http://www.scf.rncan.gc.ca/authors/read/21272 Publications by A. Daouda en-ca 2009-08-21 00:00:00 MST 2009-08-21 00:00:00 MST webmaster@nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca http://www.scf.rncan.gc.ca/publications?id=30046 Beetles represent a component of arthropods that contributes to enrichment and circulation of mineral elements retained in litter and the topsoil. We have studied beetle abundance, diversity, and distribution in response to anthropogenic activities (farming, urbanization, etc.). Two collecting methods were used: soil monoliths extraction, and sifting and processing of soil and litter samples in a mini-winkler extractor. This study was conducted in the central-western part of Ivory Coast, near Oumé in eight agroecosystems with five types of habitats. Our results showed that secondary forests had the highest beetle abundance, but the highest diversity was found in the fallows. The families represented in the majority of agroecosystems are Staphylinidae, Scydmaenidae, Curculionidae, Pselaphidae, Scarabaeidae and Carabidae. The regenerating forest plantations and cocoa plantations were characterized by lower beetle abundance and diversity. The study demonstrated that beetle abundance and diversity were affected by human activities and depended on the intensity of land use. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 http://www.scf.rncan.gc.ca/publications?id=30046 http://www.scf.rncan.gc.ca/publications?id=28936 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 http://www.scf.rncan.gc.ca/publications?id=28936