Zur Arthropodenfauna von Tagebaufolgelandschaften Sachsen-Anhalts 2. Zikaden (Auchenorrhyncha, Hemiptera, Insecta) von Offenlandhabitaten

Abstract

FUNKE, T.; WITSACK, W.: Arthropods of Saxonia-Anhalt (Germany) open-cast postmining landscapes. 2. Cicadina (Auchenorrhyncha, Hemiptera) – Hercynia N. F. 36 (2001): 91-122.The open-cast postmining landscapes took up big areas in Saxony-Anhalt. Because of the enormous changes most of the area is only poorly covered by vegetation. Successional processes on acidic sandy soil and rehabilitation of a number of habitat types resulted in a landscape hardly comparable to that outside the mined area. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Auchenorrhyncha fauna of different habitat types concerning diversity and differences in species composition. Sampling was conducted during 1996 and 1997. At many sampling sites both, pitfall traps and sweepnet, methods were combined to obtain Auchenorrhyncha coenosis as complete as possible. The results show that open-cast postmining landscapes are much more diverse as presumed. A total of 164 species were recorded, some of them new to Saxony-Anhalt. A third could be considered as endangered. The oligotrophic conditions of the area are very characteristic making the different habitats important to Auchenorrhyncha communities. Especially early successional stages were optimal for a number of xerothermic species. There was also a spectrum of specialist species closely adapted to their host plants typically associated with mined areas such as Calamagrostis epigejos, Corynephorus canescens and Phragmites australis. These open-cast postmining landscapes must are considered as important refuge habitats for specialist, endangered Auchenorrhyncha species within our highly cultivated landscape.