Studies on the Insect Fauna Diversity Atgullele Botanical Garden in Wet, Intermedaite and Dry Seasons
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Gullele Botanic Garden contains diverse types of insects. The diversity,
distribution, frequency, density, abundance and habitat association of these insects were
investigated using 60 quadrants which is located at different habitat types and transect
walk methods during the wet, intermediate and dry seasons. The mean comparisons of
Gullele Botanic Garden showed that the presence of insects in large quantity both in wet
seasons and natural habitats. From the total of 7593 insects collected, 64 families of
insects in Gullele Botanic Garden were recorded. In all seasons more evenness and
diversity of insects were observed in the natural forest habitat. On the other hand, the
least evenness and diversity of insects were observed in artificial forest habitats in all
seasons. In the dry season, the minimum insect diversity and evenness was recorded in all
forest habitats of Gullele Botanic Garden. Based on jaccard's similarity index, the highest
similarity was observed between grassland forest habitat and mixed forest habitats in
Gullele Botanic Garden. On the other hand, the lowest similarity was observed between
mixed forest habitat and artificial forest habitat. Natural forest habitat in Gullele Botanic
Garden showed the highest Margalef’s Richness Index value. The result of ch-square
analysis showed that the highest habitat association was recorded in grassland habitat in
wet and dry seasons, and mixed forest habitat in intermediate season. T test and analysis
of variance (Anova) results for insect diversity revealed the presence of significance
difference (variation) between seasons in Gullele Botanic Garden. Abundance of food,
species of vegetation, and stability of the habitats, animal grazing and human activities
determined insect diversity at the study areas. Investment activities and human settlement
inside had the most detrimental effect to the insect diversity in the garden. During data
collection in Gullele Botanic Garden, carefully observation showed that insects had both
positive and negative effects for humans, plants, animals and insects.
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Biology