scholarly journals Features of ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) assemblages in areas of meadow biocenosis with and without Sosnovsky’s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi)

2020 ◽  
pp. 75-83
Author(s):  
Elena S. Pliskevich
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Heracleum Sosnowskyi ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Biodiversity Index ◽  
Meadow Species ◽  
Pterostichus Oblongopunctatus

As a result of a study conducted in 2018, 41 species of ground beetles from 23 genera were identified in the Ushachsky District of the Vitebsk Region (Belarusian Lakeland) as a part of ground beetle assemblages of meadow biocenosis with clogging by the invasive Sosnovsky’s hogweed, whereas without clogging with hogweed 38 species from 21 genera were identified. Species Notiophilus biguttatus (Fabricius, 1779), Dyschiriodes globosus (Herbst, 1784), Bembidion quadrimaculatum (Linnaeus, 1761), Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (Fabricius, 1787), P. minor (Gyllenhal, 1827), P. nigrita (Paykull, 1790), Platynus assimilis (Paykull, 1790), P. krynickii (Sperk, 1835), Bradycellus caucasicus (Chaudoir, 1846), Ophonus laticollis (Mannerheim, 1825), Harpalus latus (Linnaeus, 1758), H. progrediens (Schauberger, 1922), Badister bullatus (Schrank, 1798) were recorded only in the biocenosis with clogging with hogweed. The species richness and the value of the biodiversity index of the ground beetle assemblages of the meadow biocenosis with clogging with hogweed were higher than these parameters of the ground beetle assemblages of the meadow biocenosis without hogweed. In the conditions of invasive hogweed thickets stratobionts boreholes dominated in the ground beetle assemblages (relative abundance 28.57 %), the participation of eurytopic (6 species, 20.37 %) and forest species (7 species, 12.01 %) was high, with a decrease in the share of participation meadow species (3 species, 1.37 %). For the biocenosis littered with hogweed, a high proportion of mesophiles (19 species, 52.44 %) was observed, against the background of a low proportion of mesogyrophils (9 species, 37.69 %).

scholarly journals Grazing impacts on ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) abundance and diversity on a semi-natural grassland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabor Pozsgai ◽  
Luis Quinzo-Ortega ◽  
Nick A. Littlewood
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Grazing Impacts ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Natural Grasslands ◽  
The Status ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Natural Grassland

AbstractSemi-natural grasslands are commonly managed as a grazing resource for domestic livestock but, due to their unique biodiversity, they are also of conservation interest. Numerous drivers have impacted on the status of these grasslands in recent decades, most importantly changing grazing management strategies. These changes have the potential to affect the biodiversity associated with these habitats, including on some rich invertebrate assemblages. Responses, however, are often dissimilar between different invertebrate taxa.We investigated the responses of ground beetles to different grazing regimes within a long-term grazing experiment on upland semi-natural grassland in Scotland. Although there was substantial overlap between ground beetle assemblages in different grazing treatments, species richness, mean abundance and Shannon diversity of ground beetles were significantly lower in ungrazed plots than in plots subject to high- or low-intensity sheep grazing. Ground beetle abundance (but not species richness or diversity) were lower in ungrazed plots compared to those with low-intensity mixed grazing by sheep and cattle. However, no differences were identified in abundance, species richness or diversity between the three grazed treatments.Our results suggest that ground beetles may show different responses to grazing compared to responses of some other invertebrate groups and demonstrates the difficulty of carrying out management for a multi-taxon benefit.

Principal determinants of species and functional diversity of carabid beetle assemblages during succession at post-industrial sites

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sipos ◽  
J. Hodecek ◽  
T. Kuras ◽  
A. Dolny
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Post Industrial

