Linking Landscape and Species

ISBN-13: 9783659439735 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 132 str.

Shelef Oren;Shachak Moshe;Groner Elli

Opis

This research relates to the two-phase mosaic made by shrubs and intershrub patches as a simple form of landscape diversity, and aims to study its effect on ground-dwelling beetle diversity. I studied the effect of shrubs on beet;e diversity with emphasis on the difference between shrub patch and intershrub patch. This difference is termed "contrast". The study was carried out in two stations within Israel - (1) an arid, shrub-poor ecosystem (Avdat) and (2) a semi-arid shrub-rich ecosystem (Lehavim). Results of pitfall trapping showed that more beetles were found under shrub patches in the arid site, but in the semi-arid ecosystem beetles were more abundant in the open patches. In order to understand the drivers behind these opposite patterns, I performed field observations of beetle movement, by looking at dominant Adesmia (Tenebrionidae) species. Their behavior showed strong links to the refuge offered and shading effect of shrubs. Results of a transplant experiment support the findings that shrub structure determines beetle behavior. The effect of the shrub-open patch mosaic on beetles is an example for the importance of landscape diversity in determining species diversity.

O autorze

Living in the Negev desert, Israel, with my family, I enjoy the dry climate and fantastic views on offer. I am an enthusiastic student of the local environment, walking its many trails to observe the interactions with the local flora and fauna. Some of which have been published as short stories and poetry, and others in academic journals.