Commercial harvest of logging residue in clear-cuts affects the diversity and community composition of ground beetles (Coleoptera : Carabidae)

• Structural complexity of the habitat is known to influence the diversity and abundance of arthropod populations. Earlier studies have shown that presence of logging residue ( slash) on the ground contributes to microhabitat complexity and removal of slash for biofuel in clear-cuts can have short-term ( similar to 1 year) effects on ground-active beetle populations. This study examines the consequences of slash removal on carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) 5-7 years after harvest. Sampling of beetles was done by pitfall trapping in three matched clear-cut pairs, in spruce forest in central Sweden. The number and diversity (Berger-Parker dominance index) of carabid species were significantly higher in clear-cuts with slash harvest than in sites where slash was left on the ground. No difference in the overall rank-abundance pattern was found between clear-cuts with different slash treatments, but for species with certain habitat preferences the community was significantly altered. In all clear-cuts, slash removal caused a shift in dominance with an increase in generalist species and a decline in forest species. The results show that removal of slash may have long-lasting effects on the carabid community composition and structure. Hence, in forest landscapes with large-scale biofuel harvest, generalist carabid species may increase their abundance. Following the precautionary principle, it is suggested that every fifth clear-cut should be free of slash harvest.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

species assemblage

structural complexity

whole-tree harvest

ASSEMBLAGES COLEOPTERA

FOREST MANAGEMENT

SPECIES-DIVERSITY

LANDSCAPE

REMOVAL

BIODIVERSITY

BRYOPHYTES

COMPLEXITY

SUCCESSION

VEGETATION

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)