Noelline Tsafack: Arthropods in Yinchuan

Arthropod orders and families in green spaces in Yinchuan, a city in North China

Arthropods biodiversity in urban areas have been the subject of many studies because urban areas represent important biodiversity reservoirs.

In arid regions like north China, green spaces represent recreative spaces for people but also oases for natural fauna especially small arthropods. The increase of urbanization leads to less green spaces and thus more small green patches. In part, the study aims at testing 2 hypothesis of the MacArthur and Wilson ETIB theory.

In this study, first, we aim at characterizing the structure of the arthropods meta-community in Yinchuan. Second, we aim at investigating the drivers of arthropods diversity with a focus on insects. Three points drive this study:
    • Which arthropods are found in Yinchuan parks? And what is the dominance structure?
    • Is there a relation between the abundance/species richness and the area (size) of the green space?
    • Impact of the density of city around the park?

To answer these questions, we carry out a study in seven parks scattered in the city. We collect arthropods using two methods: using forceps and using net for flying insects. Each park is visited two times per month from June to September 2018. During each visit, two sampling points are selected. At each sampling point, we trap arthropods using forceps and net.

This study is still in progress. 5 undergraduates students are involved: Fang Wei, Zhang Ting Ting, Gu Zhi Hai, Yang Jing Lin and Guo Jian Chao.