Diversity in Terrestrial Cave Communities
Poulson TL and Culver DC. 1969. Diversity in Terrestrial Cave Communities. Ecology. 50(1):153-158
"Local species diversity of terrestrial arthropods was determined from a combination of trapping and census in an area of variable passage type in Flint Ridge Cave System in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. We measured evaporative rate, substrate moisture, substrate organic content, predictability and stability of food and microclimate, substrate diversity, and intensity of flooding. We found significant correlations of species diversity with substrate diversity, substrate organic content, and intensity of flooding."...The diversity of terrestrial arthropods was determined from a combination of trapping and census in an area containing a variety of cave passage types located within the Flint Ridge Cave system of Mammoth Cave National Park. Evaporative rates, substrate moisture, substrate organic content, predictability and stability of food and microclimate, substrate diversity, and intensity of flooding were measured. Methods and materials are explained. Results are presented and discussed in length. Discrepancies are noted and recommendations made for future ecological studies. Tables give the species grouped by abundance (from ubiquitous to rare) and give correlations of physical parameters at each trap site with comparisons between 1966 and 1967.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Poulson, Thomas; Culver, David
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, arthropods(Arthropoda), Biodiversity, Caves, Flint Ridge Cave System Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Habitats, Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Population, Terrestrial