| Research has consistently pointed to human actions,particularly the spread of agroecosystems,as the primary driver of species extinction.Typically,the disappearance of biodiversity results in a decline in ecosystem services.However,the specific reactions may vary depending on the details of the land-use shift and the surrounding ecological context.The aim of the study is measured the impact of land-use type and ecosystem functions on the ant assemblage of Rashad District,Sudan.However,the study has three specific objectives: 1.To determine how the conversion of native vegetation affects the richness and composition of ant species based on the type of land use,2.To evaluate the rates of biomass removal by ants from unique resources between native and agricultural ecosystems and 3.To assess the predation rates of Belenois solilucis eggs and the impact of the land use type around the properties on these rates.The main results of the experiments are as follows:1.We analysed the effects of three different land uses(soy monoculture,pasture and organic production of vegetables)on the ant community by assessing ant composition in 69 different locations.The collection sites were conventional soy monoculture,pastures,organic agriculture,and native vegetation such as Campo,Kubos,and forests.I recorded 264 ant species on the soil surface of the Rashad District,where 342 to 354 species were thought to exist.Pastures and organic agriculture areas have 61% and 56% of the native myrmecofauna,respectively,while conventional soy monoculture areas are home to only 17% of native ant species.Forest areas present a unique community,and soy monoculture areas have the strongest pattern of biotic homogenisation.I also detected that rare species(of low frequency)were the chief promoters of richness in the Rashad District,and the most threatened with local extinction,due to their low density and low occurrence in agrosystems.2.We sampled three transects from(the Rashad district).Each sampling plot consisted of a grid of 12 pitfall traps filled with sardine baits(simulating animal organisms)and bananas(as attractive vegetable resources).In addition,grass seeds(Sorghum bicolor)were applied in both natural(Campo,Kubos,and forest)and agricultural settings(soy monoculture,pastures,and organic agriculture).The Results showed that ant’s removal was highest in sardine with an average of 87.3g(σ ± 23.8),followed by banana(average of 70.5g,σ ± 31.5)and lowest in the seed(mean of 7.8g,σ ± 7.3)(highest p = 0.017).Only the soy monoculture regions showed the lowest levels of sardine removed,indicating an effect associated with the kind of land use.Because little biomass is eliminated in both natural and agricultural settings,no effect of the seeds bait has been observed.3.An experiment involving predation tests on Belenois solilucis eggs and fauna sampling were conducted in 18 areas of organic agriculture in the Rashad District.The study showed that ants could reduce the eggs population by 26.8% per day.At the same time,other predator taxa,primarily Coleoptera,from Coccinellidae and Staphylinidae families,removed only 13% of the eggs.Ant species with the most significant recruiting power were Axinidris acholli,Tapinoma carininotum,and Technomyrmex moerens.Ant genera such as Linepithema,Dorymyrmex,and Camponotus ants were also frequently observed. |
PDF Full Text Request