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Biodiversity and Conservation

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16-09-2020 | Original Paper

Abandoned fields and high plant diversity support high spider diversity within an agricultural mosaic in a biodiversity hotspot

Authors: K. Jurie Theron, René Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways

Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation | Issue 13/2020

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Abstract

Protected areas alone cannot conserve all biodiversity; we must also conserve biodiversity within production landscapes. Little is known about spider diversity in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) biodiversity hotspot and factors driving spider diversity in transformed landscapes. Here, we assess spatial patterns of spiders in different transformed biotopes bordering remnant fynbos natural vegetation patches, determine direction of associated edge effects, and identify environmental factors influencing spider local distribution. Spiders were sampled along replicated transects running from remnant patches into three different transformed biotopes: old-fields (abandoned farmland), vineyards, and alien tree plantations. Spider Shannon diversity within old-fields and plantations did not differ from remnant patches, which had the highest diversity, whereas vineyards had the lowest. Overall, spider diversity was consistently high around habitat boundaries, regardless of land use type. Vineyards showed sharp declines in spider diversity along the remnant-vineyard transect, compared to other transects. Spider assemblages within vineyards was significantly different compared to remnant patches and old-fields, whereas other land-uses showed greater similarity. Plant species richness within the transformed biotope core increased overall spider diversity, benefiting plant-dwelling assemblages, but negatively influencing ground-dwelling assemblages. Herbaceous plant cover was driving assemblages within vineyards, whereas Restionaceae plant cover drove assemblages within old-fields. Furthermore, amount of natural vegetation in the landscape influenced spider assemblages within transformed biotopes. Our results show that old-fields have great potential to increase structural and functional connectivity within agricultural mosaics, and their rehabilitation is recommended. Furthermore, increasing plant diversity throughout the transformed landscape can soften the landscape and benefit spider diversity.

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Title: Abandoned fields and high plant diversity support high spider diversity within an agricultural mosaic in a biodiversity hotspot
Authors: K. Jurie Theron
René Gaigher
James S. Pryke
Michael J. Samways
Publication date: 16-09-2020
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation / Issue 13/2020
Print ISSN: 0960-3115
Electronic ISSN: 1572-9710
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-02048-9

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