The effects of altitude and rainfall on the composition of the termites (Isoptera) of the Leuser Ecosystem (Sumatra, Indonesia)

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
FREDRICK GATHORNE-HARDY ◽  
SYAUKANI ◽  
PAUL EGGLETON
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Species Assemblage ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Feeding Group ◽  
Rainfall Patterns ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Western Side

In 1998 a survey was made of the termites of the Leuser Ecosystem (in Sumatra, Indonesia), which includes a substantial area (c. 1 million ha) of unbroken primary rain forest. Nine sites and an altitudinal gradient were sampled. Altitude had a significant effect on species richness, which declines with even a 100-m increase in altitude. Species composition too was significantly affected by altitude. Functionally, only termites in one feeding group (II, which forage outside of their nests) were significantly affected by altitude. A mid-altitude termite species assemblage was evident. Longitude also significantly affected species composition; Macrotermitinae were numerous on the western side of the Ecosystem and Termitinae and Nasutitermitinae more numerous to the east of it. This was probably due to differences in rainfall patterns across the Ecosystem.

Distribution of moss-inhabiting diatoms along an altitudinal gradient at sub-Antarctic Îles Kerguelen

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niek J.M. Gremmen ◽  
Bart van de Vijver ◽  
Yves Frenot ◽  
Marc Lebouvier
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Diatom Species ◽  
Expected Species Richness

Altitudinal gradients provide excellent opportunities to study relationships between species distribution and climatic variables. We studied the species composition of 39 samples of moss-inhabiting diatoms, collected at 50 m intervals from 100–650 m above sea level. The samples contained a total of 130 diatom species, of which 51 occurred in 10 or more samples. Altitude appeared to be the most important variable explaining variation in species composition. Of the 51 common species, 33 showed a significant relationship with altitude. Although the majority of the latter declined with increasing altitude, for nine species the probability of occurrence first increased with increasing elevation, but decreased again at higher altitudes, and four species increased systematically with elevation. As a result, expected species richness per sample decreased from an estimated 43 at 100 m to 25 species per sample at 650 m. Diatom distribution patterns proved to be suitable predictors of the altitudinal position of sample sites. Cross-validation yielded a strong relationship between predicted and observed altitudes.

Bryophyte diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Darién National Park, Panama

1992 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rob Gradstein ◽  
Noris Salazar Allen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
National Park ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Seasonal Climate

A bryophyte inventory along an altitudinal gradient on Cerro Pirre (1200 m), Darién National Park, Panama, demonstrates that the different rain forest types along the gradient (inundatedlowland, hillside-lowland, submontane, montane elfin forest) have very different species assemblages. The montane forest has the largest number of exclusive species and the largest bryophyte biomass. Species richness is greatest in the submontane forest. The bryophyte flora of Cerro Pirre is not exceedingly rich in species owing to the rather low elevation of the mountain and the seasonal climate in the adjacent coastal plain. Nevertheless, the distinct altitudinal diversification and the occurrence of a considerable number of rare hepatic taxa, demonstrate the importance of Darién National Park as an area of plant conservation. Forty hepatic species are reported as new to Panama.

Comparing composition and diversity of parasitoid wasps and plants in an Amazonian rain-forest mosaic

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilari E. Sääksjärvi ◽  
Kalle Ruokolainen ◽  
Hanna Tuomisto ◽  
Samuli Haataja ◽  
Paul V. A. Fine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Parasitoid Wasps ◽  
Lowland Rain Forest ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Weak Support ◽  
Forest Mosaic

Local species richness and between-site similarity in species composition of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae and Rhyssinae) were correlated with those of four plant groups (pteridophytes, Melastomataceae, Burseraceae and Arecaceae) in a western Amazonian lowland rain forest mosaic. The mosaic structure of the forest was related to variation in soils within the non-inundated terrain. Significant matrix correlation between patterns in parasitoid wasp species composition and plant species composition was found. Most of the overall correlation was due to idiobiont parasitoids of weakly concealed hosts, which attack host larvae and pupae in exposed situations, with two of the four ecologically defined parasitoid groups showing no correlation at all. A positive correlation between the number of plant species and the number of Pimplinae and Rhyssinae species at a site was found when the latter was corrected for collecting effort. Consequently, the degree of floristic difference between sites may be indicative of the difference in species composition of ichneumonids, and the species richness of plants may serve as a predictor of the species richness of parasitoid wasps. Although these results were obtained in a mosaic including structurally and floristically clearly different types of rain forest, the correlation coefficients were relatively low, and the present results lend only weak support to the idea of using plant distributions as indicators of animal distributions.

