Comparison of termite assemblages along a land use gradient on peat areas in Sarawak Malaysia


Citation

Kaliang H., . and Verwer C., . and Van der Meer P. J., . and Vaessen T., . and Demies M., . Comparison of termite assemblages along a land use gradient on peat areas in Sarawak Malaysia. pp. 196-203. ISSN 0128-1283

Abstract

In this study we assessed the species density and relative abundance of termites in peat land in Sarawak Malaysia. Termites were sampled in near-natural peat swamp forest logged-over peat swamp forest young oil palm plantation and a cleared and burned site. Species density and relative abundance were calculated for each site. Both species density and relative abundance differed significantly between sites. Near-natural peat swamp forest had the highest termite density followed by logged-over peat swamp forest young oil palm plantation and the cleared site. In contrast the relative abundance of termites was highest in the young oil palm plantation due to the omnipresent genus Schedorhinotermes. Most of the species found in the cleared site and young oil palm plantation did not occur at the other sites. We conclude that ongoing forest degradation and conversion in tropical peat land result in shifting termite assemblages and declining species density. Species that originally occur at low densities in peat swamp forests are typically lost as a result of peat swamp forest conversion.


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Abstract

In this study we assessed the species density and relative abundance of termites in peat land in Sarawak Malaysia. Termites were sampled in near-natural peat swamp forest logged-over peat swamp forest young oil palm plantation and a cleared and burned site. Species density and relative abundance were calculated for each site. Both species density and relative abundance differed significantly between sites. Near-natural peat swamp forest had the highest termite density followed by logged-over peat swamp forest young oil palm plantation and the cleared site. In contrast the relative abundance of termites was highest in the young oil palm plantation due to the omnipresent genus Schedorhinotermes. Most of the species found in the cleared site and young oil palm plantation did not occur at the other sites. We conclude that ongoing forest degradation and conversion in tropical peat land result in shifting termite assemblages and declining species density. Species that originally occur at low densities in peat swamp forests are typically lost as a result of peat swamp forest conversion.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Termites
AGROVOC Term: Peat soils
AGROVOC Term: Termitidae
AGROVOC Term: Oil palm
AGROVOC Term: Feeding
AGROVOC Term: Nesting
AGROVOC Term: Swamps
AGROVOC Term: Environmental degradation
AGROVOC Term: Isoptera
AGROVOC Term: Anthropogenic influence
Geographical Term: Malaysia
Depositing User: Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified: 26 Apr 2025 14:20
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21451

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