Browsing by Author "Lemmens, Pieter"

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A comparison of aquatic macroinvertebrate and large branchiopod community composition between temporary pans of a conservation area and surrounding communal area in South Africa
(Taylor & Francis Online, 2020-03-08) Brendonck, Luc; de Necker, Lizaan; Wepener, Victor; Smith, Nico J.; Pinceel, Tom; Mwaijengo, Grite Nelson; Lemmens, Pieter; Dube, Trevor
Although temporary wetlands are often biodiversity hotspots that deliver multiple ecosystem services, they are also threatened by human exploitation. We conducted a comparative field study to investigate the impact of reserve protection on the diversity and community structure of aquatic macroinvertebrates of temporary wetlands (pans) in South Africa. Specifically, we compared the diversity and community composition of macroinvertebrates with a special focus on large branchiopod crustaceans in pans of a protected nature reserve (Ndumo Game Reserve) with that of pans in the surrounding anthropogenically disturbed area (Ndumo Communal Area). Our results show that reserve protection has a significant positive effect on the diversity and community structure of the aquatic macroinvertebrates. The taxon diversity for macroinvertebrates in general and large branchiopods in particular was significantly higher in the Ndumo Game Reserve, compared with the Ndumo Communal Area. Overall, our results illustrate the need for continued protection of reserve areas and pans in this tropical region in South Africa for the conservation of macroinvertebrate species.
Large branchiopod occurrence and community structure in relation to land-use types in temporary ponds of northern Tanzania
(Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2023-02-14) Kafula, Yusuph; Mataba, Gordian; Mwaijengo, Grite; Lemmens, Pieter; Munishi, Linus; Moyo, Francis; Dube, Trevor; Vanschoenwinkel, Bram; Brendonck, Luc
Large branchiopods are a key component of the fauna of temporary ponds and play an important role in the functioning of these vulnerable ecosystems. Owing to the establishment of new settlements and agricultural expansion, temporary ponds in Tanzania are disappearing at an alarming rate whilst little is known about their diversity and ecology. We contrasted temporary ponds from a protected area with those in communal lands to detect associations between land-use types and large branchiopod community structure. Six large branchiopod species were collected, five of which have been previously reported from Southern Africa, whilst one turned out to be new to science: Streptocephalus manyarensis n.sp. Kafula and Brendonck (2023). The clam shrimp Cyzicus sp., fairy shrimps Streptocephalus lamellifer Thiele (1900) and S. bourquinii Hamer and Appleton (1993) were the most abundant and widely occurring. Variation in large branchiopod community structure was explained by the presence of Nothobranchius killifish and orthophosphate concentration. The large branchiopod community structure was different in settlement and protected areas. Our study on the occurrence and structure of large branchiopod communities in relation to land-use types serves as a base for formulation of guidelines and management tools to regulate land-use practices adjacent to temporary pond ecosystems.