Saproxylic beetle biodiversity in old‐growth forests of the south‐east of France

Abstract

This study compared the richness of saproxylic beetle species and the composition of species assemblages between the major forests types of the south-east of France. The forests differed by their geographical position and their composition in tree species. The results confirmed the existence of a clear local identity of the saproxylic beetles communities. This identity combined three geographical and ecological factors: the geographical position, the altitude and the dominant species of trees. Surprisingly, the period length since the last important perturbation of the stand was not a determinant factor to explain the composition of the saproxylic communities. Selective logging and deadwood retention favoured the increase of the diversity of saproxylic species. This diversity reached a maximum during the first 10 years following the perturbation, was the lowest 30 years after the stand perturbation, but increased again after 50 years with a different species composition.

Linking taxonomical and functional biodiversity of saproxylic fungi and beetles in broad‐leaved forests in southern Italy with varying management histories

“…The number of saproxylic species quantitatively depends on the CWD volume, though qualitatively also on the type and decay stage of the CWD (Heilmann-Clausen & Christensen 2003Christensen , 2004Nordén et al 2004;Sippola et al 2004;Vasiliauskas et al 2004;Dodelin 2006;Edman et al 2006;Ódor et al 2006;Lonsdale et al 2008;Dodelin 2010). Furthermore, several species that are dependent on deadwood do not colonize it but feed on wood decomposers.…”

“…The latter begin to develop as soon as wood becomes dysfunctional, with colonization starting latently within the wood and decomposition when the host tree is dead. As regards the trophic roles of saproxylic beetles, the following were distinguished on the basis of feeding habits (Bouget et al 2005;Dodelin 2010): "waste-feeders" (WF), which feed on dead bodies or dung in galleries or in dead wood; "saproxylophagous" (SA), which feed on a mixture of rotten wood with fungi; "fungivorous" (FU), which feed on fruit-bodies or mycelia; "xylophagous" (XY), which feed on all the woody tissues in living or dead wood without any fungal presence; and "predators" (PR), which attack living insects of the preceding four categories (mostly larvae).…”

Saproxylic beetles' morphological traits and higher trophic guilds indicate boreal forest naturalness

“…Saproxylic beetles are a major component of forest biodiversity and play important roles in several ecosystem processes (Stokland et al., 2012 ; Ulyshen, 2013 , 2016 ; Wetherbee, Birkemoe, Skarpaas, et al., 2020 ; Wetherbee, Birkemoe, & Sverdrup‐Thygeson, 2020 ). Also, there is considerable evidence that their communities respond to old‐growth forest characteristics (Dodelin, 2010 ; Jacobsen et al., 2020 ; McGeoch et al., 2007 ; Paillet et al., 2010 ; Seibold et al., 2019 ; Similä et al., 2002 ). Thus, saproxylic beetle communities may be good biodiversity indicators (Gao et al., 2015 ; Stokland et al., 2012 ).…”

Carbon sequestration by forests in the National Parks of Italy

“…Much of this C, however, will be released to the atmosphere if these forest ecosystems are disturbed. Although the vertical profile of oldgrowth forests may be opened due to the death of trees after disturbances (including storms, wildfire, harvesting, insects, diseases) also leaving a patchwork of canopy gaps, these ecosystems have high structural stability and species richness Brunialti et al 2010;Diaci et al 2010;Dodelin 2010;Liira & Kohv 2010;Manes et al 2010;Persiani et al 2010).…”