Montane forests represent the majority of natural forests remaining in Europe. Their quality can be indicated by the occurrence of saproxylic invertebrates. Information on the habitat requirements of threatened species inhabiting such forests is a necessary prerequisite for qualified management decisions. Ceruchus chrysomelinus (Lucanidae) is an endangered relict species of European montane forests, but its ecology has been poorly studied to date. Hence, the habitat requirements of the species were analysed using fallen log sampling at four localities in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts., Czech Republic. The main factors affecting the beetle's occurrence were decay stage, rot type, diameter, and humidity of the log. We found that C. chrysomelinus developed in humid, medium‐to‐strongly decayed logs, with brown rot penetrated deep into the wood. Spatial analysis showed random distribution of logs colonised by C. chrysomelinus, which is likely a result of the continual long‐term presence of the species at the localities. C. chrysomelinus can thrive only in forests with a continuously sufficient supply of logs with specific features. Since the majority of European forests suffer from diminished spatio‐temporal heterogeneity, populations of C. chrysomelinus need to be supported by repetitive felling and leaving suitable trees (within a radius of tens to a hundred metres from colonised logs). In well‐preserved natural forests, just leaving them unmanaged might be an appropriate conservation strategy. C. chrysomelinus is one of the relicts indicating European natural forests; successful conservation of its habitat may then open an umbrella for many other saproxylic organisms.
Wind disturbances are a key factor that is significantly involved in the life cycle of natural boreomontane coniferous forests. As most of these forests are currently intensively managed, we have limited knowledge on succession following natural disturbance. Succession in a Norway spruce stand after a windthrow event was studied using ground beetles as model bioindication taxa in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic). The study documented that the composition of ground beetle communities was significantly associated with stand age and its microclimatic parameters (particularly the minimal temperature and average and minimal humidity). Forest species including prey specialists, hygrophilous species, as well as habitat generalists were the most abundant in the mature stand, where the forest had the highest humidity and the least profound minimal temperatures. In contrast, open-habitat species, including euryoecious species and relict species of higher elevations, reached their highest abundances in clearing shortly after the windthrow. In clearing the humidity was lower and the temperature fluctuated significantly (the lowest minimal temperatures). Ground beetles, including forest species, were the least abundant in young stands (10 and 20 years after windthrow). We conclude that old stands are of particular importance because they harbour the highest abundance and diversity of ground beetles with various ecological requirements. Natural wind disturbances are important as well since they increase diversity by enabling the occurrence of many non-forest species. Hence, a mosaic of stands of different ages with a sufficient proportion of old stands should be maintained when managing montane coniferous forests.
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