Age of <i>Eucalyptus</i> plantations differentially affects assemblages of surface‐active arthropods

Microhabitats and environmental conditions in eucalypts vary depending on the growth phase. Response of surface-active arthropods to eucalypt phases is unclear; yet, it can be an important contribution forest management. Thus, we investigated response three age groups. We collected a 7-month-old, 18-month-old, 53-month-old since planting. Eucalyptus did not affect species richness. However, assemblages differed between 7-month-old eucalypts. Therefore, different ages enhance arthropod conservation, they differ terms microhabitats conditions. Les micro habitats et les environnementales des eucalyptus varient en fonction de la phase croissance. La réaction arthropodes actifs surface aux croissance n‘est pas claire ; pourtant, elle peut constituer une importante à gestion forêts. Nous avons donc étudié trois groupes d‘âge d‘eucalyptus. collecté dans âgés 7 mois, 18 mois 53 depuis leur plantation. L’âge l’eucalyptus n’a influencé richesse l’espèce. Cependant, étaient différents entre ceux mois. Par conséquent, âges peuvent améliorer conservation arthropodes, puisqu‘ils termes environnementales. Surface-active are understudied tropical ecosystems although indicators habitat modification. O'Brien al. (2017) reported positive association diversity plant Greater richness increases availability microhabitats, which may positively require specific including, woody debris, ground herb cover, leaf litter, logs, rocks (Isaia al., 2015; Lassau & Hochuli, 2004). Although suitable might present eucalypts, quality different, thus making them unsuitable for some arthropods, suggests that majority excluded More than decade ago, was third Africa's commercial plantations comes from South Africa (Jacovelli, 2014). In Africa, threaten native grasslands (Musengi Archibald, 2017). reduces (Wang 2011) because allelopathic influences (Ruwanza 2015) therefore alter composition (Goded 2019). As such, become homogenised trees dominate. Homogenisation landscapes affects (Rodrigues 2010). (De Queiroz 2017), however, studies recorded greater and/or abundance certain compared with (Rieff 2016) secondary pastures (Beiroz According Rieff (2016) litter depth contributed proportions mites grasslands. Furthermore, have been driven by generalist exploit adjacent (Eckert 2022). Vegetation structure, determines expected (Pairo 2021). For example, recently planted seedlings support other (Wagner 2006). as grow canopies close, plants intolerant shade decreases, while Exploring how conservation. this study, among 7-, 18-, hypothesised will ages, structure reduced younger 2021), lower older The study conducted Made Order plantation, Mpumalanga, Africa. Three blocks were selected matrix first block had April 2019, referred ‘7-month-old eucalyptus’ (7MOE) sampling took place months after planting (Figure 1). 7MOE burnt remnants tree stubs indicating before within approximately knee-high when began. soil about 90% exposed sunlight there no litter. second May 2018, ‘18-month-old (18MOE) occurred 18MOE 2–3 m tall. There 40% penetration block. average 8 cm deep under rows. logs 18MOE. Trees June 2015. When began old, called ‘53-month-old (53MOE). Unlike 18MOE, pruned, 53MOE tall (>15 m) pruned. result, canopy less dense 60% exposure sunlight. old 15 covered entire surface. size 236.026 m2, 166.472 223.088 m2. each other, 25 apart, both >1.5 km four sites small blocks. harvested at times; thus, possible find more same time. selecting all group one pseudoreplication (Samways 2010), unavoidable. Davies Gray (2015), increase information ecological systems, unavoidable needs stop ecologists conducting research. distance relatively short (ranged 200 312 m); acceptable taxa limited dispersal ability. Araújo Souza (2022) sampled pseudoscorpions plots 150 apart. Sampling during warm late spring early summer rainfall seasons 2019. To effort, period 21 days, partitioned into consecutive intervals. Arthropods using pitfall traps (6 diameter 9 deep) containing 50% ethylene glycol solution. Each site 10 × quadrat long line transects. Line transects 2 apart six set up ≥1 24 per site. Pitfall open days. Thereafter, new inserted removing traps, total Data intervals pooled form sample. preserved 70% ethanol, sorted morphospecies, recommended assess impact (Derraik 2002). Morphospecies later identified least family. Most ants genus (Fisher Bolton, 2016). spiders (Dippenaar-Schoeman, 2014; Dippenaar-Schoeman Jocqué, 1997) beetles (Bouchard, White, 1983) Analyses compare ages. Shapiro–Wilk test showed dataset normally distributed (W = 0.92, p 0.28). Moran's I (Gittleman Kot, 1990) ape package (Paradis Schliep, 2019) revealed spatial autocorrelation generalised squares (GLS) (Dormann 2007) nlme (Fox Weisberg, 2018) used GLS, exponential correlation used, location (longitude latitude) modelled random variable 2007). Species manyglm function mvabund 2012), negative binomial distribution best fit. multcomp (Hothorn 2008) pairwise comparisons. Similarity percentages (SIMPER) PRIMER (Clarke Gorley, determine individual contributions variation square root transformed analyses performed Bray–Curtis similarity measures. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) visualise 4781 individuals arthropods. Of 211 61% singletons doubletons. most abundant rich (3789 59 morphospecies), (445 78 morphospecies) (351 (Table termites (102 two millipedes (35 cockroaches (26 centipedes (25 nine (SE 4.22, t −2.17, 0.06). explain high supported. serves microhabitat, nesting food 2013). prefer canopy, low density, cover (Delph Neves (2013) structurally simple habitats. attributed openness favoured ants. Additionally, 7MOE, weeds caused attract herbivorous palatable leaves (Kwon Even though our method arboreal taxa, led predators food. significantly affected (Deviation 745.4, 0.007), differences (p 0.02) only 2). SIMPER contributors their (such seedlings) 53MOE, pruned These assemblages. such overlap expected. dissimilarities them, emphasise ability studied requirements species. Although, indicated similarities 0.07), nMDS (Tables 2, Figure significant 0.05), variations leaves, characterised recent burning. could attracted characteristics these shared. Similarly, (e.g. canopies) common morphospecies contributing towards compositional well (ants single Lycosidae) overlapped groups Overlap but prey availability. localised sample size, times improve supported Different provide 2021) heterogeneity. recognise factors agricultural practices confounded results. This work (financially) National Research Foundation (Competitive Support Unrated Researchers: Grant Number: 116310). thankful Forestry giving permission conduct sampling. During fieldwork assisted Nomkhosi Ndwandwe, Nonhlanhla Sibande, Emmah Mkasi, Sizwe Sambo, Simphiwe Sitibane, Takudzwa Samuneta Prosper Matopi. authors do any conflicts interest declare. data available corresponding author upon reasonable request.