The conservation value of artificial ponds in the Western Cape Province for aquatic beetles and bugs

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dc.contributor.advisorSamways, Michael J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorApinda-Legnouo, Emelie Arletteen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2008-02-11T07:57:12Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-01T09:06:50Z
dc.date.available2008-02-11T07:57:12Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2010-06-01T09:06:50Z
dc.date.issued2007-12
dc.descriptionThesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosc, 2007.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRSACT: Freshwater insect species and their host ecosystems are widely threatened, particularly within agricultural and urban landscapes of Mediterranean areas, including that of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The study here determined the biodiversity value of nineteen artificial ponds (temporary and permanent) and two river margin sites in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The aim was to determine aquatic beetle and bug abundance and species richness in these ponds, a topic which has been hardly explored in South Africa. Sites were sampled from September 2005 to September 2006. A total of 18 677 aquatic beetle and bug individuals were sampled, representing 43 genera (28 beetle and 15 bug genera), 64 species (44 aquatic beetle and 20 bug species). Different pond types had distinct species assemblages. The associated physico-chemical characteristics of these sites were also investigated. The key environmental variable affecting aquatic beetle and bug distribution was naturalness (no human and environmental impact on waterbody). The results showed that the most important determinant of aquatic beetle and bug species richness across all sites was emergent macrophytes, such as Typha capensis and Persicaria decipiens. Artificial ponds in the CFR clearly increase the area of occupancy for insects, and therefore play a major role in conserving them. This is especially so when the ponds are at moderate temperatures (i.e. 19ยบ C). Although all ponds contributed to the aquatic beetle and bug diversity in the region, they differed in relative value, depending on the combination of environmental variables affecting each pond.en_ZA
dc.format.extent3292422 bytesen_ZA
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3122
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch Universityen_ZA
dc.rights.holderStellenbosch Universityen_ZA
dc.subjectConservationen_ZA
dc.subjectPondsen_ZA
dc.subjectInsectsen_ZA
dc.subjectTheses -- Conservation ecology and entomologyen_ZA
dc.subjectDissertations -- Conservation ecology and entomologyen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshPonds -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFreshwater insects -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFreshwater insects -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFreshwater insects -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFreshwater insects -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subject.otherConservation ecologyen_ZA
dc.titleThe conservation value of artificial ponds in the Western Cape Province for aquatic beetles and bugsen
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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