Ground Beetle Communities Research Articles

Functional traits drive ground beetle community structures in Central European forests: Implications for conservation

Community metrics describing the structuring of ecological communities, such as nestedness and the potential linkages between functional traits and the occurrence of species, might hold important information for biodiversity conservation. The order in which species are ranked in nested communities, as well as species traits determining community composition, can help pinpoint species vulnerable to extinction. However, these patterns remain understudied for many taxa of conservation concern and across larger spatial scales. We used a large dataset of ground beetle communities in Central European forests to test for nestedness, variation in species composition, and whether species traits can explain species composition patterns. We found only weak evidence of nestedness of ground beetle communities. However, community compositions across regions were remarkably similar. Species traits explained over half the variance in the overall occurrence ranks of ground beetle species. Wing dimorphism, breeding in both spring and autumn, and hibernation as both larval instars and as imago coincided with increasing occurrence probability, probably due to the greater flexibility of such species to adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions. In contrast, predominantly granivorous species or those with smaller geographical ranges had small occurrence ranks. These results emphasise the importance of investigating the relationships between species traits and occurrence ranks to better understand the mechanisms which shape community composition, and these relationships should be taken into consideration in conservation contexts. Our results provide a basis for the development of more effective conservation strategies in Central European forests to protect threatened ground beetle species.

Ecological structure of the West Siberian forest-steppe spider community (Arachnida, Araneae) and its comparison with the ground-beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) community

An investigation of the spatiotemporal management of the ground-dwelling spider community has been carried out at the continuous habitat gradient from the forest outlier center to the meadowland center in the southern part of the forest-steppe zone of Novosibirsk oblast in 2007‒2008. We apply two sampling methods which complete each other: pitfall trapping and hand separation of soil samples. Eighty-three species of spiders from 14 families are determined. Spiders are most abundant in the early summer and less abundant in the middle of summer. Representatives of different families are of maximum abundance in different sites: Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae mainly in the forest and Philodromidae in the solonetz meadow. The distribution of diversity and abundance of spiders and ground beetles throughout the habitat gradient are generally similar. This is contradictory to the spatial interactions of these two groups in Arctic and extreme ecosystems. Niche distinguishing between ground beetles and spider species is not only topical. It includes the usage of different strata of vegetation, various seasonal activity, and trophic specialization.

Fluctuation of families of Coleoptera population depending on the application of organic fertilizers

Fluctuation of families of Coleoptera population depending on the application of organic fertilizers

RESPONSE OF BEETLE COMMUNITIES FIVE YEARS AFTER WILDFIRE IN MEDITERRANEAN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Wildfires are one of the most important drivers of forest composition and biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Many studies have demonstrated that fires can affect insect diversity by altering the functional traits of species groups. We examined the 5-year response of beetles to wildfires by assessing patterns of community composition across a gradient from forest interior to forest edge to burnt forest area in Southern Italy. Our objective was to characterize the relationship between distance from the forest edge and occurrence of beetle taxonomic assemblages. We analyzed the composition, similarity, and dominance of ground beetle communities in randomly selected plots located along the forest-to-burned-area gradient. We found a negative relationship between community similarity and distance from the forest edge; moreover, the composition of species assemblages (within each family) became increasingly similar with proximity to the forest edge. As the distance from the forest edge into the burned area became greater the dominance of few species increased, and species composition shifted toward habitat generalists. The results partially support the notion that the differences in beetle communities probably are driven by habitat changes caused by fires, especially for those taxa with many specialist species in feeding and oviposition habitats. Understanding the biological effects of wildfires is necessary prior to design management strategies and policies for counteracting the loss of biodiversity at the global, regional and national levels.

