Volume 26 (2020) Article 20

Invertebrate communities in a modified isolated raised bog compared to an intact raised bog in New Zealand

by C.H. Watts, B.R. Clarkson, V.M. Cave, D. Thornburrow, S. Thorpe

Published online: 1.07.2020

Summary

The effect of modifying New Zealand’s threatened peat bogs on invertebrate communities is poorly known, despite their susceptibility to disturbance and their ecological significance. Using Malaise traps, we surveyed and compared terrestrial invertebrates in a remnant modified bog (Moanatuatua) isolated in an agricultural landscape and a community in an intact large bog (Kopuatai) in New Zealand. On average, more invertebrates were caught in the modified bog than in the intact bog. In addition, observed mean abundances for Diptera were higher at the modified bog. In contrast, total and geometric mean abundance of Coleoptera was significantly lower in the modified bog compared to the intact bog. We found no evidence of differences in species richness of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera between the two bogs. Introduced species were more common in the modified bog. Ordination results indicated a difference in invertebrate community composition between the two bogs, and in addition the modified bog plots separated according to their distance from the wetland edge. Our results indicate that, within a modified isolated bog, native invertebrates can survive, and that some specialised and threatened species can thrive. However, the lower proportion of native Diptera and Lepidoptera taxa abundance in the modified bog is reason for concern.

Citation

Watts, C.H., Clarkson, B.R., Cave, V.M., Thornburrow, D., Thorpe, S. (2020) Invertebrate communities in a modified isolated raised bog compared to an intact raised bog in New Zealand. Mires and Peat, 26, 20, 12pp. (Online: http://www.mires-and-peat.net/pages/volumes/map26/map2620.php); doi: 10.19189/MaP.2019.MEH.StA.1879

Reviewers

IMCG and IPS acknowledge the work of the reviewers.