The species richness of termites (Isoptera) under differing levels of forest disturbance in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, southern Cameroon

Five forest plots of differing disturbance levels were sampled qualitatively for termites in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, southern Cameroon, using 100 m belt transects. Results showed a large reduction in species richness in two severely disturbed plots compared with a Near Primary plot, but little...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of tropical ecology 1995-02, Vol.11 (1), p.85-98
Main Authors: Eggleton, Paul, Bignell, D. E., Sands, W. A., Waite, B., Wood, T. G., Lawton, J. H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
artificial gaps
Cameroon
disturbance
Fallowing
Forest ecology
Forest regeneration
Forest reserves
functional groups
Isoptera
natural gaps
Old growth forests
Plantations
Species
species richness
termite assemblages
Termites
Timber
Trees
tropical forest
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Five forest plots of differing disturbance levels were sampled qualitatively for termites in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, southern Cameroon, using 100 m belt transects. Results showed a large reduction in species richness in two severely disturbed plots compared with a Near Primary plot, but little difference in two less disturbed regenerating plots; there is some evidence for a slight increase in species richness in the regenerating plots. Soil-feeders predominate in the primary and regenerating plots, but are greatly reduced in the severely disturbed plots. Wood-feeders appear to be more resilient to disturbance than soil-feeders, although their species richness is low in the most disturbed plots. The Termitinae are the dominant taxonomic group in the Near Primary plot, the Apicotermitinae in the less disturbed regenerating plots and the Macrotermitinae in the clear felled areas. There appears to be no secondary invasion of plots by savanna-associated species, and the small apparent increase in species richness in the less disturbed regenerating plots appears to be due to the influx of forest species usually associated with natural gaps.
ISSN:0266-4674
1469-7831
DOI:10.1017/S0266467400008439