Surveys of plant and selected insect species was conducted in Highveld and Lowveld
agro–ecosystems of four provinces of South Africa, namely North–West, Mpumalanga,
KwaZulu–Natal and Limpopo. The objectives of the study were to compare insect and
plant diversity between localities (grassland and savanna) and treatments (maize field,
semi–transformed and untransformed) to test for a general relationship between plant
and insect diversity along a maize field–field margin gradient. Plant and insect diversity
patterns were studied along the gradient and quantified in terms of richness and
diversity indices. Plant and insect species compositional turnover was also measured
along the maize field–field margin gradient. Plant diversity increased with increasing
distance from maize fields into the margin. The flora in maize fields and of margins
differed, but in contrast, insect species assemblages were similar in maize fields and
margins. There was no statistical difference in insect diversity between treatments
(maize field, semi–transformed and transformed). A relationship was revealed between
plant and insect diversity, as plant diversity enhanced insect diversity. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/7614 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Maliba, Bheki George |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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