Saproxylic springtails (Collembola) of the Wigry National Park

Abstract

AbstractFaunistic and ecological studies on saproxylicCollembolaspecies were carried out in the Wigry National Park (NE Poland). Nine sites representingTilio-Carpinetum,Serratulo-PinetumandPeucedano-Pinetumhabitats each including three different levels of disturbance were visited twice in 2015. Samples from fallen logs in different stages of decay, neighboring litter and soil as well as arboreal epiphytes were taken on each visit. TheCollembolaspecimens were then extracted using Tullgren funnels resulting in a total of 73 838 specimens from 270 samples. Specimen identification revealed the occurrence of 63 species, including 5 saproxylobiontic, 7 saproxylophilous, 4 xerophilous species living in epiphytic mosses and lichens as well as 47 hemiedaphic or euedaphic species. This composition of saproxylic fauna seems to be typical for the region with the most diverse assemblages being found inTilio-Carpinetumhabitats, whileSerratulo-PinetumandPeucedano-Pinetumare clearly less diverse. Additionally, a slight decrease in the number ofCollembolaspecies with increasing forest disturbance was observed. Furthermore, an increase in the number ofCollembolaspecies with the degree of dead wood decomposition was also found. This indicates that saproxylic springtail assemblages are sensitive to anthropogenic changes.