AbstractAlthough ecological succession is one of the principal focuses of recent restoration ecology research, it is still unclear which factors drive this process and positively influence species richness and functional diversity. In this study we sought to elucidate how species traits and functional diversity change during forest succession, and to identify important factors that determine the species in the observed assemblages. We analyzed species richness and functional diversity of ground beetle assemblages in relation to succession on post-industrial localities after habitat deterioration caused by spoil deposition. We selected ground beetles as they are known to be sensitive to landscape changes (with a large range of responses), and their taxonomy and ecology are generally well-known. Ground beetles were sampled on the spoil heaps during the last 30 years when spontaneous succession occurred. To calculate functional diversity, we used traits related to habitat and trophic niche, i.e. food specialization, wing morphology, trophic level, and bio-indication value. Ground beetle species were found to be distributed non-randomly in the assemblages in the late phase of succession. Ordination analyses revealed that the ground beetle assemblage was significantly associated with the proportion of forested area. Environmental heterogeneity generated assemblages that contained over-dispersed species traits. Our findings indicated that environmental conditions at late successional stages supported less mobile carnivorous species. Overall, we conclude that the decline in species richness and functional diversity in the middle of the studied succession gradient indicated that the assemblages of open habitats had been replaced by species typical of forest ecosystems.

scholarly journals What shapes ground beetle assemblages in a tree species-rich subtropical forest?

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1044 ◽  
pp. 907-927
Author(s):  
Pascale Zumstein ◽  
Helge Bruelheide ◽  
Andreas Fichtner ◽  
Andreas Schuldt ◽  
Michael Staab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Subtropical Forest ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Beetle Assemblages

As woody plants provide much of the trophic basis for food webs in forests their species richness, but also stand age and numerous further variables such as vegetation structure, soil properties and elevation can shape assemblages of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). However, the combined impact of these numerous variables on ground beetle diversity and community structure has rarely been studied simultaneously. Therefore, ground beetles were studied in 27 plots in a highly diverse and structurally heterogeneous subtropical forest ecosystem, the Gutianshan National Park (southeast China) using pitfall traps and flight interception traps. Both trapping methods collected partly overlapping species spectra. The arboreal fauna was dominated by lebiines and to a smaller extent by tiger beetles and platynines; the epigeic fauna comprised mostly representatives of the genus Carabus and numerous tribes, especially anisodactylines, pterostichines, and sphodrines. Ground beetle species richness, abundance, and biomass of the pitfall trap catches were analyzed with generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), fitted with seven environmental variables. Four of these variables influenced the ground beetle assemblages: Canopy cover, herb cover, pH-value of the topsoil and elevation. Contrary to our expectations, woody plant species richness and stand age did not significantly affect ground beetle assemblages. Thus, ground beetles seem to respond differently to environmental variables than ants and spiders, two other predominantly predatory arthropod groups that were studied on the same plots in our study area and which showed distinct relationships with woody plant richness. Our results highlight the need to study a wider range of taxa to achieve a better understanding of how environmental changes affect species assemblages and their functioning in forest ecosystems.

scholarly journals Ground beetles (Carabidae) of field margin habitats

Biologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1631-1641
Author(s):  
Janina Bennewicz ◽  
Tadeusz Barczak
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Field Margin ◽  
Poecilus Cupreus ◽  
The Status ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Anchomenus Dorsalis ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the role of field margin habitats in preserving the diversity and abundance of ground beetle assemblages, including potentially entomophagous species and those with conservation status in Poland. Research material was collected in 2006–2007 in four types of margin habitats – a forest, bushes, ditches and in two arable fields. Insects were captured into pitfalls, without preservation liquid or bait added to the traps. Traps were inspected twice a week, between May and August, and one sample was a weekly capture. In field margin habitats the most abundant species were Limodromus assimilis, Anchomenus dorsalis, Pterostichus melanarius and Carabus auratus. A lower abundance of species was noted on fields, with dominant Poecilus cupreus and P. melanarius. The group of zoophagous carabids found in our study includes 30 species from field margin habitats, i.e. 37.5% of all captured Carabidae taxa and 58.3% of all specimens. The share of aphidophagous species was 84.9% among bushes, 86.7% near ditches, and 88.0% in the forest habitat. Several species captured during the study are under protection in Poland. These include the partly protected Carabus convexus, which also has the status of near threatened species, the partly protected Calosoma auropunctatum, and Broscus cephalotes. Considering all the investigated field margin habitats, ground beetles were most numerous in the oak-hornbeam habitat, defined as bushes, formed predominantly by Prunus spinosa, Crataegus leavigata, Sambucus nigra and Rosa canina. Thus, this habitat was the most important reservoir/refugium for the ground beetles.

