Change of Ellipsoid Biovolume (EV) of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) along an Urban–Suburban–Rural Gradient of Central Slovakia

Abstract

Changes in the structure of ground beetle communities indicate environmental stability or instability influenced by, e.g., urbanization, agriculture, and forestry. It can affect flight capability and ellipsoid biovolume (EV) of ground beetles. Therefore, we analyzed ground beetles in various habitats. In the course of the period from 2015 to 2017, we recorded in pitfall traps 2379 individuals (1030 males and 1349 females) belonging to 52 species at six localities (two rural, two suburban, two urban). We observed the decrease in the average EV value and morphometric characters (length, height, and width of the body) of ground beetles in the direction of the rural–suburban–urban gradient. Our results also suggest a decrease in EV of apterous and brachypterous species and an increase in macropterous species in the urban and suburban landscapes near agricultural fields. The increasing EV of apterous and brachypterous species and the decreasing of macropterous species was observed in rural landscape conditions with not continuous cover forestry and partial forest management. The creation of habitat fragments in urbanized conditions is key to maintaining the average EV in apterous and brachypterous species in urban and suburban landscapes.

Influence of Synthetic Flavorings on the Migration Activity of Tribolium confusum and Sitophilus granarius

“…As synthetic pesticides have proved harmful to health, the environment, and organisms, the search for alternative means of pest control is becoming more relevant (Langraf et al, 2019(Langraf et al, , 2020a. The insect attractants are an important bond between these systems (Hao et al, 1996).…”

Assessment of soil quality in agroecosystems based on soil fauna

“…Thus, our results agreed with the results of Langellotto & Denno (2004), who observed a decline in soil arthropods with increasing land use. The response of soil organisms is a key part of the sustainability of the soil ecosystem (Langraf et al, 2020) being considered as a bioindicator of the environment (Krumpálová, 2002;Krumpálová et al, 2009;Bote & Romero, 2012;Magura et al, 2020). Soil arthropods living in agricultural landscapes have a wider tolerance than the soil arthropods of natural habitats (Lenoir & Lennartsson, 2010).…”

Assessment of soil quality in agroecosystems based on soil fauna

“…Thus, our results agreed with the results of Langellotto & Denno (2004), who observed a decline in soil arthropods with increasing land use. The response of soil organisms is a key part of the sustainability of the soil ecosystem (Langraf et al, 2020) being considered as a bioindicator of the environment (Krumpálová, 2002;Krumpálová et al, 2009;Bote & Romero, 2012;Magura et al, 2020). Soil arthropods living in agricultural landscapes have a wider tolerance than the soil arthropods of natural habitats (Lenoir & Lennartsson, 2010).…”