Title

Variation in the abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera as an indicator of biodiversity across three tropical habitats in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Alternative Title

Variación en la abundancia y diversidad de himenópteros como un indicador de la biodiversidad a través de tres hábitats tropicales en Monteverde, Costa Rica

Creator

Jessica Ramsel

Files

Publication Date

August 2007

Abstract

Loss of biodiversity is becoming increasingly evident and is receiving much attention. Fragmentation and conversion of natural forest into agricultural land in particular are increasingly detrimental to biodiversity. It has been stated that agroecosystems such as agroforestry provide a valuable contribution to the overall biodiversity of the landscape and may even be suitable for conservation efforts (Tylianakis et al. 2005; Klein et al. 2002). This study examined the relative abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera within three habitats: primary forest, an agricultural area, and an open area. This was done by placing yellow plates with honey and soap water in each of the three areas. The plates were left out for five hours and then all Hymenoptera were collected and analyzed to find relative abundance and diversity. It was found that there was no significant difference in the number of individuals or species between primary forest and the agricultural area (Student t-test: t = 3.04, df = 275, p = 0.164). In contrast, there was a significant difference between primary forest and the open area (Student t-test: t = 5.83, df = 53, p < 0.001) and the agricultural area and the open area (Student t-test: t = 7.80, df = 51, p = 0.009). The greatest numbers of individuals were found in the primary forest and the greatest number of species in the agricultural area. The fewest species and individuals were found in the open area. That there was no significant difference between numbers of species or individuals in primary forest versus agroforest may suggest that agroforest could be a suitable area in which to focus a conservation effort. La perdida de biodiversidad es cada vez mas evidente y ahora esta recibiendo mucha atención. La fragmentación y la conversión de los bosques naturales en tierras agrícolas son particularmente degradantes para la biodiversidad. Se sugiere que los agro-ecosistemas como los sistemas agro-forestales se puede usar para la conservación (Klein et al. 2002). Este estudio examino la abundancia relativa y la diversidad de Hymenoptera en tres lugares: bosque primario, un area agrícola y un area abierta.

Keywords

Hymenoptera, Fragmented landscapes, Paisajes fragmentados, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone--Cerro Plano, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde--Cerro Plano, CIEE Summer 2007, CIEE Verano 2007

Description

Student affiliation : Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Born Digital

Subject: topical

Hymenoptera; Fragmented landscapes; Paisajes fragmentados; CIEE Summer 2007; CIEE Verano 2007

Subject: geographic

Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone--Cerro Plano; Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde--Cerro Plano

Genre

Reports

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute MVI

Identifier

M39-00404

Recommended Citation

Ramsel, Jessica, "Variation in the abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera as an indicator of biodiversity across three tropical habitats in Monteverde, Costa Rica" (2007). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 550.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/550