Tenebrionid Beetles Monitoring

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information

Citation_Information:

Originator: Desert Research Foundation
Publication_Date: 1987- 2002
Title: Tenebrionid Beetles Monitoring
Publication_Place: Gobabeb
Publisher: Desert Research Foundation

Description:

Abstract:

Long-term trapping near Gobabeb focuses on tenebrionid beetles (Coleoptera). Tenebrionids may be good indicators of environmental conditions because their population integrate several factors, namely, detritus, leaves and dung on which they feed, vegetation cover under which they shelter, the hardness, moisture and stability of the soil, and the availability of water from rain, fog, and runoff. Furthermore, tenebrionids are abundant, conspicuous, diverse, flightless, and easy to capture and identify. In an ongoing study initiated in 1976, the DRFN is investigating the long-term population dynamics and the species composition of the tenebrionids beetles in six habitants near Gobabeb. Beetles population are monitored in three habitats (gravel plains, Kuiseb river and dunes).

GPS coordinates for point of observations:

1. Quartz hill: 2km N of Gobabeb. 23.38S; 15. 10E,

2. Interdunes: 2km SSE of Gobabeb. 23.35 S; 25.02E

3. Kahani dune: 10km SSW of Gobabeb. 23.39S; 15.01E

4. Khommabes dune: 6km NW of Gobabeb. 23.33S; 14.49E

5. Kuiseb river: 0.5km S of Gobabeb. 23.33S; 15.02E

Two sites in the dunes are measured bi-monthly and other three times every week. Recording starting dates:

1. Quartz hill: 1976

2. Interdunes: 1977

3. Kahani dune: 1977

4. Khommabes dune: 1983

5. Kuiseb river: 1962

Taxonomic, ecological, behavioral and ecophysiological studies at Gobabeb have devoted much attention to tenebrionids (at least 180 published papers), making it by far the best-known group. All of these factors make these beetles excellent subjects for further in-depth research and for environmental education. Diversity indices are derived from the pit-trap data and population trends are revealed by comparing the time sequences of abundance data for each species. Different populations trends characterize changes in species composition and diversity. Possible causal factors, such as climate, community interactions, habitat characteristics, and human influence are examined.

Purpose:

1. To establish whether and how tenebrionid populations are indicators of environmental conditions, including changes in environmental conditions.

2. To provide information leading to understanding environmental processes that underlie the extraordinary rich biodiversity of tenebrioonid in the Namib desert.

Time_Period_Information:

Beginning_Date: 1987
Ending_Date: 2002
Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Status:

Progress: In work
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Annually

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: 12.3941
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.189699
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: -17.022699
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: -28.906099

Keywords:

Theme:
    Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
    Theme_Keyword: Tenebrionid Beetles
 Place:
    Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
    Place_Keyword: Namibia

Constraints:

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: None

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Spatial_Data_Organization_Information

 

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method:  

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Entity and Attribute Information

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Distribution_Information

Distributor:

           Contact_Organization_Primary:
                Contact_Organization: Desert Research Foundation
                 Contact_Person: Lesley Parenzee
         Contact_Address:
            Address_Type: Mailing Address
             Address: P.O.Box 20232
             City: Windhoek
             Country: Namibia
             Contact_Voice_Telephone: +264 (061) 229 855 and /or (064) 694 199/995
             Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: +264 (061) 230 172
             Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lesleyp@drfn.org.na

 

Distribution_Liability:

Subject to GTRC data sharing policy.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism and our partner organization cannot ensure the reliability of the spatial and non-spatial data layers for any particular purposes. In some cases, original data has been compiled from various sources and the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will not be held liable in any event for any consequences of using this data. Data sets may be updated without notification.

Metadata_Reference_Information

Metadata_Date: 2002/01/24

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Organization_Primary:
                Contact_Organization: Directorate of Environmental Affairs
                 Contact_Person: Ndaendelao E. Noongo
         Contact_Address:
            Address_Type: Mailing Address
             Address: Private Bag 13306
             City: Windhoek
             Country: Namibia
             Contact_Voice_Telephone: +264 (061) 249 015
             Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: +264 (061) 240 339
             Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: enn@dea.met.gov.na

 

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998