Workpackages of Subproject S12

Workpackage WP12.1

Carmen Kassier (MSc Student, Supervisor: Prof MA McGeoch), Conservation Ecology Department, University of Stellenbosch
ckassier@sun.ac.za

Epigaeic invertebrate diversity across a human-influenced landscape mosaic

Short description: This project investigates the impact of land transformation and alien invasion on epigaeic invertebrates, focussing mainly on ant diversity. Species diversity and community assemblages are compared between paired transformed and untransformed sites, aiming to determine which factors impact on insect diversity in transformed habitats.

Workpackage WP12.2

Sven Vrdoljak (PhD Student, Supervisor: Prof MJ Samways), Department of Entomology, University of Stellenbosch
sven@sun.ac.za

Insect pollinators in transformed landscapes in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR)

Short description: This project examines the effects of habitat change and fragmentation associated with anthropogenic transformation the landscape on insect plant visitor (pollinator) communities in the CFR. The diversity of insect visitors to plants will be assessed in areas of natural, transformed and remnant patches of vegetation at a number of BIOTA and other sites within the Western Cape. This will allow comparisons of a (alpha) and ß (beta) diversity to be made over a number of spatial scales, ranging from single sites to the CFR as a region. Potential links also exist between this project and others examining similar issues in other communities such as plants and epigaeic arthropods.

Workpackage WP12.3

Dr. Cornelia B. Krug, Conservation Ecology Department, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
ckrug@sun.ac.za

Small mammal communities in fragmented agricultural landscapes of the Western Cape

Short description: This study focuses on the impact of habitat fragmentation and human-induced landscape change on small mammal community composition in natural vegetation remnants. Of special interest is how of small isolated vegetation fragments can contribute to maintaining small mammal diversity in the agricultural areas of the Western Cape, and how diversity on these fragments compares to diversity found in large areas under protection. Special focus of the research will be the insectivorous species (some of the murids, but mainly the shrews), which, as top predators, are most affected by habitat transformation. The white-tailed mouse (Mystromys albicaudatus), and the greater musk shrew (Crocidura flavescens) which are associated with Renosterveld, a highly threatened vegetation type in the Western Cape, are both listed in the Red Data Book as "vulnerable".

Workpackage WP12.4

Dr. Sonja Matthee, Conservation Ecology Department, University of Stellenbosch
smatthee@sun.ac.za

Parasite diversity of small mammals: influence of natural and human-induced disturbances on parasite communities in the Cape Floristic Region

Short description: The study focuses on the parasite community structure of the striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio. Relatively little is known regarding the effect of habitat transformation on the species richness, abundance and prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites in and on indigenous small mammal fauna in South Africa. The study will investigate the role of relative host density and host species richness on these parasite communities as well as establish if parasite communities within and across habitat fragments conform to metapopulation-based predictions for community structure. It will be the first study of this nature on small mammals in the Western Cape Province and possibly the first in South Africa