Comparison of Arthropod Diversity between Perennial Shrub versus Evergreen Tree Habitats at Sites Near Gothic, CO

Abstract

There are numerous species of organisms that live in woody vegetation. Their species diversity will be equal to the total number of species and their relative abundance. This study compared the species diversity of arthropods between perennial shrubs and evergreen trees. I hypothesized that a larger surface area found in the perennial shrubs would provide more niches for the arthropods to utilize, giving them greater species richness. Five different sites for each vegetation class located near Gothic, Colorado were selected. Large willows were selected and measured in order to equalize the area of conifer being sampled. Two trees were sampled per vegetation class, by using a beat-sheet to collect arthropods and beating the vegetation for a total of two minutes. All specimens collected were sorted and identified to morpho-species. The Shannon Diversity Index analysis demonstrated that there was a significant difference in species diversity between the two vegetation classes. The number of species in the conifers was greater than willows. Statistical analysis by an ANOVA test, also demonstrated that there is significant difference between the number of species between conifers and willows, conifers having lager numbers of species and greater abundance abundance.

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