Step process for selecting and testing surrogates and indicators of afrotemperate forest invertebrate diversity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The diversity and complexity of invertebrate communities usually result in their exclusion from conservation activities. Here we provide a step process for assessing predominantly ground-dwelling Afrotemperate forest invertebrates' (earthworms, centipedes, millipedes, ants, molluscs) potential as surrogates for conservation and indicators for monitoring. We also evaluated sampling methods (soil and litter samples, pitfall traps, active searching quadrats and tree beating) and temporal (seasonal) effects.

Methodology/principal findings

Lack of congruence of species richness across taxa indicated poor surrogacy potential for any of the focus taxa. Based on abundance and richness, seasonal stability, and ease of sampling, molluscs were the most appropriate taxon for

SUBMITTER: Uys C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2817749 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature