We have compared the biodiversity variations in moth communities between unmanaged forests and commercial forests in a mountainous environment （Pyrenees France）. The aim was to evaluate the impact of forestry activi...We have compared the biodiversity variations in moth communities between unmanaged forests and commercial forests in a mountainous environment （Pyrenees France）. The aim was to evaluate the impact of forestry activities on moth diversity. The data collected from the insects were analysed with a Bayesian specific similarity index （noted SSP index） and by statistical biodiversity indexes comparison. It was seen that diversity and richness were decreased in the plantation compared to the unmanaged forest. Interestingly, the composition of the communities of moths was shown to be not only related to the presence/absence of host plants, but also to be in relation with changes in the differences in forest architecture （i.e. the relative coverage by the different vegetation levels）. However, the moth community in the commercial forest still has a high capacity to converge with the moth community present in more natural forests. We report here a list of 177 species of moths, providing information on the distribution of some uncommon species, poorly studied as yet in the Pyrenees.展开更多
Background:Many species inhabiting Kihansi gorge ecosystem in Southern Udzungwa Mountains,Tanzania are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss caused by constructed hydropower plant that diverted over 90%the wa...Background:Many species inhabiting Kihansi gorge ecosystem in Southern Udzungwa Mountains,Tanzania are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss caused by constructed hydropower plant that diverted over 90%the water off the Kihansi River.Understanding ecological correlates and structure of an animal community in perturbed ecosystems is an important way to enhancing species conservation particularly in this system,where several species are already threatened with extinction.This study assessed influences of local habitat characteristics on the butterfly abundance,species richness and diversity and examined how the butterfly community structures across three structurally heterogeneous habitats in the Kihansi gorge forest.Butterfly abundance data were collected using baited traps and measured environmental variables in the field,where trapping occurred.To understand the diversity and butterfly richness,these parameters were computed under Primer software.Non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of community similarity were used to analyse the butterfly community structure.Furthermore,the generalized linear models(GLM)were used to assess how the measured variables explained observed species diversity,abundance,and richness.Results:In total,72 species of butterfly in five families were recorded.Butterfly species diversity and richness did not vary across the habitat types or elevation gradient but showed strong correlation with some habitat characteristics.In addition,there was evidence of butterfly communities structuring into distinct groups that showed greater separation associated with the habitat characteristics they utilise.Furthermore,across the study area,butterfly species diversity increased significantly in high canopy and in trees with smaller DBH and at lower ground cover.Similarly,abundance significantly increased in the woodland and wooded grassland habitats,where there was high canopy and where tree density was high.Furthermore,butterfly species richness was strongly positively associated with high canopy cover and mostly increased in sites closer to water source.Conclusion:First,this study shows strong positive correlation between the habitat characteristics and butterfly species and community structure,suggesting strongly that maintaining habitat quality should be a priority in conserving the butterfly communities in Kihansi.Second,conservation of environmental disturbance indicator butterfly taxa which are also endemic and rare is worthy of concern under the ongoing human-induced threats in the area.It is appropriate time that the Tanzania government should declare the Kihansi gorge forest among existing protected areas to secure effective conservation of biological diversity in this threatened ecosystem.Third,the ants–butterfly symbionts and their links to the potential lichen depletion are still unclear,and thus future research should explore the trophic cascades of depleting habitat quality on the endemic and rare butterfly species in the Kihansi gorge.展开更多
文摘We have compared the biodiversity variations in moth communities between unmanaged forests and commercial forests in a mountainous environment （Pyrenees France）. The aim was to evaluate the impact of forestry activities on moth diversity. The data collected from the insects were analysed with a Bayesian specific similarity index （noted SSP index） and by statistical biodiversity indexes comparison. It was seen that diversity and richness were decreased in the plantation compared to the unmanaged forest. Interestingly, the composition of the communities of moths was shown to be not only related to the presence/absence of host plants, but also to be in relation with changes in the differences in forest architecture （i.e. the relative coverage by the different vegetation levels）. However, the moth community in the commercial forest still has a high capacity to converge with the moth community present in more natural forests. We report here a list of 177 species of moths, providing information on the distribution of some uncommon species, poorly studied as yet in the Pyrenees.
文摘Background:Many species inhabiting Kihansi gorge ecosystem in Southern Udzungwa Mountains,Tanzania are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss caused by constructed hydropower plant that diverted over 90%the water off the Kihansi River.Understanding ecological correlates and structure of an animal community in perturbed ecosystems is an important way to enhancing species conservation particularly in this system,where several species are already threatened with extinction.This study assessed influences of local habitat characteristics on the butterfly abundance,species richness and diversity and examined how the butterfly community structures across three structurally heterogeneous habitats in the Kihansi gorge forest.Butterfly abundance data were collected using baited traps and measured environmental variables in the field,where trapping occurred.To understand the diversity and butterfly richness,these parameters were computed under Primer software.Non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of community similarity were used to analyse the butterfly community structure.Furthermore,the generalized linear models(GLM)were used to assess how the measured variables explained observed species diversity,abundance,and richness.Results:In total,72 species of butterfly in five families were recorded.Butterfly species diversity and richness did not vary across the habitat types or elevation gradient but showed strong correlation with some habitat characteristics.In addition,there was evidence of butterfly communities structuring into distinct groups that showed greater separation associated with the habitat characteristics they utilise.Furthermore,across the study area,butterfly species diversity increased significantly in high canopy and in trees with smaller DBH and at lower ground cover.Similarly,abundance significantly increased in the woodland and wooded grassland habitats,where there was high canopy and where tree density was high.Furthermore,butterfly species richness was strongly positively associated with high canopy cover and mostly increased in sites closer to water source.Conclusion:First,this study shows strong positive correlation between the habitat characteristics and butterfly species and community structure,suggesting strongly that maintaining habitat quality should be a priority in conserving the butterfly communities in Kihansi.Second,conservation of environmental disturbance indicator butterfly taxa which are also endemic and rare is worthy of concern under the ongoing human-induced threats in the area.It is appropriate time that the Tanzania government should declare the Kihansi gorge forest among existing protected areas to secure effective conservation of biological diversity in this threatened ecosystem.Third,the ants–butterfly symbionts and their links to the potential lichen depletion are still unclear,and thus future research should explore the trophic cascades of depleting habitat quality on the endemic and rare butterfly species in the Kihansi gorge.
