The implications of grassland and heathland management for the conservation of spider communities: a review

Both intensity and type of habitat management in grasslands and heathlands affect spider communities. With high intensity management, spider communiti es often lack diversity and are dominated by a few r-selected species affil iated with bare ground. Low intensity management produces more complex comm unities introducing more niches for aerial web spinners and climbing spider s. The preferred management will be site-dependent and may not be appropria te for all spiders in all situations, particularly for some rare or threate ned species. Providing natural cover is recommended when using extreme form s of management or intensive grazing (particularly by sheep). In extreme ca ses, or where trampling is heavy, the litter layer should be conserved. We advocate research and survey before and after major management implementati on. Habitat management for spiders should not be considered alone, but inte grated into a holistic plan. Management for spiders may conflict with rare plant conservation and small reserves should examine the viability of provi ding two contrasting regimes.