scholarly journals Level of urbanization and habitat type, and not patch size, influence predacious arthropod diversity patterns of urban grasslands in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Greyvenstein ◽  
Monique Botha ◽  
Johnnie Van den Berg ◽  
Stefan Siebert
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
African Perspective

Abstract. Greyvenstein B, Botha M, van den Berg J, Siebert SJ. 2021. Level of urbanization and habitat type, and not patch size, influence predacious arthropod diversity patterns of urban grasslands in South Africa. Biodiversitas 22: 4078-4094. Predacious arthropods provide a valuable ecosystem service within urban environments by suppressing pest numbers. However, urban ecological studies largely ignore this functional group and its diversity and species composition patterns. Some studies have been published regarding these patterns, however they were mostly done in Australia, Europe and America, thus an African perspective is lacking. Our aim was to address the gap in African literature by quantify the differences in predacious arthropod species richness and diversity within urban green space in varying urbanization intensities, habitat types of grassland and patch sizes in South Africa. Various indices were considered to examine the effect of urbanization on the diversity patterns of Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), Mantodea, Araneae and Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Study sites included three levels of urbanization represented by population density, two types of urban grasslands (i.e., ruderal and fragmented grassland) and a peri-urban rangeland grassland as control, and a wide range of patch sizes. Our results indicated that an increase in urbanization intensities was associated with increased abundance of predacious arthropod taxa. Also, that urban and peri-urban grasslands had similar predacious arthropod species richness and diversity, but differed in species composition. No relationship was found between patch size and arthropod diversity or composition. Thus, predacious arthropod abundances are influenced by the level of urbanization and their species composition is influenced by the type of urban grassland (ruderal or fragmented), which are important considerations for future urban planning/management and conservation strategies. This study gives a South African perspective and indicates that despite the lack of assigned function of urban green spaces, they sustain diverse and distinct predacious arthropod communities, which in turn fulfill various roles in a functioning ecosystem.

scholarly journals Diversity patterns of plants and arthropods in soybean agro-ecosystems in the Grassland Biome of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Duvel Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Stefan John Siebert ◽  
Tlou Masehela ◽  
Suria Ellis ◽  
Johnnie Van den Berg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Field Boundary ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
Grassland Biome

Abstract. Janse van Rensburg PD, Siebert SJ, Masehela T, Ellis S, Van den Berg J. 2020. Diversity patterns of plants and arthropods in soybean agroecosystems in the grassland biome of South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 5559-5570. Soybean is widely cultivated in the grassland biome of South Africa (ca.  800 000 ha per annum). Yet the possible effects that large-scale cultivation of soybean has on biodiversity in adjacent habitat are not fully understood. This study aimed to describe the plant and arthropod species assemblages and diversity patterns within these soybean agroecosystems. Surveys were conducted inside soybean fields, field boundaries (transition zones between soybean fields and adjacent habitat), and adjacent pasture. An adapted D-vac was used to sample arthropods in the different zones, while plant surveys were conducted by means of fixed width (2 m) line transect. A total of 320 plant species (4910 specimens) and 373 arthropod morpho-species (9216 specimens) were recorded. Soybean fields had significantly lower plant and arthropod diversity than the adjacent habitats. Plant species diversity was similar in the field boundary and adjacent pasture. Significantly higher species richness and abundance of arthropods were found in the boundary than the pasture. These results show that the cultivation of soybean and the associated agricultural practices had no adverse effects on biodiversity patterns in the adjacent habitats. However, the boundary dominated by alien plant species did contain a significantly different plant species composition from the pasture. This difference was also mirrored by unique assemblages of arthropods. This suggests that disturbance resulting from soybean cultivation contributed to species losses and gains that maintained diversity in the field boundary but changed its plant and arthropod species composition. No effect was found in the pasture beyond the boundary (> 50 m). High diversity, but unique species assemblages of plants and arthropods in the boundary and pasture suggest that these habitats may have important conservation value in soybean agroecosystems by supporting ecosystem functions and services.

