Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:31:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3596.pdf: 1182246 bytes, checksum: 313badd826fcb755887e3f7becfbf99f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-04 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Aiming to answer the question: preserved streams can sustain higher beta diversity than degraded streams? We estimated beta diversity of preserved and degraded streams during the rainy season of 2009 in pool and riffle areas using as substrate bags of leaf litter of tree species Talauma ovata. We analyzed the similarity in taxonomic composition of different mesohabitats using different indices of similarity (Sørensen, Morisita-Horn and Horn) and their corresponding estimators of diversity. Our study showed higher values of beta diversity in streams degraded when estimated by the similarity indices of Sørensen and Morisita-Horn. On the other hand the Horn index indicated no differences between the streams. This greater differentiation in faunistic composition between the different streams in degraded mesohabitats seems to be related to degradation of the riparian zone which favored the largest effect of hydrological disturbance due to increased volume of water especially in areas of pool resulting in elimination of taxa and increase local the dominance of more tolerant taxa, affecting beta diversity. This study paves the way for new understandings of the effects of degradation of riparian zones in streams, because the comparison between habitats within a given stream may provide a basis to assess their state of degradation, making possible new approaches to biomonitoring. / Com o objetivo de responder a pergunta: Córregos preservados podem sustentar uma maior diversidade beta que córregos degradados? Estimamos a diversidade beta de córregos preservados e degradados durante a estação chuvosa de 2009 em áreas de remanso e corredeira utilizando como substrato sacos de detritos foliares da espécie arbórea Talauma ovata. Analisamos a similaridade na composição taxonômica dos diferentes mesohabitats utilizando diferentes índices de similaridade (Sørensen, Morisita-Horn e Horn) e seus estimadores de diversidade correspondentes. Nosso estudo mostrou maiores valores de diversidade beta nos córregos degradados quando estimado pelos índices de similaridade de Sørensen e Morisita-Horn. Já o índice de Horn não indicou diferenças entre os córregos. Esta maior diferenciação na composição faunística entre os diferentes mesohabitats nos córregos degradados parece estar relacionada à degradação da zona ripária que favoreceu o maior efeito das perturbações hidrológicas devido ao maior volume de água especialmente nas áreas de remanso, resultando em eliminação local de táxons e aumento na dominância de táxons mais tolerantes, afetando a diversidade beta. Este estudo abre caminho para novas perspectivas de compreensão dos efeitos da degradação das zonas ripárias em córregos, pois a comparação entre habitats dentro de um dado córrego pode fornecer subsídios para avaliar seu estado de degradação, possibilitando novas abordagens de biomonitoramento.

Malaise traps are a common tool for collecting insects used by many researchers. Although there have been variations in the models and materials used for Malaise traps, the potential for sampling bias due to mesh gague has been explored inadequately. This study compared coarse and fine mesh Townes model Malaise traps in two habitats on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The two habitats next to the Lick Wash trailhead were defined by dominant vegetation type – sagebrush and grasses or Piñon-Juniper. We collected from three sites per habitat type, over three consecutive days in June in both 2006 and 2007. A pair of Malaise traps consisting of one coarse mesh and one fine mesh trap were used at each site in order to compare differences in the diversity and in the average size of individuals collected by each type of Malaise trap. We measured diversity using both presence-absence data such as richness scores and Jaccard's Index of Similarity, and abundance-based measures of comparison, including Simpson's Index of Diversity and non-metric multidimensional scaling. We identified all individuals according to Order, and because of our interest in flies and their abundance, we further identified the Dipter ta to the Family level. Average insect size was determined by categorizing individuals according to one of 14 distinct size-classes. In sum, 71 samples totaling approximately 62,500 insects were identified and sized. Because we sampled from two adjacent habitats, we also discuss beta diversity across the sample sites. Although mesh-size appears to have a significant effect on the diversity of the catch according to some tests, not all of our analysis agrees. In addition, the gain in the amount of diversity collected by incorporating both mesh-sizes may not be worth the costs of that kind of sampling. Other means of collection may adequately make up that difference. Habitat on the other hand was a clear marker for difference in diversity. Size was not found to be significant overall, but there still may be reasons to examine the effect of mesh-size with respect to the Hymenoptera.