOŚ, Warszawa, pp. 463–481.
 
35.
MRRW 2019. Przewodnik po działaniu rolno-środowiskowo-klimatycznym PROW 2014–2020 (Guide to agri-environment climate measure RDP 2014–2020). Ministerstwo Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi, Warszawa. Available online at https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnict... (accessed 10 January 2022).
 
36.
Myzyk S. 2011. Contribution to the biology of ten vertiginid species. Folia Malacologica 19: 55–80. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10125....
 
37.
Pärtel M., Bruun H. H., Sammul M. 2005. Biodiversity in temperate European grasslands: origin and conservation. Grassland Science in Europe 10: 1–14. https://portal.research.lu.se/....
 
38.
pdf.
 
39.
Peach M., Zedler J. B. 2006. How tussocks structure sedge meadow vegetation. Wetlands 26: 322–335. https://doi.org/10.1672/0277-5....
 
40.
Pokryszko B. M. 1990. The Vertinigidae of Poland (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Pupilloidea) - a systematic monograph. Annales Zoologici 43: 134–257.
 
41.
Pokryszko B. M. 2004. Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) Poczwarówka jajowata. In: Głowaciński Z., Nowacki J. (eds). Polska Czerwona Księga Zwierząt. Bezkręgowce. Instytut Ochrony Przyrody, PAN, Kraków, pp. 324–325.
 
42.
Raney P. A., Fridley J. D., Leopold D. J. 2014. Characterizing microclimate and plant community variation in wetlands. Wetlands 34: 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157....
 
43.
Rydin H., Jeglum J. K., Hooijer A. 2006. The biology of peatlands. Oxford University Press, Oxford. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof....
 
44.
0001.
 
45.
Singh P., Těšitel J., Plesková Z., Peterka T., Hájková P., Dítě D., Pawlikowski P., Hájek M. 2019. The ratio between bryophyte functional groups impacts vascular plants in rich fens. Applied Vegetation Science 22: 494–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.1....
 
46.
Stoate C., Báldi A., Beja P., Boatman N. D., Herzon I., van Doorn A., de Snoo G. R., Rakosy L., Ramwell C. 2009. Ecological impacts of early 21st century agricultural change in Europe – a review. Journal of Environmental Management 91: 22–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv....
 
47.
Sundberg S. 2012. Quick target vegetation recovery after restorative shrub removal and mowing in a calcareous fen. Restoration Ecology 20: 331–338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526....
 
48.
Tälle M., Bergman K.-O., Paltto H., Pihlgren A., Svensson R., Westerberg L., Wissman J., Milberg P. 2014. Mowing for biodiversity: grass trimmer and knife mower perform equally well. Biodiversity Conservation 23: 3073–3089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531....
 
49.
Tälle M., Deák B., Poschlod P., Valkó O., Westerberg L., Milberg P. 2018. Similar effects of different mowing frequencies on the conservation value of semi-natural grasslands in Europe. Biodiversity and Conservation 27: 2451–2475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531....
 
50.
Valkó O., Török P., Matus G., Tóthmérész B. 2012. Is regular mowing the most appropriate and cost-effective management maintaining diversity and biomass of target forbs in mountain hay meadows? Flora – Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants 207: 303–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flor....
 
51.
Vera F. W. M. 2000. Grazing ecology and forest history. CABI Publishing, Oxford, UK. https://doi.org/10.1079/978085....
 
52.
Zając K. 2004. Poczwarówka jajowata Vertigo moulinsiana. In: Adamski P., Bartel R., Bereszyński A., Kepel A., Witkowski Z. (eds). Gatunki zwierząt (z wyjątkiem ptaków). Poradniki ochrony siedlisk i gatunków Natura 2000 - podręcznik metodyczny. Ministerstwo Środowiska, Warszawa. T. 6, pp. 158–161.
 
53.
Záleská T., Holá E., Kučera J., Grill S., Šmilauer P., Štechová T. 2021. Mowing and disturbance increase survival rates of three rare moss species of fen meadows. Folia Geobotanica 56: 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224....
 
 
CITATIONS (1):
1.
Are agri-environmental schemes doing their job? Evidence from Biebrza National Park, Poland
Joanna Sucholas, Zsolt Molnár, Łukasz Łuczaj, Rainer Luick, Peter Poschlod
Land Use Policy
 
eISSN:2300-7125
ISSN:1506-7629
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top