Naslov
Monitoring of subterranean habitats through abundance of troglobiotic terrestrial isopods

Autori
Bedek, Jana ; Dražina, Tvrtko

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstract Book of the 10th International Symposium on Terrestrial Isopod Biology / - Budimpešta, 2017, 13-14

ISBN
978-963-87343-9-6

Skup
10th International Symposium on Terrestrial Isopod Biology

Mjesto i datum
Budimpešta, Mađarska, 27.08.2017. - 30.08.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
microclimate change, Dinaric Karst, Natura 2000 habitat types

Sažetak
Monitoring of subterranean habitats is relatively complex due to small subterranean populations, heterogeneous habitats and limited faunistic data, both from taxonomical and ecological point of view. In order to establish monitoring protocols for strictly protected subterranean species (Nature Protection Act, NN 70/05) and habitat types 8310 Caves not open to public and 8330 Submerged or partially submerged sea caves of the Habitats Directive (79/409/EEC), different monitoring methods have been tested. The research has been carried out during two years in 14 different caves of the Šibenik – Knin County including National Park Krka in Croatia. Many different habitats were covered, both terrestrial and aquatic, with different level of human disturbance. Terrestrial isopods play major role in cave food web as important prey of very diverse predators of the Dinaric Karst. They are one of the most abundant animal groups in subterranean habitats. Their sensitivity to microclimate conditions, especially relative air humidity, is reported in different studies. Due to all that and relatively large body size they could be potentially used as a target group for monitoring of subterranean habitats. During the conducted research, two main methodologies have been applied, the biodiversity census in the whole (small) cave, and on the 1x1 m2 plots in the large caves. Cave climate data were recorded using data loggers for relative humidity and air temperature. Using both methods large data sets were collected, enabling statistical analyses. The specimen abundance in small caves show seasonal variability, as well as in habitats heavily influenced by bat colonies. Contrary, in stabile subterranean habitats located deeper in the caves with minor seasonal oscillation of air temperature and relative humidity no variability in specimen abundance were recorded, as expected. The results show that terrestrial isopods could be good target group to monitor subterranean habitats in regards to microclimatic changes within a cave due to cave exploitation such as touristic, or potentially in order to monitor influence of global climate changes. But in order to monitor influence of contamination to cave habitats, more research of troglobiotic isopod tolerance to pollution should be conducted.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

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