Diptera Stelviana. A dipterological perspective on a changing alpine landscape. Results from a survey of the biodiversity of Diptera (Insecta) in the Stilfserjoch National Park (Italy).
Key words
Entomology, Diptera, taxonomy, biodiversity, altitudinal zones, Holarctic Region, Italy, Alps, South Tyrol, Stilfserjoch National Park
Team
Dr Joachim Ziegler (leader)
in cooperation with the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio (Bormio, Italy) and approx. 50 international scientists
Duration
Since 2001
Abstract
High mountains contain individual biocoenoses which are differentiated in a particular mosaic-like manner. The strong relief contributes to this, as it gives rise to changes in natural environmental factors over small distances. In the Alps we encounter an intermingling of near-natural biotopes and ancient cultivated landscapes, although the latter are now rapidly changing through human influence. For this reason investigations into historical and recent biodiversity are particularly interesting and revealing. The Diptera (two-winged insects = flies and midges) are highly suitable as objects of zoological study because they colonise every alpine biotope, are straightforward to survey, and in Central Europe are the most speciose order in the animal kingdom.
The Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio (Nationalpark Stilfserjoch) is one of the largest and most important conservation areas in the entire alpine region, and is a typical Central Alpine high-mountain landscape. The title of this project "Diptera Stelviana" is taken from this name. The natural history of the region has been studied over many decades, but old records in the literature can often no longer be interpreted because of nomenclatural problems and/or misidentifications. On the other hand, several collections made about a century ago are still in existence but have not been revised or comprehensively evaluated since then. This is the case with, for example, the family Tachinidae and with other families of flies. In order to link these with the recent fauna, intensive fieldwork on the Diptera was carried out in the Stilfserjoch National Park from 2001 to 2005.
In the course of this, a reproducible experimental arrangement of Malaise traps was set up during the 2005 season, along a transect at five different altitudinal stages from 940 m to 2315 m above sea level. The collected insect material forms the basis for investigations into the taxonomy and the current diversity of the Diptera in this region and enables a comparison to be made with the historical data. When knowledge of the species is combined with associated data on the biogeography and the ecological links of the species, and against the background of contemporary changes in the environment, it should be possible at the conclusion of the investigation to make some statements about particularly threatened habitats in the National Park and in the Alps in general.
Several publications within the framework of the project have already appeared (see the list under "Further information"). The first extensive volume of results has been published as “Diptera Stelviana I” and the second volume is currently being prepared.
Diptera Stelviana. Vol. 1
edited by
Joachim Ziegler
ISSN 1433-4968
ISBN 978-3-932795-30-5
Further information
Published papers and books (arranged chronologically):
ZIEGLER, J. (2008c) (ed.): Diptera Stelviana. A dipterological perspective on a changing alpine landscape. Results from a survey of the biodiversity of Diptera (Insecta) in the Stilfserjoch National Park (Italy). Volume 1 - Studia dipterologica. Suppl. 16: 395 pp. and 4 maps; Halle (Saale), Ampyx-Verlag.
ZIEGLER, J. (2008b): Rhinophoridae. In: ZIEGLER, J. (2008) (ed.): Diptera Stelviana. A dipterological perspective on a changing alpine landscape. Results from a survey of the biodiversity of Diptera (Insecta) in the Stilfserjoch National Park (Italy). Volume 1 - Studia dipterologica. Suppl. 16: 221-228; Halle (Saale), Ampyx-Verlag.
ZIEGLER, J. (2008a): General Part. In: ZIEGLER, J. (2008) (ed.): Diptera Stelviana. A dipterological perspective on a changing alpine landscape. Results from a survey of the biodiversity of Diptera (Insecta) in the Stilfserjoch National Park (Italy). Volume 1 - Studia dipterologica. Suppl. 16: 1-64, 360-395; Halle (Saale), Ampyx-Verlag.
ZIEGLER, J. & LANGE, C. (2007): Raupenfliegen (Diptera: Tachinidae) aus dem Nationalpark Stilfserjoch (Norditalien): Teil 2. - Forest observer 2/3 (2006): 169-204; Bolzano.
ZIEGLER, J. (2007): The “Diptera stelviana” project – A dipterological perspective on a changing alpine landscape. – Studia dipterologica 13(2): 195-202; Halle/Saale.
TSCHORSNIG, H.-P. (2001): Raupenfliegen (Diptera: Tachinidae) aus Südtirol (Italien) im Gebiet des Stilfser-Joch-Nationalparkes: (1) – Gredleriana 1: 171-182; Bozen.
ZIEGLER, J. & LANGE, C. (2001): Asselfliegen, Fleischfliegen und Raupenfliegen (Diptera: Rhinophoridae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae) aus Südtirol (Italien). - Gredleriana 1: 133-170; Bozen.
Selected literature
BÄTZING, W. (1991): Die Alpen. Entstehung und Gefährdung einer europäischen Kulturlandschaft. 286 pp. – Beck, München.
BEZZI, M. (1918): Studi sulla Ditterofauna niveale delle Alpi italiane. – Memorie della Società italiana di scienze naturali e del Museo civico di storia naturale di Milano, Vol. 9 (1): 1–164, Pavia.
CHAPIN III, F. S. & KÖRNER, C. (eds.) (1995): Arctic and Alpine biodiversity: Patterns, causes, and ecosystem consequences. Ecological studies. – Springer; Berlin, Heidelberg.
DE JONG, H. (ed.) (2008): Diptera, „Nematocera“. Fauna Europaea version 1.3, http:/www.faunaeur.org.
FRANZ, H. (1979): Ökologie der Hochgebirge. 495 pp. – Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
HELLRIGL, K. (1996): Die Tierwelt Südtirols. Kommentiertes systematisch-faunistisches Verzeichnis der auf dem Gebiet der Provinz Bozen - Südtirol (Italien) bekannten Tierarten. – Veröffentlichungen des Naturmuseums Südtirol 1: 1-831; Bozen.
KROMP-KOLB, H. (2003): Auswirkungen von Klimaänderungen auf die Tierwelt - derzeitiger Wissensstand, fokussiert auf den Alpenraum und Österreich. Endbericht, 141 pp. – Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft, Wien.
LINDNER, E. (1973): Alpenfliegen. 204 pp. – Goecke & Evers, Krefeld.
MANI, M. (1968): Ecology and biogeography of high altitude insects. 527 pp. – Junk, The Hague.
MINELLI, A.; RUFFO, S. & LA POSTA, S. (eds.) (1995): Checklist delle specie della fauna Italiana. 63–78 Diptera. – Calderi, Bologna.
NAGY, L.; GRABHERR, G.; KÖRNER, C. & THOMPSON, D. B. A. (eds.) (2003): Alpine biodiversity in Europe. Ecological studies 167. – Springer; Berlin, Heidelberg.
PAPE, T. (ed.) (2008): Diptera, Brachycera. Fauna Europaea version 1.3, http:/www.faunaeur.org.
PUHE, J. & ULRICH, B. (2001): Global Climate Change and Human Impacts on Forest Ecosystems. Ecological studies 143. – Springer; Berlin, Heidelberg.
ZIEGLER, J. (2003): Ordnung Diptera, Zweiflügler (Fliegen und Mücken). In: DATHE, H. H. (Hrsg.): Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie. Begründet von Alfred Kaestner. 2. Auflage. Band I: Wirbellose Tiere, 5. Teil: Insecta, 756-860; Spektrum Akademischer Verlag; Heidelberg, Berlin.