Assessing dung beetle community between Interior and forest edge in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve

Abdul Halim, Nur Alia Athirah (2024) Assessing dung beetle community between Interior and forest edge in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPAS 2024 8.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Forest edge resulting from forest fragmentation has a different environmental condition compared to the interior of the forest, and it has the potential to influence the diversity and abundance of dung beetles. Dung beetles, also known as Scarabs, belong to the Scarabaeidae family and are recognized for their unique ecological role. They serve as significant indicators of ecosystem health and disturbance in forest areas. This study aims to assess the dung beetle community and their habitat preferences in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve using passive sampling methods with horse dung bait pitfall traps. The study design employed systematic sampling with random start points, with distance of ≥50 meters for each point. Overall, a total of 129 dung beetle species from five genera; Copris, Ochicanthon, Sisyphus, Onthophagus, and Paragymnopleurus; were successfully captured from both the interior and edge of the forest. The results indicate that higher species diversity and abundance of dung beetles are found in the interior of the forest compared to the forest edge, with Onthophagus vulpes and Sisyphus thoracicus dominating. The study also suggests that the diversity and abundance of dung beetles are influenced by different environmental conditions. Therefore, dung beetle species can be highlighted as indicators for the forest ecosystem under varying environmental conditions.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Fakulti Perhutanan dan Alam Sekitar
Depositing User:	Ms. ROHANA ALIAS
Date Deposited:	13 May 2024 01:03
Last Modified:	01 Aug 2024 08:23
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1756

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