Diversity of ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in meshophyllous beech stands of various ages in Nature park Papuk

Abstract

Zajednice trčaka u mezofilnim bukovim šumama, uzorkovane su tijekom vegetacijske sezone 2008. godine (od lipnja do sredine rujna). Metodom lovnih posuda uzorkovano je na devet različitih ploha u šumama različite starosti: mlada šuma (sastojine od oko 60 godina starosti), srednje-dobna šuma (sastojine od oko 80 godina) te stara bukova šuma (sastojine od oko 150 godina). Sveukupno je uzorkovano 1239 jedinki, te je zabilježena prisutnost 31 vrsta. Najviši broj vrsta zabilježen je za srednje-dobnu i staru bukovu šumu. Shannon- Wiener-ova raznolikost je najviša za srednje-dobnu šumu, dok je najniža u mladoj šumi. Izračunom srednje individualne biomase trčaka (MIB - Mean Individual Biomass) za svaku pojedinu plohu, najstariji šumski ekosustav se izdvojio sa najvišom vrijednošću. Analizom dominantnosti trčaka, upravo je u najstarijoj šumi utvrđena dominacija velikih vrsta trčaka, koji su ujedno i šumski specijalisti, te zahtijevaju stabilan ekosustav za razvoj. MIB indeks se pokazao kao izvrstan alat u procjeni sukcesijskog stanja gospodarenih šuma, budućem upravljanju i zaštiti šumskih ekosustava.The ground beetle assemblages in meshophyllous beech stands were analysed during the vegetation period of the year 2008 (from June to September). Nine pitfall traps were placed in 3 types of forest: young one (beech stands old approximatley 60 years), middle aged (stands 80 years old) and old type (stands about 150 years old). All together, 1239 were collected and 32 species recorded. The highest number of species is noted for middle-aged and old forests. Shannon – Wiener's diversity is highest in middle-aged forest, and lowest in young beech forest. MIB (Mean Individual Biomass) calculation for each age class brought out the oldest forest type with the highest value. Analysing dominance and activity of the ground beetle fauna, oldest forest type showed to be the habitat of large species, which are also forest specialists, and need stable conditions for its development. MIB index appear to be an excellent tool in evaluation of sucession level in logged forests, future managment and conservation of the forest ecosystems