Environmental Science
M.I. Moreno Pallares; M.A. Bonilla Gómez; G.H. Guillot Monroy; A.C. Torregroza-Espinosa
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Odonate larvae play an important role in macroinvertebrate trophic networks and are excellent proxies for wetland quality. However, despite their ecological importance, research on odonates and how they interact with their environment is scarce. This study aims to assess macroinvertebrate ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Odonate larvae play an important role in macroinvertebrate trophic networks and are excellent proxies for wetland quality. However, despite their ecological importance, research on odonates and how they interact with their environment is scarce. This study aims to assess macroinvertebrate composition as determinants of larval abundance in Miathyria marcella (Odonata: Anizoptera: Libellulidae).METHODS: 29 samples were collected from six wetlands with different hydrological influence using standardized invertebrate sampling techniques in the Department of Atlántico, northern Colombia. Standardized invertebrate sampling techniques were used in 29 sampling points. Obtained data were used to analyze invertebrate abundance and a non-parametric multidimensional scaling analysis was applied. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted between macroinvertebrate composition and Miathyria marcella larval abundance.FINDINGS: A total of 2586 larvae, and 12925 individual macroinvertebrates were collected, distributed in 25 orders and 58 families. The most abundant orders were Neotaenioglossa (26 percent), Odonata (15 percent) Calanoida (10 percent) and Diptera (8 percent). Heatmap and scaling analysis indicated different macroinvertebrate compositions in the sampled wetlands. A high positive correlation between Miathyria marcella and the orders Odonata (R2 = 0.84, p-value ≤ 0.05), Coleoptera (R2 = 0.52, p-value ≤ 0.05), Basommatophora (R2 = 0.60, p-value ≤ 0.05) and Hemiptera (R2 = 0.50, p-value ≤ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the abundance of Miathyria marcella responds to the accompanying macroinvertebrates, the composition of which depends on the type of hydrological influence. Approaches focused on the relationships between macroinvertebrate taxa are important conservation tools for biodiversity assessment. Results from this study will serve as a baseline to propose monitoring and follow-up strategies on the environmental sustainability in wetlands in this region.
Environmental Science
R. Garsetiasih; N.M. Heriyanto; W.C. Adinugroho; H. Gunawan; I W.S. Dharmawan; R. Sawitri; I. Yeny; N. Mindawati; . Denny
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peat swamp forest ecosystems are fragile ecosystems with different peat depths according to the level of peat formation. Moreover, a peat swamp forest can have diverse vegetation and high carbon stocks. Thus, caution should be taken in the sustainable management of a peat swamp ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peat swamp forest ecosystems are fragile ecosystems with different peat depths according to the level of peat formation. Moreover, a peat swamp forest can have diverse vegetation and high carbon stocks. Thus, caution should be taken in the sustainable management of a peat swamp forest. However, the connection between vegetation diversity, carbon stocks, and peat depths has not been widely studied in efforts to conserve vegetation and peatlands. This study aimed to analyze the connection between vegetation diversity, carbon stocks, and peat depths in the Kahayan Sebangau Peat Hydrology Unit.METHODS: Plots at the peat depths of four sites were studied: site 1 (<50 cm), site 2 (393-478 cm), site 3 (479-564 cm), and site 4 (565-649 cm).CONCLUSION: All Pearson correlation values between peat depth, vegetation diversity, and carbon stock were positive with each other. This shows that peat depth, vegetation diversity, and carbon stock are interdependent and connected to one another.
Environmental Science
Z. Mohebi; H. Mirzaei
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Assessment of biodiversity is a key factor in understanding of function and ecosystem management. Nevertheless, an operating procedure for assessing biodiversity and spatial pattern has not been established yet. Therefore, this empirical study was conducted to explore the role ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Assessment of biodiversity is a key factor in understanding of function and ecosystem management. Nevertheless, an operating procedure for assessing biodiversity and spatial pattern has not been established yet. Therefore, this empirical study was conducted to explore the role of diversity of species in the spatial patterning of tow shrub herbaceous communities. METHODS: First, the biodiversity analysis was performed by Past3 software to compare the relationship between the two communities. Secondly, the distance and quadrat indices were employed to explore the spatial relationship of dominant species with diversity. In this regard, 64 and 84 plant species recorded in two vegetation types were investigated. Distribution patterns were extracted by distance and quadrat indices and Ecological Methodology software.FINDINGS: The results showed that vegetation type 2 had more diversity and richness compared to vegetation type 1. Besides, the spatial distributions of dominant species (Astragalus gossipinus and Bromus tomentellus) in the two vegetation types were clumped and random with tendency to be clumped. The Scrophulariaceae, Malvaceae, Papaveraceae, and Euphorbiaceae families were not found in vegetation Type 1, and vegetation Type 2 had no species of the Boraginaceae, Rosaceae, Thumeliaceae, Capparidaceae, Oleaceae, Sistaceae, and Dispaceae families. The results showed significant differences in the number of Gaminae and Legominosea families between the two vegetation types. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that in communities with a dominant cover of shrub, the distribution pattern was clumped, and quadrat indices were less efficient than distance indices. While, in high-diversity communities with a predominant cover of gross, spatial distribution was random and distance and quadrat indices were more convergent.