scholarly journals Succession of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) communities after windthrow disturbance in a montane Norway spruce forest in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic)

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 180-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Kašák ◽  
Jiří Foit ◽  
Marek Hučín
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Relict Species ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Intensively Managed

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals The Effect of Landscape on the Diversity in Urban Green Areas

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Kirichenko-Babko ◽  
Grzegorz Łagód ◽  
Dariusz Majerek ◽  
Małgorzata Franus ◽  
Roman Babko
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Natural Landscape ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Areas ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
The City

Abstract This article presented the results of a comparative analysis of carabid species compositions (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in urban green areas of the City of Lublin, Eastern Poland. In this study, the occurrence and abundance of ground beetles were analysed according to habitat preference and dispersal ability. A total of 65 carabid species were found in the three green areas. Obviously, the high species richness of ground beetles in the greenery of the Lublin is determined by the mostly undeveloped floodplain of the river Bystrzyca. The species richness of carabids and their relative abundance decrease in the assemblage of green areas under the effect of isolation of green patches and fragmentation of the semi-natural landscape elements in the urban environment. Generalists and open-habitat species significantly prevailed in all green areas. The prevailing of riparian and forest species at floodplain sites of the river Bystrzyca demonstrated the existence of a connection of the carabid assemblage with landscape of river valley. The Saski Park and gully “Rury” are more influenced by urbanization (fragmentation, isolation of green patches) and recreation that is consistent with the significant prevalence of open-habitats species in the carabid beetle assemblage.

Species Richness and Community Composition of Ants and Beetles in Bt and non-Bt Maize Fields

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1095-1103
Author(s):  
Marcos Gino Fernandes ◽  
Eduardo Neves Costa ◽  
Carla Cristina Dutra ◽  
Josué Raizer
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Bt Maize ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Gm Plants ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity

AbstractInsect-resistant genetically modified (GM) plants have been cultivated in several countries on a large scale. These plants express the Cry toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt), which confers target-pest resistance to plants. Studies on the effects of GM plants on nontarget organisms are important to assess the technology’s impact on biodiversity. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the species richness and composition of ants and ground beetles in Bt maize (four different toxins: Cry1Ab, Cry1F, and Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2) and conventional isoline (non-Bt) fields, in the first (summer) and second (winter) cropping seasons in 13 localities of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, over a 2-yr period (2009–2011). The assessment of Coleoptera and Formicidae species was performed using pitfall traps placed in fields throughout the period of vegetative growth and maturation of plants. Data were analyzed using faunistic indices of species richness, ordination by nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and multivariate analysis of variance. No statistically significant difference was found in the species richness of ant and ground beetle communities when comparing sites of Bt with those of non-Bt maize. Overall, Bt technology did not affect the composition of ant and ground beetles; however, municipality and cropping season exerted influence on the beetle composition. Some species were only observed in the first crop, whereas others were only observed in the second crop. This research suggests that Bt maize does not affect ant and ground beetle populations differently from its isoline.

scholarly journals A comparison of ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in conventionally and ecologically managed alfalfa fields

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kolařík ◽  
J. Rotrekl ◽  
M. Barták ◽  
A. Krupauerová ◽  
J. Frydrych
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Alfalfa Field ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Emergence Traps ◽  
South Moravia

From 2007-2011, the occurrence of ground beetles (<em>Coleoptera</em>: <em>Carabidae</em>) was studied using emergence traps in two differently managed alfalfa fields in the Czech Republic - a conventional and an ecological production system. In total, 784 specimens of ground beetles representing 58 species were trapped in these two alfalfa fields in South Moravia. A slightly higher number of specimens were trapped in the conventionally managed than in the ecological alfalfa stand (404 <em>vs</em> 380, respectively). In the conventionally managed alfalfa stand, the number of species was also higher than in the ecological stand (45 <em>vs</em> 40, respectively). With the exception of 2007 and 2009, Simpson’s indices of diversity were higher in the conventional stand than in the ecological in all study years. Shannon’s index was higher in the conventional alfalfa field in 2008, 2009, and 2011. Regarding distribution, species classified into group E (<em>i.e.</em>, those without special demands on the type and quality of their habitat) dominated in both types of management throughout the experimental period. The incidence of species classified into group R (<em>i.e</em>., those with narrow ecological amplitude) was very low;<em> i.e</em>., only four species. These ground beetle species are included in the Red List of Threatened Species of the Czech Republic, and all of them (<em>i.e</em>. <em>Acupalpus</em> <em>suturalis</em>, <em>Calosoma</em> <em>auropunctatum</em>, <em>Cicindela</em> <em>germanica</em> and <em>Ophonus</em> <em>cribricollis</em>) are listed as vulnerable.

