Dragonflies (Odonata) as Indicators of Biotope Quality in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

1. Monitoring programmes that assess ecosystem changes depend on indicator species or assemblages. Indicators should be sensitive and their response easily measured. This study assessed the suitability of adult male Odonata as indicators of biotope quality along the Sabie River in the Kruger Nationa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of applied ecology 1996-10, Vol.33 (5), p.1001-1012
Main Authors: Clark, Tanza E., Samways, Michael J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biotopes
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration
Flow velocity
Fluvial channels
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitat conservation
Human ecology
Indicator species
Macrophytes
National parks
Odonata
Species
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Summary:1. Monitoring programmes that assess ecosystem changes depend on indicator species or assemblages. Indicators should be sensitive and their response easily measured. This study assessed the suitability of adult male Odonata as indicators of biotope quality along the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park (KNP). 2. Odonate diversity was investigated at 25 sites along the Sabie River using univariate statistical procedures. The KNP supports 81 species, 59 recorded during this study (16 for the first time). 3. Sampling sites were classified by Two Way INdicator SPecies Analysis (TWINSPAN) and ordinated by DEtrended CORrespondence ANAlysis (DECORANA), based on the abundance of adult male Odonata. A predictive model relating Odonate species-groups to biotope variables, was formulated. 4. Classification led to the recognition of 10 ecologically meaningful biotope groups, each with an indicator species and a characteristic assemblage of associated species. 5. Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) indicated that shade cover, permanency and flow rate could discriminate between biotope types defined by TWINSPAN. Variation in site membership between MDA and TWINSPAN suggests interaction between variables in determining species membership. 6. Biotope variables were incorporated into a model which predicted the membership of 82% of sites to the TWINSPAN groups; shade cover alone correctly predicted 44% of the sites. 7. The suitability of the Odonata as indicators of biotope quality, and its consequences for management are discussed.
ISSN:0021-8901
1365-2664
DOI:10.2307/2404681