Meetnetten.be - Sightings for Stenobothrus stigmaticus in Flanders, Belgium

Study Extent

The question we are trying to answer with the grasshopper monitoring network is whether the species in Flanders over a 24-year period is decreasing by at least 25% or increasing by 33% (Westra et al.2014). Since the 2 species (Stenobothrus stigmaticus and Ephippiger ephippiger) of monitored grasshoppers occur at less than 30 sites, all sites are monitored completely. Schavertje - Stenobothrus stigmaticus - The Lesser mottled Grasshopper is a species of grasshopper which can only be found in three places in West Flanders. This critically endangered species is in Flanders found on barren grasslands on dunes and sands characterised by domination of mosses and lichens.

Sampling

Sampling was done using the protocol described in De Knijf et al. (2016). We monitor Stenobothrus stigmaticus using a capture all method. Annually, four plots of 10 m x 10 m are sampled in the period July to mid-September. Within these plots each grasshopper is captured, named and time of capture was noted.. This was performed until no more grasshoppers were caught within the plot of 10 m x 10 m for about ten minutes. At the end of the count, all grasshoppers are released at the site.

Quality Control

All data is validated

Method steps

1. Researchers from INBO and Natuurpunt Studie define and document the appropriate sampling protocol for the target species.
2. Fieldwork is planned and coordinated by Natuurpunt Studie, using https://meetnetten.be.
3. Data are collected in the field by specialized volunteers, using the predefined sampling protocol.
4. Volunteers enter the collected data in https://meetnetten.be.
5. A custom SQL view is created in the meetnetten.be database to map the original data to Darwin Core as an event core, occurrence extension and measurement or fact extension.
6. The Darwin Core views are connected to the INBO IPT and documented with metadata.
7. The dataset is published and registered with GBIF.

The target species for Meetnetten.be are listed at https://meetnetten.be/#group-2. This dataset covers the grasshopper capture and count protocol , for which there is one target species.

1. Animalia
   common name: Animals rank: kingdom
2. Arthropoda
   rank: phylum
3. Insecta
   rank: class
4. Orthoptera
   rank: order

Flanders, Belgium