Abstract
A comparison was made of the number of species, species diversity and ecological traits of carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages inhabiting Bialowieza Primeval Forest (National Park) and adjacent managed Bialowieza forest planted following clear-cutting of the primeval forest 80 years ago. Five pitfall traps were set in each plot in the primeval and managed forests in areas that differed in terms of humidity and soil fertility. The first hypothesis tested was that the type of stand (primeval vs. managed) has a greater effect on species diversity and life history traits of carabid assemblages than soil fertility or humidity. The second hypothesis tested was that a similar hierarchy of these factors affects the occurrence of particular species. It was demonstrated that the number of species in the primeval and managed forest sites did not differ significantly, but that mesic stands within these forests were more species-rich than boggy stands. However, the Shannon index for carabids was higher for the primeval stands. More species of carabids were recorded in the boggy primeval forest than boggy managed forest. The number of species was also higher in highly fertile than less fertile stands. These results indicate that the significant differences in the patterns of ecological traits among the assemblages studied depended mainly on humidity. This indicates the managed forest that was planted where a primeval stand was clear felled 80 years ago is a good quality habitat, which is a strong argument for protecting these stands.
Highlights
Primeval forests that are untouched or only slightly affected by modern man constitute less than 1% of Europe’s total forest area (Parviainen et al, 2007)
There were 17 carabid species – mainly non-forest species – caught in the managed stands that were not found in the primeval stands, while only 14 species were caught in the primeval stands that were not caught in the managed stands
The Shannon index was higher for assemblages of carabids inhabiting the primeval forest than the managed forest, while the number of species recorded in both types of stand was similar
Summary
Primeval forests that are untouched or only slightly affected by modern man constitute less than 1% of Europe’s total forest area (Parviainen et al, 2007). Since dead trees are not removed, their volume can reach a very high value, 100 or even 140 m3 per hectare Together these conditions result in a very large number of microhabitats, resulting in high species diversity, eg. The volume of timber (stem wood of trees over 7 cm in diameter) is reduced (Siitonen et al, 2000; Uotila et al, 2002), as is the number of species of trees (Wesołowski & Rowiński, 2006) and a drastic decrease in dead wood (Bobiec, 2002; Drozdowski, 2013) leads to a reduction in invertebrate species diversity, e.g. of saproxylic species (Byk et al, 2006)
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