Conservation of the invertebrate fauna on the Cape Peninsula

[摘要] The Cape Peninsula is an area of outstanding biological importance, having 158endemic angiosperm species in only 470 km2. The peninsula invertebrates areknown to be highly endemic, yet very little else is known about them. This studyhas four components: (1) ascertaining whether the influence of environmentalvariables on epigaeic, foliage and aerial invertebrate assemblages of TableMountain, (2) determinination of the influence of Table Mountain's fires and landtransformation, on the local invertebrate assemblage, (3), identification of areas ofconservation priority and influential environmental variables across the entire CapePeninsula, and (4) determinination whether invertebrate food availability is arestricting factor for the localised and threatened Knysna warbler (Bradypterussylvaticus), which inhabits the forests on the east side of Table Mountain.Epigaeic, foliage and aerial invertebrates were intensively sampled using asuite of techniques. Sites were chosen to allow for comparisons between vegetationstructure and type, elevation and aspect. Vegetation structure and elevation werethe most important environmental variables in determining species composition.Fynbos had a higher beta diversity of epigaeic and aerial invertebrates than forests,so the conservation of as much fynbos as possible is needed. The forests had manyunique and endemic species, highlighting their conservation importance. Aselevation had a strong influence, yet only the higher elevations receive extensiveconservation, it is critical to conserve as much of the disturbed and fragmentedlower elevations as soon as possible. There was little correlation between thediversity of aerial and epigaeic‐foliage invertebrate assemblages. Thus, the aerialand epigaeic‐foliage invertebrate assemblages need to be assessed separately.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University