About My Research

Insects are excellent indicators of ecosystem health, especially in biodiversity hotspots. Several studies have shown that nearly half of the world’s insect species could become extinct over the next few decades due to climate change. This potential insect decline and its environmental drivers are especially understudied in the Southern Hemisphere. This study’s long-term sampling was conducted in a biodiversity hotspot, the Cape Floristic Region. The study aims to assess changes in ground-dwelling beetle assemblages across an altitudinal gradient over 20 years. Following the same methodology and locations as historical studies, four replicates of 10 pitfall traps were placed at each of the 17 altitudinal bands across a historical altitudinal gradient in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. Soil composition and vegetation cover were recorded during each sampling event. Additionally, temperature was measured continuously for over 20 years using i-Buttons.