Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) on touristic trails of the native forests of the Azores (Portugal)
Open Access
- 16 April 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Pensoft Publishers in Biodiversity Data Journal
- Vol. 9, e62886
- https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.9.e62886
Abstract
The sharp increase in tourist visitation of the Azores archipelago from 2015 onwards raised concerns about the impacts of recreational tourism on native habitats. In response, a project was financed by the Azorean Government to investigate the drivers of biodiversity erosion associated to recreational tourism. Here, we present the data on spider biodiversity found on trails located within the native Azorean forests as they are home to several endemic species of great conservation value. We applied an optimized and standardised sampling protocol (COBRA) in twenty-three plots located in five trails on Terceira and São Miguel Islands, and assessed diversity and abundance of spider species at different distances from the trailhead and the trail itself.Of the 45 species (12435 specimens) collected, 13 were endemic to the Azores (9690 specimens), 10 native non-endemic (2047 specimens), and 22 introduced (698 specimens). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project for the assessment of touristic impacts on native forest trails. This methodology can be used on other habitats and biogeograhical regions.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- A database of functional traits for spiders from native forests of the Iberian Peninsula and MacaronesiaBiodiversity Data Journal, 2020
- Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia II: The native forests and dry habitats of Madeira archipelago (Madeira and Porto Santo islands)Biodiversity Data Journal, 2020
- Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia I: The native forests of the Azores (Pico and Terceira islands)Biodiversity Data Journal, 2019
- Global Island Monitoring Scheme (GIMS): a proposal for the long-term coordinated survey and monitoring of native island forest biotaBiodiversity and Conservation, 2018
- Conservation status of the forest beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) from Azores, PortugalBiodiversity Data Journal, 2017
- New records and detailed distribution and abundance of selected arthropod species collected between 1999 and 2011 in Azorean native forestsBiodiversity Data Journal, 2016
- A combined field survey and molecular identification protocol for comparing forest arthropod biodiversity across spatial scalesMolecular Ecology Resources, 2016
- Non-native Plant Invasion in Relation to Tourism Use of Aconcagua Park, Argentina, the Highest Protected Area in the Southern HemisphereMountain Research and Development, 2014
- Selection of priority areas for arthropod conservation in the Azores archipelagoJournal of Insect Conservation, 2010
- Standardization and optimization of arthropod inventories—the case of Iberian spidersBiodiversity and Conservation, 2009