| Title | Microhabitat selection of a sicilian subterranean woodlouse and its implications for cave management |
| Abstract | Human activities in subterranean environments can affect different ecosystem components, including the resident fauna. Subterranean terrestrial invertebrates are particularly sensitive to environmental change, especially microclimatic variations. For instance, microclimate modifications caused by the visitors may directly affect local fauna in caves opened to the public. However, since numerous factors act synergistically in modulating the distribution and abundance of subterranean species, it remains challenging to differentiate the impact of human intervention from that of other factors. Therefore, evidence of the impact of tourism on cave invertebrate fauna remains scarce. Over a year and with approximately two visits a month, we investigated the effects of the presence of visitors on the subterranean endemic woodlouse Armadillidium lagrecai in the strict natural reserve of Monello Cave (Sicily, Italy). We found that natural microclimatic fluctuations, and not direct human disturbance, were the main factors driving the distribution of A. lagrecai. Specifically, A. lagrecai select for more climatically stable areas of the cave, where the temperature was constantly warm and the relative humidity close to saturation. We also observed a significant temporal effect, with a greater abundance of A. lagrecai in summer and a gradual decrease during the winter months. The number of visitors in the Monello cave had no effect on the abundance and distribution of A. lagrecai. However, considering the high sensitivity of the species to microclimatic variations, it seems likely that a significant increase in the number of visitors to the cave could indirectly affect this species by altering local microclimate. Constant monitoring of the environmental parameters within the cave is therefore recommended. |
| Source | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) 50 (1), pp. 53–63 |
| Keywords | ArmadillidiumBiodiversity conservationCave arthropodsHuman impactsSubterranean fauna |
| Journal | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) |
| Editor | Swets and Zeitlinger, Bologna, Italia |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.5038/1827-806X.50.1.2370 |
| Authors | Nicolosi, Giuseppe; Mammola, Stefano; Costanzo, Salvatore; Sabella, Giorgio; Cirrincione, Rosolino; Signorello, Giovanni; Isaia, Marco |
| Text | 452862 2021 10.5038/1827 806X.50.1.2370 Scopus 2 s2.0 85103139392 Armadillidium Biodiversity conservation Cave arthropods Human impacts Subterranean fauna Microhabitat selection of a sicilian subterranean woodlouse and its implications for cave management Nicolosi, Giuseppe; Mammola, Stefano; Costanzo, Salvatore; Sabella, Giorgio; Cirrincione, Rosolino; Signorello, Giovanni; Isaia, Marco Finnish Museum of Natural History; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Universita degli Studi di Torino; Universita degli Studi di Catania Human activities in subterranean environments can affect different ecosystem components, including the resident fauna. Subterranean terrestrial invertebrates are particularly sensitive to environmental change, especially microclimatic variations. For instance, microclimate modifications caused by the visitors may directly affect local fauna in caves opened to the public. However, since numerous factors act synergistically in modulating the distribution and abundance of subterranean species, it remains challenging to differentiate the impact of human intervention from that of other factors. Therefore, evidence of the impact of tourism on cave invertebrate fauna remains scarce. Over a year and with approximately two visits a month, we investigated the effects of the presence of visitors on the subterranean endemic woodlouse Armadillidium lagrecai in the strict natural reserve of Monello Cave Sicily, Italy . We found that natural microclimatic fluctuations, and not direct human disturbance, were the main factors driving the distribution of A. lagrecai. Specifically, A. lagrecai select for more climatically stable areas of the cave, where the temperature was constantly warm and the relative humidity close to saturation. We also observed a significant temporal effect, with a greater abundance of A. lagrecai in summer and a gradual decrease during the winter months. The number of visitors in the Monello cave had no effect on the abundance and distribution of A. lagrecai. However, considering the high sensitivity of the species to microclimatic variations, it seems likely that a significant increase in the number of visitors to the cave could indirectly affect this species by altering local microclimate. Constant monitoring of the environmental parameters within the cave is therefore recommended. 50 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85103139392 origin=inward main text 2021_NICOLOSI ET AL IJS.pdf Articolo in rivista Swets and Zeitlinger 0392 6672 International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. Int. J. Speleol. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Lisse Testo stamp. stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |
