Thesis (PhD (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The Cape Peninsula is an area of outstanding biological importance, having 158
endemic angiosperm species in only 470 km2. The peninsula invertebrates are
known to be highly endemic, yet very little else is known about them. This study
has four components: (1) ascertaining whether the influence of environmental
variables on epigaeic, foliage and aerial invertebrate assemblages of Table
Mountain, (2) determinination of the influence of Table Mountain’s fires and land
transformation, on the local invertebrate assemblage, (3), identification of areas of
conservation priority and influential environmental variables across the entire Cape
Peninsula, and (4) determinination whether invertebrate food availability is a
restricting factor for the localised and threatened Knysna warbler (Bradypterus
sylvaticus), which inhabits the forests on the east side of Table Mountain.
Epigaeic, foliage and aerial invertebrates were intensively sampled using a
suite of techniques. Sites were chosen to allow for comparisons between vegetation
structure and type, elevation and aspect. Vegetation structure and elevation were
the 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 many
unique and endemic species, highlighting their conservation importance. As
elevation had a strong influence, yet only the higher elevations receive extensive
conservation, it is critical to conserve as much of the disturbed and fragmented
lower elevations as soon as possible. There was little correlation between the
diversity of aerial and epigaeic‐foliage invertebrate assemblages. Thus, the aerial
and epigaeic‐foliage invertebrate assemblages need to be assessed separately.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1305 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Pryke, James Stephen |
| Contributors | Samways, M. J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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