Plant and arthropod diversity patterns of maize agro-ecosystems in two grassy biomes of South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1797-1824 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Botha ◽  
S. J. Siebert ◽  
J. van den Berg ◽  
B. G. Maliba ◽  
S. M. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Diversity Patterns

scholarly journals Habitat associations of small mammals in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Nonsimiso Simelane ◽  
Themb’alilahlwa A.M. Mahlaba ◽  
Julie Teresa Shapiro ◽  
Duncan MacFadyen ◽  
Ara Monadjem
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Golden Mole ◽  
Rocky Outcrops ◽  
Indigenous Forest

Abstract Mountains provide important habitats for many species and often have high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Habitat associations of terrestrial small mammals were investigated at Wakefield Farm at the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa from July 2015 to January 2016. Sherman live traps were used to capture small mammals on 35 grids in six different habitats. A total of 472 individuals, from 14 species, were recorded, comprising: 10 rodents, three shrews and one golden mole. Species diversity differed across habitats and seasons. The riparian habitat had the highest species richness, diversity and abundance of small mammals. Species composition also differed across habitats with the indigenous forest and rocky outcrops supporting the most distinct assemblages.

Historical arthropod diversity patterns direct rehabilitation targets for Robben Island, South Africa, a continental island in a biodiversity hotspot

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa J. G. Cooper ◽  
Jessica du Toit ◽  
Elani Steenkamp ◽  
James S. Pryke ◽  
Francois Roets
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
Robben Island

scholarly journals Changes of bat species composition over altitudinal gradients on northern and southern aspects of the Soutpansberg mountain range, South Africa

Mammalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina M. Weier ◽  
Valerie M.G. Linden ◽  
Ian Gaigher ◽  
Patrick J.C. White ◽  
Peter J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Primary Determinant ◽  
Linear Decline

AbstractIn order to gain insight into the pattern of bat species composition over altitude and the environmental variables driving the observed pattern, we compared data from moist southern and drier northern aspects of the Soutpansberg range in northern South Africa. Acoustical monitoring and additional capturing of bats was used for analysis of species distribution patterns and comparisons of community composition. Bat activity generally followed a linear decline with increasing altitude, possibly related to reproductive females preferring lower altitudes. Species richness followed a hump-shaped distribution on the northern aspect and across the transect, whereas a pattern of a linear decline was observed on the southern aspect. Our study strongly supports a previously published climate model for insectivorous bats which assumes that water availability linked with temperature determines the shape of altitudinal distribution in bat species. Step-wise selection from multiple regression models retained habitat type and/or measures of habitat structure in all final models, supporting several other studies in that vegetation correlated to altitude is a primary determinant of bat species distribution over altitude. This study also supports that the Soutpansberg is a biodiversity hotspot for bats and emphasises that conservation efforts should by no means ignore the lower altitudes.

scholarly journals Earthworm species occurrence in agroecosystems in the Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-425
Author(s):  
Thembeka C. Nxele ◽  
Tarombera Mwabvu ◽  
Inam Yekwayo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Lumbricus Rubellus ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Earthworm Species ◽  
Aporrectodea Trapezoides ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Little is known about the species composition of earthworms in agroecosystems in South Africa even though earthworms provide soil ecosystem services and are useful biological indicators of changes in the habitats. Given the land use and management impact biodiversity, the aim of this study was to document earthworm species that occur under cultivated land in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. A survey of nine farms that practise conservation agriculture was carried out between 2018 and 2020. Twelve earthworm species belonging to four introduced families: Acanthodrilidae (Dichogaster bolaui), Rhinodrilidae (Pontoscolex corenthrurus), Lumbricidae (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Aporrectodea trapezoides, Lumbricus rubellus, Octolasion cyaneum, Octolasion lacteum), Megascolecidae (Amynthas aeruginosus, Amynthas corticis, Amynthas gracilis, Amynthas rodericensis) and juveniles from an indigenous family Tritogeniidae were recorded from cultivated fields. The type of crop (habitat) affected both species richness and abundance of earthworms significantly. However, post hoc results showed differences in species richness between the soya and the maize only, with greater species richness in the maize. Our results demonstrate that habitat type has a major influence on communities of earthworms in agroecosystems.

scholarly journals Diversity Patterns of Different Life Forms of Plants along an Elevational Gradient in Crete, Greece

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lazarina ◽  
Athanasios Charalampopoulos ◽  
Maria Psaralexi ◽  
Nikos Krigas ◽  
Danai-Eleni Michailidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Species Pool ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Α Diversity

