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Dryad

Observations of Jordanita species in Central Europe from the BioOffice database, Tyolean state museum

Data files

Aug 16, 2022 version files 94.15 KB

Abstract

The decline of biodiversity in general and of insect diversity in particular has been recognized as a major environmental problem in recent years. The study of Markl et al., in which this dataset was used, reports the distribution and the decline of populations of forester moths of the genus Jordanita in Central Europe since 1950 as a type example of the loss of grassland biodiversity, and discusses the reasons for this decline. Based on extensive work in museums and private collections, a literature review and own observations, and including data as far back as 1834, this genus helps to understand the deeper reasons of insect population and biodiversity decline, as the well investigated six Central European species cover a broad range of extensive grassland habitats (fens to low-production grassland and xerothermic steppes) from low altitudes to high alpine meadows. Therefore, they monitor processes relevant also to other, less investigated grassland species.