Terrestrial gastropods and experimental climate change: A field study in a calcareous grassland

Marcelo Sternberg*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

The impact of field manipulations of local climate on terrestrial gastropod populations and how they may affect the dynamics of the plant community were studied in a calcareous grassland. The experimental site was located in a grassland at the Wytham estate, Oxfordshire, UK. Manipulations representing two climate change scenarios in a factorial combination were used, these were warmer winters with increased summer rainfall, and warmer winters with summer drought. The climate manipulations had a significant effect on the relative abundance of molluscs. However, no important changes in species composition were found. Distribution and densities of snails and slugs were affected because of changes in the physical environment and the vegetation in the grassland. The responses of different species to the climate manipulations were strongly influenced by their phenological traits and food preferences. Potential responses of mollusc populations to a changing climate are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)73-81
Number of pages9
JournalEcological Research
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Eye Research Centre
British Council
Clore Leadership Programme, Clore Duffield Foundation

    Keywords

    • Ectotherm
    • Herbivory
    • Invertebrates
    • Slugs
    • Snails

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Terrestrial gastropods and experimental climate change: A field study in a calcareous grassland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this