Elevational gradients provide a unique opportunity to explore species responses to changing environmental conditions. Here, we focus on an elevational gradient in Crete, a climate-vulnerable Mediterranean plant biodiversity hotspot and explore the diversity patterns and underlying mechanisms of different plant life forms. We found that the significant differences in life forms’ elevational and environmental ranges are reflected in α- diversity (species richness at local scale), γ-diversity (species richness at regional scale) and β-diversity (variation in species composition). The α- and γ-diversity decreased with elevation, while β-diversity followed a hump-shaped relationship, with the peak varying between life forms. However, β-deviation (deviation from null expectations) varied significantly with elevation but was life formindependent. This suggests that species composition is shaped by the size of the available species pool which depends on life form, but also by other deterministic or stochastic processes that act in a similar way for different life forms. The strength of these processes varies with elevation, with hotter–drier conditions and increased human activities filtering species composition at lowlands and large-scale processes determining the species pool size overriding local ecological processes at higher elevations.

scholarly journals The dynamics of Arthropod diversity and abundance in rice field ecosystem in Central Lombok, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Stella Petrunella Thei ◽  
Abdul Latief Abadi ◽  
Gatot Mudjiono ◽  
Didik Suprayogo
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Rice Field ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
Field Ecosystem

Abstract. Thei RSP, Abadi AL, Mudjiono G, Suprayogo D. 2020. The dynamics of Arthropod diversity and abundance in rice field ecosystem in Central Lombok, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5850-5857. Arthropods have roles as pests, decomposers, pollinators, and natural enemies of pests. Natural enemies play a vital role in pest population control by predation or parasitism. A study of the arthropod community in the rice field ecosystem was conducted in Central Lombok, Indonesia from December 2009 to March 2010 in order to elucidate the composition, structure, and dynamic diversity of arthropods present. Arthropod sampling was done by pitfall traps, yellow pan traps, and insect net. Arthropod dynamic diversity, especially of natural enemies, was determined by diversity index, dominance index, evenness analysis, and pictorial analysis. Based on taxonomical perspective, as many as 98 arthropod species were found, including 85 insect species from 59 families and 9 orders; and 13 spider species in 6 families. Based on the ecological functions, predator arthropods were the most common (33 species, dominated by spiders), but the phytophage arthropods had the most species richness (49.34%). A high Shannon index (3.18) and Pilou index (0.7) indicated dominant arthropods in the ecosystem. Arthropod species richness and diversity increased alongside rice development and decreased after harvest.

scholarly journals Are ant assemblages of Brazilian veredas characterised by location or habitat type?

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
CB Costa-Milanez ◽  
G Lourenço-Silva ◽  
PTA Castro ◽  
JD Majer ◽  
SP Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Ant Assemblages ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantations ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

Wetland areas in the Brazilian Cerrado, known as “veredas”, represent ecosystems formed on sandy soils with high concentrations of peat, and are responsible for the recharge of aquiferous reservoirs. They are currently under threat by various human activities, most notably the clearing of vegetation for Eucalyptus plantations. Despite their ecological importance and high conservation value, little is known about the actual effects of human disturbance on the animal community. To assess how habitat within different veredas, and plantations surrounding them affect ant assemblages, we selected four independent vereda locations, two being impacted by Eucalyptus monoculture (one younger and one mature plantation) and two controls, where the wetland was surrounded by cerrado vegetation. Ant sampling was conducted in May 2010 (dry season) using three complementary methods, namely baits, pitfall traps, and hand collection, in the wetland and in the surrounding habitats. A total of 7,575 ants were sampled, belonging to seven subfamilies, 32 genera and 124 species. Ant species richness and abundance did not differ between vereda locations, but did between the habitats. When impacted by the monoculture, ant species richness and abundance decreased in wetlands, but were less affected in the cerrado habitat. Ant species composition differed between the three habitats and between vereda locations. Eucalyptus plantations had an ant species composition defined by high dominance of Pheidole sp. and Solenopsis invicta, while natural habitats were defined by Camponotus and Crematogaster species. Atta sexdens was strictly confined to native habitats of non-impacted “veredas”. Eucalyptus monocultures require high quantities of water in the early stages, which may have caused a decrease in groundwater level in the wetland, allowing hypogeic ants such as Labidus praedator to colonise this habitat.

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