Abundance and diversity of termite species (Isoptera) in the Jozani Chwaka bay national park, Zanzibar

The diversity and abundance of termite species (Isoptera) was studied in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (JCBNP) from 20 January to 03 February 2013. The scarcity of information for many invertebrates including termites prompted the present study to be conducted. The main objectives of the study were to determine the diversity and abundance of termite species within different habitat types and to determine the microhabitats mostly preferred by termites. The documentation of the data will provide baseline information to the termites found. A total of 5384 individual termites were collected, representing five subfamilies, five genera and five species. The diversity of termite species was highest in the Albizia dominated forest and lowest in the Coral rag and swamp forest. There were significant differences in diversity between different habitat types except in mixed forest and wooded grassland. The abundance of termites was highest in the derived wooded grassland and lowest in Coral rage. In the microhabitats, termites mostly preferred dead and rotten logs as they used them for both nesting and feeding. Differences in environmental conditions and vegetation types are among the important factors which determine the differences in diversity and abundance of termites in JCBNP. Among the genera, Nasutitermes species were found to be dominant probably due to their adaptations to different types of feeding. Psammotermes was the least numerous genus found only in the Albizia dominated forest near the edge of National Park where the habitat had signs of encroachment and is known to be vulnerable to fire, farming and grazing. Education to the local people surrounding the National Park is very important to promote conservation.