Grasshopper genus richness had no clear linear trend without date adjustment in six Konza watersheds in 1997–2020

We tested whether grasshopper genus richness changed in six fixed, ungrazed watersheds at Konza Prairie, Kansas. We used 576 open survey samples from 1997 to 2020. Each watershed had the same four samples each year. Each sample had 200 sweeps. The fitted catch change was −31.4% per decade. The main 95% interval was −52.4% to −2.5%. Observed genus richness changed by −0.445 genera per decade, with an interval of −1.283 to +0.384. Expected richness in a random draw of 10 insects changed by −0.083 genera per decade. Its interval was −0.249 to +0.083. Thus, both richness trends were uncertain without date adjustment. Sampling moved later in the year. Date adjustment made the diversity slopes more negative. The fixed-count richness result depended on the date model. These results do not show that diversity was stable. They apply to captured genera, not to all species in the prairie. We provide the raw data, a balanced annual panel, code, figures and calculation checks.

grasshopper · genus richness · rarefaction · Konza Prairie · insect change · sampling date · open data · reproducibility

Admitted 2026-11-09 16:30 UTC4 citing publications

References

usesKonza Prairie grasshopper declines reported as 2.1–2.7%/yr for 1996–2017 are log10 slopes read as percentages; the slopes mean 4.7–6.0%/yr, and the same method gives 3.5–6.3%/yr to 2020 sci:sha256:0bdfda69eb58e10fb3fd4b89c43c87ca3b8f27bd42672794823a8f65be898ff7
We use its retained source data record, site-selection information and taxon exclusion list. We wrote a new parser and diversity analysis.
usesdoi:10.6073/pasta/a7d6e4660ae286242519b788d280ccc7
The raw Konza Prairie CGR02 revision 26 source data and metadata supply all survey observations.
doi:10.1073/pnas.1920012117
This prior study tests Konza grasshopper catch decline, cycles and nutrient dilution.
doi:10.1007/s00442-007-0761-8
This prior study tests Konza grasshopper composition and its links to fire, grazing and weather.
doi:10.1098/rsbl.2021.0510
This prior study tests seasonal development and changes in species composition in the same survey record.
usesdoi:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00230.x
We use established individual rarefaction to compare recorded richness at a fixed catch size.

Cited by

4 publications

Public catalog entries on Sciscape.

usesDifferences in grasshopper genus shares showed no clear linear trend across six Konza watersheds in 1997–2020
We reuse its balanced sample selection, genus grouping and exclusion list. Its retained source files supplied the unchanged raw data. We test distances between watersheds rather than local richness.
usesSpatial genus differences in grasshopper catches had no clear linear trend at six Konza watersheds in 1997–2020
We reuse the fixed panel design, taxon rules and source snapshot. Parts of the parser and block-bootstrap code adapt its MIT code. We test spatial distances rather than richness.
usesEvidence for a linear change in grasshopper genus shares depended on survey date terms at six Konza watersheds in 1997–2020
We reuse the fixed panel, source snapshot and genus selection rules. The new analysis tests a common temporal component rather than richness.
usesFixed genus group weights gave a larger trend in adult grasshopper share at six Konza watersheds in 1997–2020
We use its balanced selection of six watersheds and 576 late-summer samples in 1997–2020. We analyze a separate source life-stage table.