Effect of habitat type on pollinator diversity
Author of the article:WANG Yi, HU Xue-Feng, SONG Huai-Lei, ZHOU Qing-Song, WU Qing-Tao, KONG Wei-Na, ZHU Chao-Dong, LI Jie
Author's Workplace:College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
Key Words:habitat; biodiversity; pollinator insects; forest habitat; orchard habitat
Abstract:[Objectives] To measure the
diversity of pollinators in different habitat types. [Methods] Pollinator
diversity was measured in a typical forest habitat (Zhongtiao mountains,
Qinshui county) and a montane orchard (pear orchard, Xi county) with Malaise
traps. [Results] A
total of 7 090 pollinators were trapped in the forest habitat and 8 817
in the pear orchard habitat. Although more individual pollinators were trapped
in the pear orchard than in the forest habitat, the latter had twice as many
species. The similarity coefficient was 0.362 2, which indicates moderate
unlikeness. The Formicieae and Cecidomyiidae were the dominant families in both
habitats, but there were some habitat-specific dominant and common groups. The
Diversity, Evenness and Richness indices of the forest habitat were
significantly higher than those of the pear orchard, but the Dominant
concentration and Dominance index were significantly lower. [Conclusion] More species of pollinators were found in a
forest habitat than in a pear orchard, and the forest pollinator community was
more complex and uniform than that of the pear orchard where species were more
concentrated. Increasing the diversity of vegetation in agricultural habitats
could increase pollinator diversity and thereby promote more sustainable
agriculture.