| Publication Type: | Thesis |
| Year of Publication: | 2008 |
| Authors: | C. S. Chong, Li D. Q. |
| Date Published: | 2000x |
| University: | National University of Singapore |
| Keywords: | ecology, Formicidae, Singapore, UROPS |
| Abstract: | Urbanisation in Singapore has led to a major landscape change and currently, only patches of forested areas are left. Ants, being an important ecological insect group, are diverse and abundant, play important functional roles at all trophic levels, and are highly sensitive and respond quickly to environmental changes. In this study, the effect of forest disturbance (disturbed vs. undisturbed) onant diversity was investigated in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Kent Ridge Park. Pitfall trapping from ten study sites recorded 64 ant species representing 27 genera from 1108 individuals. This study found that there was no statistical significant difference in mean ant species richness and abundance between disturbed and undisturbed forests even though the undisturbed forests had higher species richness but lower abundance than the disturbed forests. Ant diversity in Singapore is little known and this study had shown that there is a rich diversity of ants present. |