THESIS ABSTRACT
Arthropod diversity in native coastal
dune systems and systems invaded by Chrysanthemoides monilifera.
Karen Eardley
Year: 1995
Degree: MEnvSc (Hons)
Abstract:
The South African weed, Chrysanthemoides monilifera is successfully
competing with and displacing native vegetation in coastal systems
of New South Wales. This displacement poses a serious threat
to floristic diversity in these areas but little is known of
its effects on faunal assemblages, particularly arthropods.
In this study species richness and abundance of arthropods
from the orders Amphipoda, Blattodea, Collembola, Coleoptera,
Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera,
Isopoda, Lepidoptera, Myriapoda, Siphonaptera were compared for two coastal
habitat types – native vegetation and C. monilifera invaded vegetation.
The study has shown that vegetation communities invaded by
C. monilifera provide habitat for a diversity of arthropod species
and that the richness and abundance
and composition of arthropods between the sites which suggests there are
differences in arthropod assemblages in native and C. monilifera
habitat. To determine
the extent of these differences further investigation and classification
of arthropods
to genus or species is required.
The main findings of this study have highlighted the fact that
although a weed, C. monilifera provides sufficient habitat to
support a diversity of
arthropod
species which will in turn support other taxa. As a result the biodiversity
value of weed invaded communities requires further ecological investigation
and consideration.
Current management practices focus on total weed eradication from coastal
systems which may not be the most positive action in terms of biodiversity
conservation
outcomes.
Affiliated Publications:
French, K and Eardley, K. (1997) The impact of weed infestations
on litter invertebrates in coastal vegetation. In: Frontiers
in Ecology. (Eds: N Klomp and I Lunt) Elsevier Science, London.
|
