Plant characteristics determine insect borer assemblages on Protea speciesin the Cape Fynbos, and importance for conservation management

Citation
Mg. Wright et Mj. Samways, Plant characteristics determine insect borer assemblages on Protea speciesin the Cape Fynbos, and importance for conservation management, BIODIVERS C, 8(8), 1999, pp. 1089-1100
Citations number
40
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
ISSN journal
0960-3115 → ACNP
Volume
8
Issue
8
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1089 - 1100
Database
ISI
SICI code
0960-3115(199908)8:8<1089:PCDIBA>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
The influence of regional climate, biotope and host-plant variables on the frequency of occurrence of insect borers associated with infructescences of Protea species in the species-rich flora of the Cape Fynbos was investigat ed. Large samples of infructescences (n = 1000) were collected on a seasona l basis and borers identified and quantified. Data were analysed using DECO RANA and CANOCO so as to correlate environmental variables with borer occur rence. Distinct differences in frequency of occurrence of the various insec t taxa were recorded on the various plant species studied. These difference s were primarily accounted for by physical host-plant characteristics (infr uctescence and seed set variables), and secondarily, by biotope variables a nd climatic factors. Fynbos plant characteristics therefore play a major ro le in determining insect abundance. Plant diversity in the Fynbos is mainta ined by burning. These management burns, however, should not be applied too frequently or over areas large enough to extirpate any borer species. As t hese borers are excellent umbrellas for many other insects, their conservat ion covers Fynbos insect diversity in general.