Invertebrate species assemblage on restored calcareous grassland: a case study in Dorset.

Abstract

A limestone quarry site in Dorset was restored by seed sowing. After 10 years the plant and invertebrate species assemblages were compared with those at a target site (limestone grassland SSSI) and species rich grassland at an old quarry. The plant species assemblage had more in common with the old quarry than the SSSI whereas the invertebrate assemblage more closely resembled that at the SSSI. When functional groups were examined separately predatory beetle and grasshopper assemblages were sufficiently similar to those at the target site to be considered 'restored'. The sequence of similarity between the functional groups at the restored site and the target SSSI was: predatory beetles > grasshoppers > phytophagous beetles > parasitoid wasps > spiders > ants > snails. Successful colonisation of invertebrate species depended on a combination of their dispersal ability and tendency to specialisation.