Use of ecoacoustics to determine biodiversity patterns across ecological gradients.
The variety of local animal sounds characterizes a landscape. We used ecoacoustics to noninvasively assess the species richness of various biotopes typical of an ecofriendly forest plantation with diverse ecological gradients and both nonnative and indigenous vegetation. The reference area was an adjacent large World Heritage Site protected area (PA). All sites were in a global biodiversity hotspot. Our results showed how taxa segregated into various biotopes. We identified 65 singing species, including birds, frogs, crickets, and katydids. Large, natural, protected grassland sites in the PA had the highest mean acoustic diversity (14.1 species/site). Areas covered in nonnative timber or grass species were devoid of acoustic species. Sites grazed by native and domestic megaherbivores were fairly rich (5.1) in acoustic species but none were unique to this habitat type, where acoustic diversity was greater than in intensively managed grassland sites (0.04). Natural vegetation patches inside the plantation mosaic supported high mean acoustic diversity (indigenous forests 7.6, grasslands 8.0, wetlands 9.1), which increased as plant heterogeneity and patch size increased. Indigenous forest patches within the plantation mosaic contained a highly characteristic acoustic species assemblage, emphasizing their complementary contribution to local biodiversity. Overall, acoustic signals determined spatial biodiversity patterns and can be a useful tool for guiding conservation.
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602, South Africa. pbcgrant@hotmail.com.
Paul B C
PB
Grant
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
Michael J
MJ
Samways
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D065948:Grassland
biodiversity assessment; conservación de insectos; ecological networks; ecología del paisaje sonoro; insect conservation; landscape mosaics; mosaicos de paisaje; protected areas; redes ecológicas; soundscape ecology; valoración de la biodiversidad; áreas protegidas