Long-term dynamics and spatial distribution of stable and labile components in ground beetle communities (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a mosaic of flood-plain meadows

Abstract. Background and purpose: Long-term changes in the community structure of ground beetles were surveyed in nine flood-plain meadows of the Oka River valley (Ryazan Region, Russia) using the concept of stable-labile components. Such approach contradicts with the traditional estimation of the community structure, and there are only a few similar studies now. Material and methods: Based on inundation time, all model habitats were divided into three groups: dry, short-term flooded, and long time flooded meadows. Beetles were trapped from mid-April to late September 2006 and from early April to late October in 2007 and 2008 using pitfall traps. All captured beetles were dissected and the conditions of their gonads were evaluated. Results and conclusions: Altogether, 142 species from 50 genera were recorded. In terms of abundance, 84% of all specimens belonged to 22 species (15.5% of the total species diversity). However, neither in all years nor in all study habitats the local populations of dominant species are characterized by a complete demographic structure. On the contrary, 49 species were residents, but only from three to 27 of them completed their life cycles at least in one habitat. In total, the labile component usually had a higher species diversity, but the stable component was more abundant. Large-scale migrations were typical solely of stenotopic species that inhabit only few meadow types. Eurytopic species were easy to redistribute in a limited area and occupied all available habitats. In some species, not only migrations, but also changes in life cycles from annual to biennial ensured the survival of their local populations.

The effect of channel restoration on ground beetle communities in the floodplain of a channelized mountain stream

Background and purpose: River regulation works, channelization and floodplain urbanization have reduced the frequency of flooding, incised river channels, and separated them from the surrounding riparian zones. This phenomenon is especially unfavourable for exposed riverine sediment areas (ERS) situated in the transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic environments, and plays a fundamental role in the functioning of riverine ecosystems. We investigated the effects of restoration practise based on eco-friendly structures on riparian ground beetle communities. Materials and methods: Carabids were surveyed in 60 sampling sites of incised and redeposited cross-sections of a mountain stream. At each cross-section geodetic measurements were surveyed and six sampling sites were randomly established at different distances from the water surface. Results and conclusions: Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed that the dissimilarity in carabid communities between the three benches resulted mainly from differences in hydrological (bankfull discharge, period of flooding, water velocity) and geomorphological parameters (incision and erosion) in the incised and redeposited cross-sections. A GLM indicated that incision-redeposition processes had a significant effect on carabid assemblage parameters and life history traits. The effect of redeposition processes on abundance, species richness, biomass and MIB depended strongly on bench height and flood frequency. The cross-sections where eco-friendly constructions were built and bed material deposition processes were recreated showed increased abundance of ERS specialists: small predators with high dispersal power and a spring breeding strategy. However, the proportion of specialist species in the community was small, which indicates a slow rate of restoration of ERS specialist diversity.

Forest–farm edge effects on communities of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) under different landscape structures

AbstractIn fragmented landscapes, ecological processes may be significantly influenced by edge effects, but few data are available for edge effects across forest–farmland edges. We investigated patterns of species richness, abundance, and species composition in ground beetles across forest–farm edges in two different agro‐forest landscapes in Korea. Nine and five sites were selected from Hwaseong, a fragmented landscape, in 2011 and 2012, respectively, while eight sites were selected from Hoengseong, a relatively well‐protected landscape, in 2012. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall trapping. Species richness was higher in the surrounding habitat than in the forest interior or edge in both Hwaseong and Hoengseong. However, in Hwaseong, species richness of the forest edge was similar to that of the forest interior, while in Hoengseong forest edge species richness was intermediate between that of the forest interior and surrounding areas. In addition, non‐metric multidimensional scaling based on the combined data of both locations showed that the species composition of ground beetles in the forest edge was more similar to that of the forest interior than the surrounding areas, although some open‐habitat species occurred at the forest edges. Three characteristic groups (forest specialists, edge‐associated species, and open‐habitat species) of ground beetle species were detected by indicator value analysis. In our study, ground beetle assemblages differed in the forest edges of two agro‐forest landscapes, suggesting that the edge effect on biota can be influenced by landscape structure.

