Spiders as surrogate species in ecological monitoring, habitat classification and reserve selection : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Ecology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2001
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Massey University
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Abstract
The use of invertebrates in the monitoring of terrestrial ecosystems was investigated using spiders as a focal group. In a review of previous literature, spiders were found to meet the majority of criteria required of suitable ecological indicators, including high diversity and abundance, a widespread distribution, easy sampling and sorting, relatively low random fluctuation in population sizes and community composition, a range of dispersal abilities, measurable response to habitat change and representation of other taxa. The main weaknesses of spiders as ecological indicators were the lack of taxonomic expertise and sparse knowledge of baseline biology. However, these disadvantages could be rectified and it was concluded that spiders are suitable for further investigation as ecological indicators, involving field trials and hypothesis testing. The spider communities in the litter, herb and shrub layer of eight sites representing four habitat types within a forest successional series were sampled in Pouiatoa State Forest in Northern Taranaki. There were no distinct trends in spider richness or abundance across the successional series. However, spider species and family composition both reflected the successional stage from which they were taken. Site classifications using DCA and cluster analysis were similar when using either plant or spider data. Spider communities demonstrated potential for use in habitat classification of terrestrial ecosystems. Spiders and seven other ground-active invertebrate groups were sampled with pitfall traps from fourteen forest remnants within the Rangitikei Ecological Region to test whether spiders were able to act as indicators of plant and invertebrate diversity. Within-site richness (α-diversity) of spiders was strongly correlated with that of all other invertebrates combined, but spiders were not good predictors of between-site richness (²- diversity) of all other invertebrates. Correlation between the α- and β-diversities of plants and invertebrates were low, indicating that maximising plant diversity in reserve selection might not maximise invertebrate diversity. It is recommended that ground-active invertebrates be included in surveys of potential forest reserves. Spiders are a useful surrogate group for invertebrate communities and could be more widely used in the assessment, monitoring and management of terrestrial ecosystems.
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New Zealand, Spiders -- Ecology, Indicators (Biology), Environmental monitoring, Pouiatoa State Forest, Rangitikei District