Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of vegetation and sampling method on arthropod assemblages in Nduli Nature Reserve, located in King Sabata Dalindyebo (K.S.D) Local Municipality. Four vegetation sites comprising of Natural forest, Grassland savanna, Vleis and Marshland were selected a priori and arthropods were sampled within 20 mē quadrants at each site using yellow pan traps, sweep net and line transects. A total of 18 orders, 571 arthropod individuals and 226 morphospecies were collected. The highest number of arthropod catch was recorded in Vleis, followed by Forest, Marshland and Grassland. Most arthropods were sampled in pan traps, followed by sweep net and line transects method. ANOVA results of arthropod distribution trends across sampling sites showed that there were no statistically significant differences in their abundance (P>0.05), even though graphical illustrations indicated that there were differences. Furthermore, ANOVA results of arthropod abundance and morphospecies richness, across sampling methods at the different vegetation sites were statistically significant (P<0.05). In conclusion, the study illustrated that vegetation cover and sampling method had an effect on arthropod assemblage composition and distribution patterns. However there is need to further investigate the role of site variables (biotic and or anthropogenic) in explaining arthropod assemblage distribution patterns in Nduli Nature Reserve over a larger spatial scale

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