Effects of climate and landscape heterogeneity on the distribution of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in agricultural fields

Our objective was to elucidate how climate and landscape composition influence the ground beetle community at different time and spatial scales. Ground beetles were sampled with pitfall traps at 36 sites located in nine provinces. A total of 2355 individuals, belonging to 96 species, were observed. The dominant species were Anisodactylus punctatipennis, Dolichus halensis halensis, Harpalus griseus, Harpalus jureceki, Pheropsophus jessoensis, and Pterostichus haptoderoides. The distribution pattern of ground beetles among nine provinces seemed to have a zonal variation with latitude in national scale. Dendrograms revealed that the province of Jeju-do has a distinctive species composition, and the highest species number compared with the other eight inland provinces. A cluster analysis showed that the distribution patterns of 18 dominant species could be separated into two groups according to their abundances. It suggested competition between dominant and subdominant groups for habitat resources. A higher number of species were associated with recent annual climate (June 2012–May 2013) than climate normals (1981–2010). Maximum temperature was the most determining factor among the temperature variables, whereas some species correlated with recent annual precipitation. However, Patrobus flavipes only correlated with precipitation normals. Furthermore, some species correlated with the landscape composition of the area surrounding the sample site. A. punctatipennis was associated with grasslands, which reflects their specialized food source and habitat type dependency. Pterostichus haptoderoides was associated with forest parameters. Finally, species number was positively correlated with both grasslands and annual precipitation. The results show that climate and heterogeneous landscape compositions may influence the distribution of ground beetle communities in agricultural fields.

Managing towards extinction: Diverging developments of plant and ground beetle assemblages following restoration of calcareous grasslands

Central European calcareous grasslands are particularly rich in species, harbouring an endangered flora and fauna. In this study, we analyse how invertebrates, like ground beetles, react on vegetation changes in these habitats. We ask if and how species of both groups may react on local environmental changes associated with conservation management regimes. For this reason, vascular plant and ground beetle communities were assessed at six semi-natural calcareous grasslands in Luxembourg before (1988–1992) and after (2008–2010) restoration had started. All studied grassland sites are protected as nature reserves and managed to preserve an open and diverse plant species composition. Our data indicate diverging trends for plant and ground beetle composition: Richness and abundance of species increased for plants and decreased for ground beetles, particularly for forest and Red List species. Functional diversity of plants and ground beetles remained stable, although the abundance of nitrogen-loving plant species increased. In ground beetles, we identified increased proportions of species with strong habitat associations. These findings underline that plant species, in particular typical calcareous grassland species, benefited from ongoing conservation management, while many ground beetle species, mostly the non-grassland specialists, suffered under the applied management regimes. These results highlight the general dilemma in nature conservation of how to prioritise management regimes in situ.

Response of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to forest gaps formed by a typhoon in a red pine forest at Gwangneung Forest, Republic of Korea

In Korea, damaging typhoons related to climate change have increased steadily since the 1990s. Red pine (Pinus densiflora) forests in Gwangneung Forest were greatly disturbed by typhoon Kompasu in 2010. A survey was carried out to clarify differences in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) communities between forest gaps and undamaged forests. Ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps from early May to late October 2011. Vegetation changes, litter layer, organic matter layer, and soil conditions were also measured. A total of 1035 ground beetles of 32 species were collected. Contrary to our expectation, species richness, abundance, and community structure of the ground beetles in forest gaps were similar to those in undamaged forests. Species richness and abundance of habitat type were also similar. However, species diversity and estimated species richness in forest gaps were significantly higher than in undamaged forests. These findings suggest that forest gaps formed by a typhoon did not lead to great change in ground beetle communities.

