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Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, suborders Ensifera and Caelifera) are often used as bioindicators to assess the effects of human‐induced land‐use changes. However, such assessment is largely depending on the methods that provide an accurate estimation. In the present study, we compared grasshopper species richness and assemblages on mountainous meadows in the Austrian Alps by applying a commonly used visual‐acoustic method and a novel soundscape method. For the visual‐acoustic method, we walked through the meadows for 1 h at a slow pace and recorded any visually and acoustically noticeable species. For the soundscape method, sound recorders combined with bat detectors were installed at fixed positions. Comparing both methods, there was no significant difference in species richness; however, we found significantly higher numbers of Caelifera species with the visual‐acoustic method and marginally higher numbers of Ensifera species with the soundscape method. Grasshopper assemblages differed marginally significantly between the two methods. With the soundscape method significantly more species were found between 12:00 and 17:00 hours compared to the samples taken between 10:00 and 12:00 hours. The soundscape method represents a reliable and by the observer unbiased technique to investigate grasshoppers within their environment. The visual‐acoustic method is especially preferable for the detection of non‐stridulating species which cannot be assessed with the soundscape method. Thus, researchers might consider using a sampling plan that mixes different sampling methods in order to offset potential limitations in sampling grasshopper species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Several recent studies have considered the relative effects of local vs. landscape factors on diversity of several animal taxa in grasslands. However, very few have considered vascular plant or Orthoptera species, both of which are important biotic components of grassland ecosystems. The general aim of this study was to determine the effect of grassland management and landscape composition, and their potential interactions, on diversity patterns of vascular plants and Orthoptera in Alpine hay meadows. 2. We considered three groups of management regimes defined by different amounts of fertilizer nitrogen applied and cutting frequency: (i) extensive, (ii) low intensive and (iii) intensive meadows situated in different landscape contexts. To evaluate the relative importance of meadow management and landscape composition on diversity patterns, we applied analysis of covariance and variation partitioning analyses. 3. Diversity patterns of both taxonomic groups were affected primarily by grassland management. The extensive management regime was most suitable for conserving high species richness of both taxonomic groups. The intensive meadows were characterized by plant communities dominated by a few ruderal and competitor species, and by Orthoptera communities composed of only a few abundant Caelifera species (e.g. Chorthippus parallelus), while Ensifera species had very low individual densities. 4. Regarding the landscape determinants, plant diversity patterns were not significantly related to any landscape composition variables. In contrast, a high proportion of urban elements and grassland in the surrounding landscape (radius 500 m) affected Orthoptera species richness negatively. 5. Synthesis and applications. The implementation of well-targeted agri-environment schemes for compensation payments against intensification and abandonment of extensive hay meadows seems to be a promising tool to protect both taxonomic groups. In this context, we suggest that the existing Swiss ecological compensation area (ECA) hay meadow agri-environment scheme, which requires at least one cut every year and no fertilizer application, might also be suitable for the Italian Alps. Moreover, the significant influence of landscape composition on Orthoptera diversity suggests that the effectiveness of measures applied at a field scale may be improved by integration of protected area schemes, promoting extensive management at a farm scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]