ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 6153
Poster No. = 2545


SUCCESSION ACROSS COASTAL DUNES: FANUAL PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE MTUNZINI DUNES, SOUTH AFRICA


G. I. H. Kerley & A. McLachlan (Department of Zoology, University of Port Elizabeth, PO Box 1600, Port Elizabeth 6000, South Africa)


We studied faunal patterns and faunally-mediated processes on a dune chronosequence. Pioneer, transition, thicket, and forest zones occur. Nematode and ant diversity decreased from the pioneer to forest zones. Dung-beetle and bird diversity increased from the pioneer to forest zones. Rodents showed no clear pattern. Her bivory increased, while granivory and dung removal decreased from the pioneer to the forest zones. Funal communities and processes do not all increase in diver sity or importance from pioneer to climax communities. Clementsian succession focuses on the facilitation habitat alterations by plants. Faunal focus suggest that the patterns are not that simple, and animals may play an important role succession.


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