Local and landscape effects of agricultural intensification on Carabid community structure and weed seed predation in a perennial cropping system

The effects of agricultural intensification on service-providing communities remain poorly studied in perennial cropping systems. However, such systems differ greatly from annual cropping systems in terms of spatio-temporal dynamics and levels of disturbance. Identifying how land use changes at different scales affect communities and ecosystem services in those habitats is of major importance. Our objectives were to examine the effects of local and landscape agricultural intensification on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation services. We examined the effects of local vegetation management and landscape context on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation in 20 vineyards of southwestern France in 2013 and 2014. Vineyards were selected along a landscape complexity gradient and experienced different management of local vegetation. The activity-density of ground beetles decreased with increasing landscape complexity while species richness and evenness remained unchanged. Phytophagous and macropterous species dominated ground beetle communities. Seed predation was positively related to the activity-density of one species, Harpalus dimidiatus, and was not affected by local management or landscape context. We found that within-year temporal diversity in ground beetle assemblages increased with landscape complexity. Our study shows that increasing the proportion of semi-natural habitats in vineyard landscapes enhances the temporal diversity of ground beetles. However, we also found that measures targeting specific species delivering biological control services are a reasonable strategy if we are to maximize natural pest control services such as weed seed regulation to support crop production and reduce agrochemical use.

Does variable stand structure associated with multi-cohort forests support diversity of ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities in the central Nearctic boreal forest?

Multi-cohort management (MCM) that retains a range of stand structures (age and size class) has been proposed to emulate natural disturbance and improve management in the Nearctic boreal forest. Although MCM forests contain both single- and multi-aged stands of mixed tree sizes, little is known about how variable stand structure affects associated fauna and biodiversity. Here, we examine the relationship between ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities and stand characteristics across a range of forest structure (=cohort classes). Given that MCM classes are defined by the distribution of their tree–stem diameters, we ask whether parameters associated with these distributions (Weibull) could explain observed variation in carabid communities, and if so, how this compares to traditional habitat variables such as stand age, foliage complexity or volume of downed woody debris. We sampled carabids using weekly pitfall collections and compared these with structural habitat variables across a range of cohort classes (stand structure and age since disturbance) in 18 sites of upland mixed boreal forests from central Canada. Results showed that richness and diversity of carabid communities were similar among cohort classes. Weibull parameters from the diameter distribution of all stems were the strongest predictors of variation in carabid communities among sites, but vertical foliage complexity, understory thickness, and percentage of deciduous composition were also significant. The abundance of several carabid forest specialists was strongly correlated with tree canopy height, the presence of large trees, and high vertical foliage complexity. Our results demonstrate that variable forest structure, as expected under MCM, may be useful in retaining the natural range of ground beetle species across the central Nearctic boreal forest.

Climate warming effects in the tropical Andes: first evidence for upslope shifts of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Ecuador

Abstract In order to assess the impact of global warming on the biodiversity of the tropical high Andean páramo ecosystem, we compared historical and recent surveys of ground beetle communities along elevational gradients of the Pichincha volcano (Northern Ecuador). The studied datasets date to 1880, 1985/86 and 2013/15. From 1880 to 1985, the bottom range of at least one stenotopic and wingless high‐altitude species, Dyscolus diopsis, has shifted approximately 300 m upward, with the resulting area reduction of more than 90% from >12 km2 to <1 km2, which highlights the probability of future local extinctions on the Pichincha as well as on other mountains of Ecuador. Over a shorter period of time, the comparison of the 1985/86 and 2013/14 datasets indicates that the lower limit of the superpáramo ground beetle community has shifted upwards from circa 4300 m to circa 4400 m. Different individual responses are recorded among the species. Some of them did not experience any significant change, whereas the upper limit of one of the grassland generalists has shifted upwards at least 400 m in 28 years. These results suggest that the response to global warming varies from one species to the other, depending on their degree of specialisation and tolerance. They call for the implementation of a monitoring programme that would use carabid assemblages as an indicator of the impact of climate change on the páramo ecosystem, in combination with other proxies.

