Designing a dragonfly trail in the National Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.Dragonfly assemblages and their biotope preferences in the National Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa were investigated. The information served as background for increasing public awareness and education by designing a dragonfly observation trail. Multivariate analyses of data, classified 20 a priori selected sampling units into four ecologically meaningful biotope types, each with characteristic dragonfly assemblages. These biotopes were: 'waterfall', 'forested river', 'shaded pond/stream' and 'open ponds/dam'. Species-environmental variables correlations were significantly high for six out of twelve, measured environmental variables: pH, percentage shade, vegetation (structural and compositional), ambient temperatures, water temperatures, and water depth. Sunlit ponds/dam had higher species richness and diversity than the other water bodies. The months of November to April were significantly high in species richness and diversity, and were characterized by both rare and abundant, and both localized and widespread species. The winter months (May to October), in contrast, were characterized by only the widespread and abundant species. Questionnaire responses were used to test the popularity of the concept of a dragonfly trail, and showed a high level of awareness and commitment on the part of respondents (visitors to the botanical gardens) across all age groups. There was a strong response to knowing more about dragonflies (using a trail) and to become involved in conserving them. The scientific results, the responses to the questionnaire, and practical feasibility, all indicated that the instigation of a trail was possible. After some preliminary trials, a full trail was designed, which is now being installed by the National Botanical Gardens for the benefit of a wide sector of the public and for heightening public awareness of the need for dragonfly and other invertebrate conservation. This study was partly in response to the IUCN Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: Dragonflies, and to widen the value and appeal of the botanical gardens, which are an already well-established public asset

Dragonfly assemblage dynamics and conservation at small reservoirs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.A study of the odonate fauna was carried out at the edge of a major escarpment, in eastern South Africa, using the same methodology as has been used in the temperate regions to obtain a sub-tropical perspective. The study used the macroecology approach to compare patterns and responses of these animals (at the developmental stages of larva, tenerals and adults) to seasonal, topographical and anthropogenic disturbances. The habitats used were small, but well-established reservoirs located at five elevational gradients: Stainbank Nature Reserve (100 m), Krantzkloof Nature Reserve (450 m), National Botanical Gardens Pietermaritzburg (790 m) Cedara (1050 m) and Mondi Goodhope Estate (1350 m). Although this is essentially a local component of a larger macroecological study, it is shown that even though species and identities differ between temperate, tropical and sub-tropical ecoregions, the general pattern of community response to these variables is similar. Odonate species phenologies in this sub-tropical study showed great similarity to their tropical counterparts by reason of their adults being highly elevation-tolerant, with long flight periods and over-lapping generations. Yet they also show temperate characteristics by over-wintering principally as larvae and eggs. The Libellulidae, followed by the Coenagrionidae were the most abundant, elevationtolerant families, with national endernics constituting only 6.5% of the total species sampled. Classification and ordination methods identified and characterised sub-sites to ecologically meaningful biotopes for odonates . This also allowed inferences as to how the various landscape disturbances at the five elevations affect species richness and abundance. Species that responded to these impacts were potential indicator groups that can assist in the planning and management of the landscape for conservation of biodiversity. Some management recommendations for these landscapes are given. Individual odonate species developmental stages and their environmental relations were investigated using both univariate and multivariate analyses. The solutions to these analyses were then used to describe how odonate species are distributed along major environmental gradients. It was shown that regional processes e.g. elevation and insolation alongside local variables e.g. pH, marginal grasses, percentage shade, exposed rock, marginal forest, marsh and flow greatly accounted for adult (aerial stage) assemblage variation and distribution. Turbidity, floating/submerged vegetation and water depth (also influenced by regional factors), highly explained larval (aquatic stage) variation. Elevation has therefore, an indirect effect in that it determines climate, which in turn, determines soil and vegetation types which then determine species presence and absence. Also, although these artificial water bodies do not increase the 'extent of species occurrence', they are important in increasing their 'area of occupancy'. Dragonflies play a major role in conservation. The Japanese culture has strongly illustrated how dragonflies feature in everyday life more than any other country in the world. While many parks and Botanical Gardens feature dragonfly trails in their nature trails in Britain, this does not necessarily cater for threatened species . Conservation of invertebrates in urban environments in South Africa for example by ecological landscaping designed to encourage dragonflies has been particularly rewarding. A core of regularly occurring odonate species occupied the dragonfly trail at the National Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg, while other species visited the study site at irregular periods . This is likely to be the case for a longer term, say ten years or more. Also, the trail, with updated information on species phenologies, variability and habitat preferences continues to play a valuable role in sensitising an increasingly urbanised population to biodiversity and conservation issues. Odonates remain a major component when assessing ecological components of aquatic biotopes, with the assemblage composition at anyone locality capable of changing over time. This has been extensively illustrated in the northern hemisphere. Medium to longer term changes in odonate population at established reservoirs as demonstrated in this study at the National Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, makes it possible to determine whe[t]her a species in a conservation area is being given enough protection from local anthropogenic impacts and effects of unpredictable weather conditions. This in turn enables one to understand how concepts of residency and succession underpin conservation management decisions. In conclusion, this study has addressed some salient aspects of species inventory, monitoring and conservation practice at a local scale that also play a central role in conventional biodiversity conservation practice of a global nature. Information on species phenologies enhances their awareness-raising in addition to providing valuable insights into their population dynamics and conservation, especially for those under threat. In addition, baseline data from this study and similar ones is useful in conserving biodiversity (as subjects) or in multi-taxa studies (as tools) in conserving ecosystems and/or landscapes. Finally, the macroecological approach employed in this study has great potential for teasing apart local effects from regional and/or global ones, and can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at both small and large scales.Text cut off on some pages