scholarly journals Termites’ diversity in a protected park of the northern Sudanian savanna of Togo (West Africa)

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Toblie Quashie Effowe ◽  
Boris Dodji Kasseney ◽  
Abdoulaye Baïla Ndiaye ◽  
Bassan Banibea Sanbena ◽  
Komina Amevoin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
New Species ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Feeding Group ◽  
Group I ◽  
First Time

Termites occur in many ecosystems throughout tropical and subtropical areas. Their distribution is driven by several factors, including landscape and some soil characteristics. This study aims to determine soil organic matter’s role on termites’ diversity in a shrubby savanna park. Termites were sampled across transects in 3 sites of Galangashi park (northern part of Togo). The soil in which termites were harvested was analyzed to check organic matter’s influence on termites’ species richness. A total of 28 termite species belonging to 14 genera and 6 subfamilies were identified. Feeding group II (all fungus-growing termites, grass feeders, and wood feeders) was the most important among the three identified groups. Nine species (with two potentially new species for sciences: Amitermes sp and Eremotermes sp) were recorded for the first time in the country. A strong correlation was found between species richness, total organic matter, and total organic carbon, suggesting the influence of soil richness on termite distribution. The occurrence of the unique member of the feeding group I, Coptotermes intermedius Silvestri, 1912, as well as the occurrence of Fulleritermes tenebricus Silvestri, 1914 (both wood-dwelling termites), was certainly due to the vegetation. The relatively higher species richness as well as the correlation between the species richness and the organic matter of shrub savanna, suggest a better conservation of this landscape.

scholarly journals Diversity of springtails (Hexapoda) according to a altitudinal gradient

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 911-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo García-Gómez ◽  
Gabriela Castaño-Meneses ◽  
José G. Palacios-Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Species Assemblage ◽  
Faunal Composition ◽  
Gradient Effect ◽  
Canonical Analyses

The objective of this work was to elevate gradient effect on diversity of Collembola, in a temperate forest on the northeast slope of Iztaccíhuatl Volcano, Mexico. Four expeditions were organized from November 2003 to August 2004, at four altitudes (2,753, 3,015, 3,250 and 3,687 m a.s.l.). In each site, air temperature, CO2 concentration, humidity, and terrain inclination were measured. The influence of abiotic factors on faunal composition was evaluated, at the four collecting sites, with canonical correspondence analyses (CCA). A total of 24,028 specimens were obtained, representing 12 families, 44 genera and 76 species. Mesaphorura phlorae, Proisotoma ca. tenella and Parisotoma ca. notabilis were the most abundant species. The highest diversity and evenness were recorded at 3,250 m (H' = 2.85; J' = 0.73). Canonical analyses axes 1 and 2 of the CCA explained 67.4% of the variance in species composition, with CO2 and altitude best explaining axis 1, while slope and humidity were better correlated to axis 2. The results showed that CO2 is an important factor to explain Collembola species assemblage, together with slope and humidity.

Biodiversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Alps

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3626 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
BARBARA M. FISCHER ◽  
HEINRICH SCHATZ
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Mite Communities

Oribatid mite communities were studied in the Central Alps(Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria). Samples were taken on four sites along an altitudinal gradient from 2050 m a.s.l to 2900 m a.s.l., in different vegetation units (pine forest, Nardetum, Caricetum, Androsacetum). A total of 86 species were found, most of them occurred only at one altitude, four species were found in all four study sites. Three taxa could not be ascribed to a certain species (Carabodes sp. Mycobates sp., Tectocepheus sp.). Species richness and density of oribatid mites decrease with increasing altitude. The results are compared with previous studies in the same region and show remarkable shifts in species composition.

scholarly journals Termite Diversity in Ecuador: A Comparison of Two Primary Forest National Parks

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia A L Dahlsjö ◽  
Cynthia S Valladares Romero ◽  
Carlos-Iván Espinosa Iñiguez
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Feeding Group ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Termite Ecology ◽  
Group Diversity

