[en] Land use change caused by human activities is the main driver of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem functioning. However, less is known about how the conversion of a natural to pasture land favour the biological diversity of soil-litter arthropods to advance effective conservation plans and management systems. To fill the gap, this study focussed on soil-litter arthropod communities under a pasture land use in southern Rwanda. Data have been collected using pitfall traps and hand collection between April and June 2021. Sampled specimens of soil-litter arthropods have been identified to order and family levels by using dichotomous keys. Further, the species name was given when the identification key was available, while the morphological description was provided in absence of the identification keys. Results indicated a total of 3013 individuals of soil-litter arthropods grouped into 3 classes, 13 orders, 46 families and 87 morpho-species. Coleoptera showed a high number of families, while higher abundance and the number of morpho-species were found for ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Higher abundance of sampled soil-litter arthropods is a sign that the studied area offers suitable habitat for soil-litter arthropods. However, less abundance found for some groups of soil-litter arthropods might be influenced by the used sampling techniques which were not appropriate for them. We recommend surveys using multiple sampling techniques to maximize chances of capturing a wide range of soil-litter arthropods.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Nsengimana, Venuste ; Université de Liège - ULiège ; Department of Mathematics, Science and Physical Education, College of Education, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda ; Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB), College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Iradukunda, Christella S.; Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB), College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
de Dieu Nsenganeza, Jean; Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB), College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Mberwa, Josué William; Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB), College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Dekoninck, Wouter ; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Scientific Heritage Service), Brussels, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Soil-litter arthropod communities under pasture land use in southern Rwanda
The authors thank the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Rubona station for the authorization to sample the pasture land located at Rubona Agricultural Research Station. The Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB) based in the College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda is thanked for the assistance during the identification of soil-litter arthropods and data analysis. Also Mr. Thacien Hagenimana, researcher fellow to the CoEB is acknowledged for the assistance to analyze GIS data and making the sampling point map.This research was funded by the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) within the framework of Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CEBioS). The CEBioS is based at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS), Brussels, Belgium.
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