The Changes Related with Altitudinal Gradient and Seasonal Variation in the Species Composition of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Türkmen Mountain (Eskisehir, Turkey)

We present in here the results of the observations about the changes related with altitude and seasonal variation of the ground beetle communities of Turkmen Mountain (Turkey). Totally, 32 Carabidae species belonging to 13 genera and 5 subfamilies were determined from the study area between May 2012-April 2013. The species diversity was monitored by sampling with pitfall traps periodically in every fifteen days. The habitat preferences of each species were examined and habitats were compared with similarity (Jaccard and Sarensen’s) and diversity (Simpson's and Shannon-Wiener) indices. Specific habitat preferences were observed for some species such as Carabus (Heterocarabus) marietti akensis and Licinus (Licinus) merkli. The environmental variables which are effective on ground beetles were analyzed by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and the results indicated that the most effective environmental variable on the activities of ground beetle species is the “moist” factor.

Agricultural Land Use Determines the Trait Composition of Ground Beetle Communities.

In order to improve biological control of agricultural pests, it is fundamental to understand which factors influence the composition of natural enemies in agricultural landscapes. In this study, we aimed to understand how agricultural land use affects a number of different traits in ground beetle communities to better predict potential consequences of land-use change for ecosystem functioning. We studied ground beetles in fields with different agricultural land use ranging from frequently managed sugar beet fields, winter wheat fields to less intensively managed grasslands. The ground beetles were collected in emergence tents that catch individuals overwintering locally in different life stages and with pitfall traps that catch individuals that could have a local origin or may have dispersed into the field. Community weighted mean values for ground beetle traits such as body size, flight ability and feeding preference were estimated for each land-use type and sampling method. In fields with high land-use intensity the average body length of emerging ground beetle communities was lower than in the grasslands while the average body length of actively moving communities did not differ between the land-use types. The proportion of ground beetles with good flight ability or a carnivorous diet was higher in the crop fields as compared to the grasslands. Our study highlights that increasing management intensity reduces the average body size of emerging ground beetles and the proportion of mixed feeders. Our results also suggest that the dispersal ability of ground beetles enables them to compensate for local management intensities.

Microhabitats and fragmentation effects on a ground beetle community (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a mountainous beech forest landscape

The aim of this investigation was to analyze the effects of microhabitats and forest fragmentation on the composition and species abundance of a ground beetle community from three different beech forest patches on Mt. Osogovo (Macedonia), as well as to analyze the mobility (based on mark-recapture of individuals) and seasonal dynamics and sex ratio of the ground beetle community. The study site included three localities (A, B, C), one of them fragmented (A), with four microhabitats (open area, ecotone, forest stand, and forested corridor). Ground beetles were collected using pitfall traps during four sampling months (June-September 2009) that were operational for three continuous days per month. Species richness, abundance, diversity, homogeneity, and dominance were compared between the localities. Dissimilarities in carabid assemblages between localities and microhabitats were analyzed with Bray-Curtis UPGMA cluster analysis. In total 1320 carabid individuals belonging to 19 species were captured. The carabid assemblage structure of the continuous forest locality was substantially different from the other two smaller forest patches, indicating that microhabitat structure affects ground beetle communities through changes of species composition and richness.

Changes in the ecological diversity of the forest population of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) after deforestation and during the initial period of reforestation

The ecological structure of ground beetles was studied. Its dynamics during the migration of ground beetles from one habitat to another as a result of severe ecological disturbances caused by tree felling and subsequent reforestation was considered. Some regularities in the formation and development of a ground beetle community in the early stage of secondary succession at the felling site were determined. Further trends were revealed using the simplest indices of diversity, species, abundance, distribution, and dominance of species. The species richness of ground beetles at the site one year after felling increased from 28 to 41 species. It decreased to 36 species in four years. According to the ecological preference, the basis of the complex of ground beetles at the forest site before felling was formed by spring-breeding species. Four years after felling, the proportion of forest species decreased (from 73.4 to 65.7%) and the significance of forestmarsh and meadow-field species increased. The proportion of summer- and autumn-breeding species also increased. The species and quantitative composition of ground beetles at the site during the first year after felling was mostly determined by neighboring forests. As reforestation proceeded, a separate biocenosis developed at the felling site and the influence of the forests became lower. The proportion of summer- and autumnbreeding species increased. The species and quantitative composition of ground beetles at the felling site was mostly determined by the neighboring forest during the first year. A separate biocenosis developed at the felling site in the following years, and the influence exercised by the forest diminished.

