Dung beetle diversity in South Africa : influential factors, conservation status, data inadequacies and survey design

摘要: Dung beetles are useful as indicators in conservation and global warming studies owing to their specialized regional local distribution patterns. However, existing South African data inadequate for indication at the necessary degree of spatial resolution. To improve database, survey methods need be designed according temporal factors that influence dung beetle diversity. Across four major climatic regions, there seven principal species centres which activity is influenced primarily by differences rainfall seasonality temperature. these generic endemism largely concentrated around coastline montane areas. The status endemic genera discussed. At a scale, diversity soil, vegetation type. Maximum observed after decreases surface conditions become warmer drier. After workshop discussions, coarse-grained, asymmetrical gradsect grid has been vegetative, land-usage gradients across Africa. It suggested each point should comprise quarter-degree square ecological surveyed invertebrates. Baited pitfall trapping an easy method provide quantitative such environmental gradients. Lining up catch on tray provides relatively quick way compare specimens, identify present, assessment abundance. Data collection may conducted one or more occasions accommodate seasonal daily variation occurrence. This exercise could localities suitable ecotourism reserves representative ecotypes country, particularly coastal, natural grass wooded where many invertebrate taxa endangered habitat fragmentation including some rare species.