Die Gastropodenfauna auf Xerothermstandorten im Grüntal bei Krumpa (Landkreis Merseburg-Querfurt)

Abstract

Hartenauer, K.: The molluscan fauna of xerothermous sites of the upper “Grüntal” near Krumpa with remarks on habitat management. – Hercynia N.F. 38 (2005): 287 – 296.I investigated the terrestrial molluscan fauna of the Grüntal, a V-shaped valley characterized by xerothermous biotops in the landscape “Querfurter Platte” (Saxony-Anhalt/Germany). This was done with particular emphasis on different successional stages of xerothermous grasslands in southern and northern hillside situations. The molluscan fauna of the Grüntal can be characterized as species rich and typical for the loess areas in Central Germany with a more continental climate. Records of living specimen of Candidula unifasciata and Chondrula tridens are of special importance. On southern slopes, semi-dry meadows support the highest number of mollusc species, mainly due to the preference of a number of stenoecious snail species to warm and heterogeneous structured sites (e.g. lime debris and loess avulsions). On northern slopes, however, molluscan fauna of shrub stands and early successional stages of semi-dry meadows were richest both in terms of species and individuals due to higher abundances of species, which are generally common or typical for woodlands. On the longer run, grazing by sheep is considered as appropriate for the conservation of the molluscan fauna at its present state.