Study on Insect Diversity of Menagesha Forest and Bihere Tsige Public Park in Wet and Dry Seasons Using Sweeping Net
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Menagesha forest and Bihere Tsige Public Park contain diverse forms of insects. The
diversity, distribution, frequency, abundance and habitat association of these insects
were investigated using quadrate and transect walk methods during the wet and dry
seasons.
The presence of 33 families of insects in Menagesha forest and 35 families in Bihere
Tsige Public Park were recorded. In wet season more evenness and diversity were
observed in the natural Menagesha forest. In the dry season, maximum insect diversity
and evenness was recorded in the artificial Menagesha forest. Flowers and grass mixed
vegetation of the park has the highest insect diversity and mixed vegetation of the park
had the highest evenness in the wet season. Highest diversity of the park’s dry season was
found in grassland habitats, while high evenness was recorded in mixed vegetation.
Based on Simpson’s similarity index, the highest similarity was observed between natural
and artificial habitats of the forest. Flower and grass mixed vegetation and grassland
vegetation showed the highest similarity in the park. Grassland in the park and artificial
forest in the forest showed the highest Margalefs Richness Index value.
SPSS analysis showed that the highest habitat association was recorded for grassland
habitats in both seasons in the forest. In the wet season, the highest habitat association
was recorded in grassland habitat of the park. In the dry season, insects showed no
association to any of the habitats. T test results for insect diversity revealed no
significance difference between seasons and intra-seasons in the park and the forest.
Abundance of food, species of vegetation, stability of the habitats and human activities
determined insect diversity at the study areas. Investment activities were determintal to
the insect diversity in the forest.
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Biology