Coleoptera assemblages inhabiting managed and preserved pine forests - the effect of fifteen years of reserve conservation

The assemblages of Coleoptera have been examined in the managed and reserved mature pine forests of Lithuania since 1997. Beetles have been sampled from the forest litter using sieves. The present study is based on the data of 20 litter samples (10 samples per each stand) taken in the period from October 2013 to February 2014. Each sample was compiled of 5 smaller ones taking all litter (up to mineral layer of the soil) from 0.04 m2 plot. During the study a total 450 adults representing 69 species of beetles was discovered. Both the average number of species and the number of individuals were found to be higher in the samples taken in reserved forest and made 10.7±1.4 and 27.2±4.9, whereas in managed forest they made 9.7±1.1 and 17.8±3.4, but the differences were not statistically significant. The proportions of phytophagous, mecetobionts and saprophagous were also bigger in reserved forest: 9.5±2.0, 7.8±2.2, 3.1±1.0 than those in the managed forest, where these groups consisted of 8.0±1.8, 4.9±1.7 and 2.8±1.6 percent of the total number of individuals in the sample, respectively. The opposite proportions were detected for zoophages, which were more ambiguous in the managed forest and were by 76.0±2.5 higher than those in the reserved forest 72.8±3.2. These differences were not statistically significant. A non−metric multidimensional scale (NMDS) using Bray−Curtis similarity matrix indicated low differences of the Coleoptera assemblages between investigated sites (final stress=0.22). The analysis using RDA showed some differences between Coleoptera assemblages inhabiting reserved forest (R) and managed forest (D), which were correlated with proportions of humified mortmass (+0.88) and biomass of moss (–0.63 and –0.71). The dissimilarity index calculated using the algorithm SIMPER, was quite high (71%), but the obtained results showed a relatively low diversity of beetle assemblages in both forests. It means that the process of transformation of the managed forest into reserve is very slow, most likely due to the fact that restoration of the microhabitats is particularly slow. Low differentiation of Coleoptera assemblages dwelling in litter is associated with low dispersal power of most coleopteran species. Thus, the establishment of new reserves in old growth pine forests can not stimulate fast increase of specific beetle diversity mainly because the regenerative processes of microhabitats seem to be extremely slow. The specific diversity of beetle assemblages was slightly higher in the reserved forests, but it was not confirmed statistically. In comparison with the managed old growth pine forest the period of fifteen years of reservation of old growth pine forest has only a very low effect on specific diversity and ecological specialization of the beetles

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe

Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south-eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north-western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north-eastern France). There are few data from south-eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad-leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining ‘islands’ of nature in urban areas

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in Europe

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe.— Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south–eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north–western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north–eastern France). There are few data from south–eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad–leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining "islands" of nature in urban areas. Key words: Saproxylic, Cavity, Habitat Directive, Pollarding, Bioindicator, Scarabaeoidea