How Many Types of Benthos Live in City Developments?
Created By RISC | 10 months ago
Last modified date : 10 months ago
We’ve seen how vital benthic animals, or tiny living organisms, are to ecosystems (https://bit.ly/3NZDt5F). Let’s now look at a study on benthic animals in green spaces in an urban property project.
Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC) collaborated with the Department of Biology in Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Science, led by Asst. Prof. Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana, to study the diversity of benthic animals in indoor and outdoor green areas, an eco-forest, and a green roof. They collected soil samples from October 2021 to April 2022.
Most benthic creatures found were ants, collembola, and mites. Benthic animals such as Oniscidea, Euborellia sp., Diplopoda, and centipedes were found in some locations. Their presence suggests that the land is fertile.
Species differed between locations. According to the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index by flora and fauna surveys, the green roof area had low biodiversity because it is on a building and has a shallow layer of soil. Outdoor green areas with regular maintenance also had low diversity due to the continuous removal of leaf detritus, reducing food for benthic creatures. The Eco-Forest section had relatively high diversity since it resembles a natural forest habitat, making it favorable for benthic species to dwell.
Researchers were surprised that indoor green space had the highest variety of species. The team must still work out why, particularly regarding environmental conditions in each location, such as soil characteristics, humidity, and area management.
The study show how vital urban green space can be. But continual research is required to monitor changes to provide practical guidelines for protecting biodiversity in urban environments.
Story by Satayu Panjinda, Intern from Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University and Thanawat Jinjaruk, Senior Researcher, Environment Division and Urban Environmental & Biodiversity Engineer, RISC
Reference:
Crossley, D.A., Mueller, B.R. and Perdue, J.C. 1992. Biotic Diversity in Agroecosystems Biodiversity of microarthropods in agricultural soils: relations to processes. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 40: 37-46.