Springtail diversity in South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorJanion, Charlene
dc.contributor.authorBedos, Anne
dc.contributor.authorBengtsson, Jan
dc.contributor.authorDeharveng, Louis
dc.contributor.authorJanse Van Vuuren, Bettine
dc.contributor.authorLeinaas, Hans Petter
dc.contributor.authorLiu, Amy
dc.contributor.authorMalmstrom, Anna
dc.contributor.authorPorco, David
dc.contributor.authorChown, Steven L.
dc.date.accessioned2012-01-18T08:06:38Z
dc.date.available2012-01-18T08:06:38Z
dc.date.issued2011-11
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.scielo.org.za/en_ZA
dc.description.abstractDespite their significance in soil ecosystems and their use for investigations of soil ecosystem functioning and in bioindication elsewhere, springtails (Collembola) have not been well investigated in South Africa. Early recognition of their role in soil systems and sporadic systematic work has essentially characterised knowledge of the southern African fauna for some time. The situation is now changing as a consequence of systematic and ecological work on springtails. To date this research has focused mostly on the Cape Floristic Region and has revealed a much more diverse springtail fauna than previously known (136 identifiable species and an estimated 300 species for the Cape Floristic Region in total), including radiations in genera such as the isotomid Cryptopygus. Quantitative ecological work has shown that alpha diversity can be estimated readily and that the group may be useful for demonstrating land use impacts on soil biodiversity. Moreover, this ecological work has revealed that some disturbed sites, such as those dominated by Galenia africana, may be dominated by invasive springtail species. Investigation of the soil fauna involved in decomposition in Renosterveld and Fynbos has also revealed that biological decomposition has likely been underestimated in these vegetation types, and that the role of fire as the presumed predominant source of nutrient return to the soil may have to be re-examined. Ongoing research on the springtails will provide the information necessary for understanding and conserving soils: one of southern Africa’s major natural assets.en_ZA
dc.format.extent7 p. : ill.
dc.identifier.citationJanion, C. et al. 2011. Springtail diversity in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 107(11-12):01-07, doi:10.4102/sajs.v107i11/12.582.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.4102/sajs.v107i11/12.582
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/19204
dc.publisherAcademy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)en_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectSpringtail (Collembola)en_ZA
dc.subjectSpringtail (Collembola) -- Ecological roleen_ZA
dc.subjectSoil ecosystem functioningen_ZA
dc.titleSpringtail diversity in South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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