Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region
Abstract Crawling insects play critical roles in ecosystem functioning, yet their diversity and public perception in urban African landscapes remain underexplored. This study assessed the abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land-use types (dumpsites, natural...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00111-9 |
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| author | Naza Emanuel Mmbaga John Asante Johnson Happiness Jackson Nnko Stanslaus Terengia Materu |
| author_facet | Naza Emanuel Mmbaga John Asante Johnson Happiness Jackson Nnko Stanslaus Terengia Materu |
| author_sort | Naza Emanuel Mmbaga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Crawling insects play critical roles in ecosystem functioning, yet their diversity and public perception in urban African landscapes remain underexplored. This study assessed the abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land-use types (dumpsites, natural vegetation, near buildings, near roads, planted vegetation) at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. Using pitfall traps, sticky traps, and direct picking, we collected 2,345 insects, primarily Hymenoptera (81.84%, Monomorium minimum dominant, Berger-Parker d = 0.31). Dumpsites and near buildings showed the highest species richness (S = 9–12, Margalef’s d = 1.33–1.80) and diversity (Shannon H = 1.92–2.00), with Pheidole megacephala and Odontotaenius disjunctus as key indicators (IndVal > 0.70). Community awareness was high for pest species (100% for cockroaches, ants, termites) but low for beneficial roles (42% for food source, 0% for ornamental use). These findings highlight land-use impacts on insect biodiversity and gaps in public knowledge, recommending green infrastructure and educational programs for conservation in urban African landscapes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f03cbc5ff98844dfa14d38f7c3f6c2fe |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 3004-894X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-f03cbc5ff98844dfa14d38f7c3f6c2fe2025-08-20T03:06:43ZengSpringerDiscover Animals3004-894X2025-08-012111410.1007/s44338-025-00111-9Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid regionNaza Emanuel Mmbaga0John Asante Johnson1Happiness Jackson Nnko2Stanslaus Terengia Materu3Department of Biology, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of DodomaDepartment of Biology, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of DodomaDepartment of Biology, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of DodomaDepartment of Water Resource and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture, Sokoine University of AgricultureAbstract Crawling insects play critical roles in ecosystem functioning, yet their diversity and public perception in urban African landscapes remain underexplored. This study assessed the abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land-use types (dumpsites, natural vegetation, near buildings, near roads, planted vegetation) at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. Using pitfall traps, sticky traps, and direct picking, we collected 2,345 insects, primarily Hymenoptera (81.84%, Monomorium minimum dominant, Berger-Parker d = 0.31). Dumpsites and near buildings showed the highest species richness (S = 9–12, Margalef’s d = 1.33–1.80) and diversity (Shannon H = 1.92–2.00), with Pheidole megacephala and Odontotaenius disjunctus as key indicators (IndVal > 0.70). Community awareness was high for pest species (100% for cockroaches, ants, termites) but low for beneficial roles (42% for food source, 0% for ornamental use). These findings highlight land-use impacts on insect biodiversity and gaps in public knowledge, recommending green infrastructure and educational programs for conservation in urban African landscapes.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00111-9BiodiversityCommunity knowledgeInsects ecologyLand use patternsUrban ecology |
| spellingShingle | Naza Emanuel Mmbaga John Asante Johnson Happiness Jackson Nnko Stanslaus Terengia Materu Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region Discover Animals Biodiversity Community knowledge Insects ecology Land use patterns Urban ecology |
| title | Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region |
| title_full | Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region |
| title_fullStr | Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region |
| title_short | Abundance, diversity, and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi-arid region |
| title_sort | abundance diversity and community awareness of crawling insects across five land use types in a semi arid region |
| topic | Biodiversity Community knowledge Insects ecology Land use patterns Urban ecology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00111-9 |
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