The role of mosaicity of the post-agriculture area of the Kampinos National Park in determining the diversity of species of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Abstract

Abstract. From 2000 to 2006 a total of 52 CPUE samples of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) were collected in the mosaic landscape of the Kampinos National Park (Poland), which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The hypothesis tested was that both pompilid species richness and abundance is positively associated with spatial heterogeneity. The patterns in spider wasp assemblages were identified using a Kohonen artificial neural network (i.e., self-organizing map). The highest numbers and greatest species richness of pompilids were recorded at sites in open habitats, especially those located on dry soils that are the preferred nesting sites of ground nesting (endogeic) spider wasps. However, pompilid distribution depended not only on the character of a sampling site, but also its location in a mosaic of habitats. The highest values of pompilid abundance and species richness were also recorded at sites surrounded by several different habitats. Both parameters were lower at sites in more homogenous areas, where there were fewer habitats within the flight ranges of spider wasps. A group of three "cultural species" (Agenioideus cinctellus, A. sericeus and Auplopus carbonarius) was identified that is significantly associated with wooden buildings. The results of this study are thus consistent with the concept that habitat heterogeneity enhances faunal diversity, as each type of habitat, including anthropogenic ones, potentially contributes to a wider range of available resources.

Factors influencing the diversity of cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera:Chrysididae) in the post‐agriculture area of theKampinosNationalPark,Poland

“…; Table ). The high species diversity of aculeates has been already reported for different types of anthropogenic habitats including wooden and clay buildings (Banaszak, ; Rosa, , ; Bennett et al ., ; Szczepko et al ., ).…”

“…The presence of a more diverse neighbourhood could increase the availability of pollen and nectar, hosts and refuges from disturbances including over‐wintering sites (Dunning et al ., ; Tscharntke et al ., , , ; Weibull et al ., ; Steffan‐Dewenter, ; Steffan‐Dewenter et al ., ). A number of authors have reported similar effects of the surrounding matrix with moths (Ricketts et al ., ), butterflies (Ricketts, ; Tscharntke et al ., ), plant‐hoppers (Haynes & Cronin, ), flea beetles (Jonsen et al ., ), trap‐nesting bees and wasps (Steffan‐Dewenter, ), and spider wasps (Szczepko et al ., ). A good example is the species richness of sphecid wasps in moist meadows in Hungary, which also depends on the heterogeneity of the surrounding landscape rather than the conditions in the meadows sampled: a higher number of species was recorded in meadows surrounded by dry sandy hills covered with flowering plants than in a meadow with neighbouring habitats having heavier soils (Benedek, ).…”

“…The above differences in the quality of habitats exploited by chrysidids were reflected in the number of their species with significant maximum IndVal in a particular sub‐cluster – highest in AB 1 , AB 2, and CD 1 (four, seven, and five species, respectively) and lowest (no such species) in CD 2 . The number of such species may serve as a bio‐indicator of environmental quality for a given group of animals (Oertli et al ., ; Szczepko et al ., ), because a significant maximum IndVal indicates a clear preference for habitats associated with a given sub‐cluster. For most species the habitat preferences revealed in this study are congruent with the literature but for some they are different.…”

“…More information on Kohonen ANNs can be found in other papers on invertebrate ecology (Chon et al ., ; Park et al ., ; Lek et al ., ; Penczak et al ., ; Lek‐Ang et al ., ; Ruggiero et al ., ; Tszydel et al ., ), including those on hymenopterans like ants (Groc et al ., ; Delabie et al ., ) or social and spider wasps (Corbara et al ., ; Szczepko et al ., ). To our knowledge, no studies of patterns in cuckoo wasp assemblages recognised by using ANNs have previously been published.…”

Application of a Kohonen's self‐organizing map for evaluation of long‐term changes in forest vegetation

“…In many cases this contributed to the incompatibility of pine tree stands with the habitat. It distinguishes species significantly associated with a phytocoenosis at a specific time, which can then be used to observe succession‐related transformations of a forest community; it has been proven that the IndVal is especially effective in this respect when applied to organisms lacking the ability to actively move (Penczak ), It provides information on the habitat preferences of species, which may be useful for their protection in nature reserves (Szczepko et al. ), The comparison of ecological indicators for vascular plants between sub‐clusters of PRs distinguished by SOM helps to indicate the crucial abiotic factors shaping the plant communities.…”