Influenza degli incendi boschivi sulla biodiversità pugliese

Wildfires are important drivers of forest composition and biodiversity in the Apulian Region. We examined the 5-year response of beetles to wildfires by assessing patterns of community composition across a gradient in a burnt forest area. We characterized the relationship between distance from the forest edge and occurrence of beetle taxonomic assemblages. We also analysed the composition, similarity, and dominance of ground beetle communities in some selected plots located along this gradient. A negative relationship exists between community similarity and distance from the forest edge. As the distance from the forest edge into the burned area became greater the dominance of few species increased, and species composition shifted toward habitat generalists. The knowledge of the biological effects of wildfires is crucial for supporting management strategies and policies on the loss of biodiversity at the global, regional and national levels.

Impact of integrated sheep grazing for cover crop termination on weed and ground beetle (Coleoptera:Carabidae) communities

Cover crops are a suite of non-marketable plant species grown to improve soil quality. They may have additional benefits including reduced weed pressure and enhanced habitat for beneficial arthropods, but they do not provide direct revenue. Integrating sheep grazing for cover crop termination could make the use of cover crops more economically feasible. However, if grazing shifts biological communities to assemblages of less desired species, producers are unlikely to use this method of cover crop termination. We compared weed and carabid beetle (Coleoptera:Carabidae) communities between cover crops terminated by sheep grazing and those terminated by mowing. Our study consisted of two trials of a two-phase experiment. In the first phase (cover crop phase), we seeded a four-species cover crop to enhance nutrient cycling and prevent erosion. The cover crop consisted of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis), beets (Beta vulgaris), and peas (Pisum sativum). The cover crop grew to anthesis, and was terminated by either sheep grazing or mowing. In the second phase (cash crop phase), we sowed three cash crops through the previously grazed or mowed plots to assess legacy impacts of cover crop termination strategies on weed community structure. Both years, weed species richness and biomass were greater prior to than after cover crop termination, but overall weed diversity, species richness, and biomass did not differ between grazed and mowed plots. We found no difference in weed diversity, species richness, biomass, or density in the cash-crop phase between previously grazed and mowed plots. Despite temporal differences in species richness and activity–density, carabid diversity, species richness, and activity–density did not differ between grazed and mowed plots. Overall, our results suggest that grazing and mowing act as similar ecological filters of both weed and carabid beetle communities.

Optimizing arthropod predator conservation in permanent grasslands by considering diversity components beyond species richness

Grasslands host large parts of Europe’s agricultural arthropod diversity. Considering the adverse effects of ongoing land use changes on many grassland taxa, there is an urgent need to establish measures that allow for optimizing the conservation of permanent grassland habitats and their climatic, environmental and ecological benefits. Here, data from 42 permanent grasslands were used to quantify the effect of individual management practices on different diversity components in spider and ground beetle communities. Intensive fertilization and frequent cutting reduced the species richness of spiders and the number of threatened spider species, but increased the average taxonomic distinctness of communities. Moreover, high grazing intensity reduced the average body size of individuals in local spider communities. Frequent cutting led to a higher abundance of predaceous and omnivorous ground beetles but a lower abundance of herbivorous species. These opposing responses of both different biodiversity components and different taxa to individual grassland management practices confirm that no single management practice maximizes the biodiversity of arthropod predators in permanent grasslands at the local scale. Rather, our study suggests that arthropod predator diversity can only be conserved by promoting a landscape-scale combination of different management practices and intensities in permanent grasslands. When considering conservation measures, conservation goals should not only be formulated in terms of local species richness, but also need to address other components of diversity such as taxonomic or functional diversity.