Diversity and Composition of Ground-Dwelling Beetles in Cold Temperate Zone Wetland, Nanwenghe National Reserve, Northeast China

Abstract

Using pitfall traps, ground-dwelling beetle assemblages were investigated in Nanwenghe National Reserve, a typical Cold Temperate Zone wetland from Northeast China between 2009 and 2010. 9 sites comprised 3 habitat types, higher normal forest HNF, lower frozen forest LFF and lower frozen grass LFG were selected, and total of 1,289 individuals, consisting of 112 species were indentified. July and August had the peaks in diversity, richness and abundance. Rarefaction estimates of species richness indicated that traps in HNF had more species and individuals than LFF and LFG. According to the feeding habit, guilds was divided into four parts: Predators PR, Phytophagous PH, Scavengers SC, Fungivores FU, and PR>PH>SC>FU in quantity at both species and individual level, which suggested that the ground-dwelling beetles played an important role in substances cycle and energy flow of wetland ecosystem. Eretes sticticus, Cicindela hybrida, Pentodon mongolicus etc. displayed some particularities in different habitats, so the possibility that ground-dwelling beetles as indicator of quality of wetland or habitat environment was also discussed.