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Title:
Impact of agave invasion on the azufaifar terrestrial coleoptera community
Author:
Geliana J. Aranguren López.
Publication date:
2017
Abstract:
In the eolic-coastal plains of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, Ziziphus lotus is founded. This species is an ecosystem engineer of a habitat which is considered Site of Community Importance, and it could be be negatively affected by the presence of several crops of sisal (Agave sisalana) and henequen (Agave fourcroydes) made in the mid-fifties. Z. lotus creates fertility islands where different species find shelter. Our study is focused on the richness and diversity diversity of Coleoptera order in the area being studied. The trapping method consisted of pitfall traps, next the individuals were identified and separated in genus to determine determine the difference of the populations between the areas studied. The samples were collected in environments where the invasive species are present and in those where there has been no
anthrophic modification. The aim was to determined if the two species of agaves are changing the biodiversity and the functioning of the azufaifar ecosystem. The results shown a clear differentiation between the invaded areas and those without it. As a conclusion, the presence of agave affects the abundance in azufaifar areas in sand and both diversity and abundance in azufaifar areas in quaternary crust.
Keywords: Agave fourcroydes, Agave sisalana, biodiversity, Coleoptera, diversity, invasive species, pitfall, richness, Site of Community Importance, Ziziphus lotus.