Abstract
Recent declines in invertebrates are linked to anthropogenic global change drivers thus land use planning that considers invertebrate conservation is necessary. Although most animals are invertebrates, conservation initiatives largely ignore these groups in part because of a paucity of studies addressing their diversity patterns. Biosphere Reserves provide an holistic approach to conservation planning. Here we explore the covariates that underlie beetle and spider diversity across the largest Biosphere Reserve in South Africa and use this model to predict compositional turnover across the reserve using Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM). We then use these patterns to assess the proportion of the ecological environments, scaled using beetle and spider assemblages, that is included in either core or buffer zones. The GDM model explained 53% of the variation in observed compositional turnover. Important local-scale drivers of turnover were leaf litter and organic content of the soil, while broad-scale co-variables were isothermality and mean diurnal range. Buffer zones increased conservation coverage by between 50 and 100%, depending on the planning scenario involved and complimented regional conservation plans. However, local conservation practices rarely reflect that of regional planning exercises, and initiatives should focus on monitoring compliance that considers both landscape and local processes.
Implications for insect conservation
Conservation efforts should not only focus on core areas in Biosphere Reserves. Managing buffer zones must receive similar if not more attention due to the larger anthropogenic footprint.
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Acknowledgements
We are particularly grateful to all landowners who allowed us to work on their properties. We acknowledge the SARChI Chair for Biodiversity and Change and Directorate for Research and Research Innovation at the University of Venda for logistic and financial support. We are very grateful to Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ruth Muller and Adrian Davis for species identification. We thank Michelle Hamer, Dawn Corey Toussaint and Danie Booyens for providing insights and support during this study.
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Specimens were collected on permit no. CPM-005-00005, provided by Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. The research leading to these results received funding from the University of Venda Research and Publications Committee under grant no P109. The authors declare they have no financial interests.
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Map showing (a) localities referred to in text including the Soutpansberg mountain range and the Limpopo Valley, and (b) sites (black dots) within vegetation units (illustrated in different colours) in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR), Limpopo Province, South Africa. Makhado Sweet Bushveld (3 sites), Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld (4 sites), Northern Mistbelt Forest (4 sites), Roodeberg Bushveld (2 sites), Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld (4 sites), Musina Mopane Bushveld (2 sites), and Limpopo Ridge Bushveld (1 site)
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Schoeman, C.S., Foord, S.H. Buffer zones maximize invertebrate conservation in a Biosphere Reserve. J Insect Conserv 25, 597–609 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-021-00326-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-021-00326-7