Turnover of benthic macroinvertebrates along the Mthatha River, Eastern Cape, South Africa: implications for water quality bio-monitoring using indicator species

The ecological integrity of the Mthatha River is increasingly under threat from climate change and anthropogenic impacts of contamination by acidification, organic pollutants, industrial and agricultural chemicals, and waste water. This study assessed the ecological state of the river and the impact of water quality on benthic macroinvertebrate communities from 2015 to 2016. Faunal specimens were sampled and environmental variables measured at four sites that vary in topography and human impact along the river. A total of 2980 specimens were recorded at sites, and classified into 12 orders, 46 families and 71 species. Species composition and distribution were directly or indirectly affected by season, physico-chemical variables and habitat heterogeneity. CCA results showed that electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and vegetation accounted for species distribution patterns. Both habitat-restricted and common/widespread species can be used as indicators for assessing the quality of the Mthatha River system. Habitat management along the river should aim at preserving sufficient indigenous vegetation, especially during summer when biotope requirements are optimal. The practicality of using species-level surveys on a routine basis can be challenging. It might be advisable to select a few indicator species identified in this study and to monitor them as surrogates for the whole community

Climate and elevational range of a South African dragonfly assemblage

Elevation and climate are interrelated variables which have a profound affect on biota. Flying insects such as dragonflies can rapidly disperse and optimal habitat conditions at appropriate elevations. Such behaviour is likely to be especially important in geographical areas which are subject to major climatic events such as El Niño. Accordingly, we studied dragonflies and environmental variables in a series of reservoirs over an elevational range of 100–1350 m a.s.l. at the same latitude on the eastern seaboard of South Africa. The aim was to determine how elevation and climate (as regional processes), as well as local factors, influence species assemblage variability, habitat preference and phenology. Certain environmental variables strongly explained the main variation in species assemblage. These included local factors such as pH, marginal grasses, percentage shade, exposed rock, marginal forest and to a lesser extent, marshes and flow. Different species showed various tolerance levels to these variables. Elevation and climate as regional processes had very little influence on dragonfly assemblages in comparison with these environmental factors. These odonate species are essentially sub-tropical, and are similar to their tropical counterparts in that they have long flight periods with overlapping generations. Yet they also have temperate characteristics such as over-wintering mostly as larvae. These results indicate evolutionary adaptations from both temperate and tropical regions. Furthermore, most were also widespread and opportunistic habitat generalists. The national endemics Pseudagrion citricola and Africallagma sapphirinum only occurred at high elevations. However, the endemic Agriocnemis falcifera was throughout all elevations, suggesting regional endemism does not necessarily equate to elevational intolerance. Overall, the results suggest that many millennia of great climatic variation have led to a highly vagile and elevation-tolerant dragonfly assemblage which readily occupies new water bodies. Such an assemblage is likely to be highly tolerant of global climate change, so long as there is sufficient water to keep the reservoirs at a constant level

Epigaeic invertebrate community structure in two subtropical nature reserves, Eastern Cape, South Africa: Implications for conservation management

Volume: 52Start Page: 7End Page: 1

FreshLanDiv: A Global Database of Freshwater Biodiversity Across Different Land Uses

International audienceMotivation Freshwater ecosystems have been heavily impacted by land‐use changes, but data syntheses on these impacts are still limited. Here, we compiled a global database encompassing 241 studies with species abundance data (from multiple biological groups and geographic locations) across sites with different land‐use categories. This compilation will be useful for addressing questions regarding land‐use change and its impact on freshwater biodiversity. Main Types of Variables Contained The database includes metadata of each study, sites location, sample methods, sample time, land‐use category and abundance of each taxon. Spatial Location and Grain The database contains data from across the globe, with 85% of the sites having well‐defined geographical coordinates. Major Taxa and Level of Measurement The database covers all major freshwater biological groups including algae, macrophytes, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish and amphibians

FreshLanDiv: A Global Database of Freshwater Biodiversity Across Different Land Uses

Publication status: PublishedFunder: Ministry of Sciences, Technology and Innovation of ColombiaFunder: Graduate School of the University of TennesseeMotivation: Freshwater ecosystems have been heavily impacted by land‐use changes, but data syntheses on these impacts are still limited. Here, we compiled a global database encompassing 241 studies with species abundance data (from multiple biological groups and geographic locations) across sites with different land‐use categories. This compilation will be useful for addressing questions regarding land‐use change and its impact on freshwater biodiversity. Main Types of Variables Contained: The database includes metadata of each study, sites location, sample methods, sample time, land‐use category and abundance of each taxon. Spatial Location and Grain: The database contains data from across the globe, with 85% of the sites having well‐defined geographical coordinates. Major Taxa and Level of Measurement: The database covers all major freshwater biological groups including algae, macrophytes, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish and amphibians