Abstract Termites are one of the key ecosystem engineers in tropical forests where they play a major role in decomposition rates, both above and belowground. The interest in termite ecology and biogeography has increased in the last few decades; however, the lack of comparable data has limited the wider impact of termite research. For Ecuador, termite studies are relatively rare and comparable data that are collected using standardized sampling methods are missing. In this study, we aim to 1) provide comparable data of termite species and feeding-group diversity from two primary forests in Ecuador and 2) explore the differences in termite species and feeding-group diversity between the two forest sites. Sampling took place in the national parks of Yasuní and Podocarpus where three belt transects (100 × 2 m) following Jones and Eggleton (2000) were conducted in each forest. We found that termite species richness was higher in Yasuní (56 species) than in Podocarpus (24 species) and that 57% of the sampled termite genera had never previously been recorded in Ecuador. The inter-site species dissimilarity was almost complete (Bray Curtis (±SD), 0.91 ± 0.01), which may have been linked to the difference in tree density and species richness in the two forests. Termite feeding-groups diversity was significantly higher in Yasuní than in Podocarpus with the exception of soil-feeding termites which may have been due to competition between humus- and soil-feeding species.

scholarly journals Disentangling the Ecological Determinants of Species and Functional Trait Diversity in Herb-Layer Plant Communities in European Temperate Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Janez Kermavnar ◽  
Lado Kutnar ◽  
Aleksander Marinšek
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Herb Layer ◽  
Bud Bank ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Forest herb-layer vegetation responds sensitively to environmental conditions. This paper compares drivers of both taxonomic, i.e., species richness, cover and evenness, and functional herb-layer diversity, i.e., the diversity of clonal, bud bank and leaf-height-seed plant traits. We investigated the dependence of herb-layer diversity on ecological determinants related to soil properties, climatic parameters, forest stand characteristics, and topographic and abiotic and biotic factors associated with forest floor structure. The study was conducted in different forest types in Slovenia, using vegetation and environmental data from 50 monitoring plots (400 m2 each) belonging to the ICP Forests Level I and II network. The main objective was to first identify significant ecological predictors and then quantify their relative importance. Species richness was strongly determined by forest stand characteristics, such as richness of the shrub layer, tree layer shade-casting ability as a proxy for light availability and tree species composition. It showed a clear positive relation to soil pH. Variation in herb-layer cover was also best explained by forest stand characteristics and, to a lesser extent, by structural factors such as moss cover. Species evenness was associated with tree species composition, shrub layer cover and soil pH. Various ecological determinants were decisive for the diversity of below-ground traits, i.e., clonal and bud bank traits. For these two trait groups we observed a substantial climatic signal that was completely absent for taxonomy-based measures of diversity. In contrast, above-ground leaf-height-seed (LHS) traits were driven exclusively by soil reaction and nitrogen availability. In synthesis, local stand characteristics and soil properties acted as the main controlling factors for both species and trait diversity in herb-layer communities across Slovenia, confirming many previous studies. Our findings suggest that the taxonomic and functional facets of herb-layer vegetation are mainly influenced by a similar set of ecological determinants. However, their relative importance varies among individual taxonomy- and functional trait-based diversity measures. Integrating multi-faceted approaches can provide complementary information on patterns of herb-layer diversity in European forest plant communities.

Ecological processes maintaining differential tree species distributions in an Australian subtropical rain forest: implications for models of species coexistence

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Debski ◽  
David F. R. P. Burslem ◽  
David Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Differential Mortality ◽  
Mixed Composition ◽  
Large Scale Disturbance

All stems ≥ 1 cm dbh were measured, tagged, mapped and identified on a 1-ha plot of rain forest at Gambubal State Forest, south-east Queensland, Australia. The spatial patterns and size class distributions of 11 common tree species on the plot were assessed to search for mechanisms determining their distribution and abundance. The forest was species-poor in comparison to many lowland tropical forests and the common species are therefore present at relatively high densities. Despite this, only limited evidence was found for the operation of density-dependent processes at Gambubal. Daphnandra micrantha saplings were clumped towards randomly spaced adults, indicating a shift of distribution over time caused by differential mortality of saplings in these adult associated clumps. Ordination of the species composition in 25-m × 25-m subplots revealed vegetation gradients at that scale, which corresponded to slope across the plot. Adult basal area was dominated by a few large individuals of Sloanea woollsii but the comparative size class distributions and replacement probabilities of the 11 common species suggest that the forest will undergo a transition to a more mixed composition if current conditions persist. The current cohort of large S. woollsii individuals probably established after a large-scale disturbance event and the forest has not attained an equilibrium species composition.

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