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sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Grasshoppers of azonal riparian corridors and their response to land transformation in the Cape Floristic Region

Auteur : Pronk, Bianca Mignon

Université de soutenance : Stellenbosch University

Grade : Master of Science (MS) 2016

Présentation
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a global biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism across many taxa, including Orthoptera. Azonal vegetation, a much forgotten component of the CFR, is a unique vegetation type that forms part of the riparian corridor. This is a complex, unique and diverse ecosystem with high levels of local biodiversity that connects the aquatic and terrestrial realms. The riparian corridor is highly disturbed through anthropogenic activities and invasion by alien vegetation causing deterioration of riparian corridors. Most natural riparian corridors are now confined to the mountainous slopes and higher elevations. Grasshopper assemblages are good bioindicators of environmental change and habitat deterioration. In response to this I determined the grasshopper assemblage which characterizes the natural riparian and adjacent terrestrial zone and their dispersion across the two zones. I also investigated how grasshoppers respond to riparian corridor disturbances (land transformation) and if they are viable candidates for bioindication of riparian corridors

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