scholarly journals Effects of undergrowth removal and edge proximity on ground beetles in urban boreal forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Koivula
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Ecological Consequences ◽  
Open Habitat ◽  
Human Safety ◽  
Evenness Indices ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Pterostichus Oblongopunctatus

Urban forests are regularly managed for human safety and aesthetic reasons, but they are crucial habitat for many species. Removals of undergrowth occur commonly in these forests, yet the ecological consequences of these operations are poorly understood. We sampled ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) along 20-m edge gradients in Finnish urban forests, in five stands treated 0.5−2.5 years earlier with undergrowth removal and in five untreated stands. We hypothesized that undergrowth removal and edge proximity would benefit opportunistic and open-habitat species, whereas shady-habitat species would be affected negatively. Diversity and evenness indices, open-habitat species and Carabus nemoralis responded positively, and forest species, Leistus terminatus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus responded negatively, to the undergrowth removal. Edge proximity had little effect on carabids. Diversity and evenness indices, open-habitat species and Carabus nemoralis responded positively, and forest species, Leistus terminatus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus responded negatively, to the undergrowth removal. Edge proximity had little effect on carabids. However, open-habitat carabids were less abundant and less speciose 10−20 m from than right at the edge. We conclude that, while managing urban forests, undergrowth removals should be avoided at sites that host rare or threatened forest-associated species.

scholarly journals Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) as useful tool indicating the quality of restoration practices in post-industrial areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Kędzior ◽  
Tomasz Skalski
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ecosystem Restoration ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Random Pattern ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Occurrence Pattern ◽  
Post Industrial

Environmental disturbances, being a consequence of human industrial activity, strongly influence the communities of plants and animals, causing impoverishment of species pool and reduction of the overall biodiversity. Restoration of stable ecological systems in such areas is difficult and depends on many factors, that influence the rate and effectivness of recolonization. The aim of the study was to compare the diversity and life history traits of ground beetle assemblages in recultivated and spontaneously regenerated postindustrial areas as well as reference forests. In addition the carabid co-occurrence pattern as a parameter evaluating the effectiveness of ecosystem restoration was studied. The following carabid life history traits were analysed: body size, dispersal power, food preferences, breeding type, and habitat preferences. During the field study 2036 specimens belonging to 36 Carabidae species were collected. NMDS analysis divided the ground beetle assemblages in relation to ecosystem types. ANOSIM showed significant differences in dissimilarity distances between assemblages from recultivated, spontaneously regenerated and reference areas. The analysis of the structure and life-history traits of ground beetle assemblages also showed significant differences. In recultivated dumps the rate of restoration was very slow and carabid assemblages structure and life history traits maintained the early successional character, revealing significantly higher abundance of herbivorous open-area species with medium body size, high dispersal power, and a spring breeding cycle. Moreover the co-occurrence pattern of ground beetle assemblages showed a random pattern of co-occurrence, as an effect of high extinction rate reflecting high disturbance level. In case of spontaneously regenerated dumps more effective restoration processes was observed. The co-occurrence pattern of ground beetles assemblages showed a non-random pattern (the mean simulated C-score value was significantly lower than the value generated for the empirical data). Such conditions were beneficial for more sensitive carabid species (mainly medium body-sized predators with low dispersal power and an autumn breeding cycle). We conclude that ground beetles could be an useful tool indicating the direction and effectiveness of ecosystem restoration in post-industrial areas. This study indicated that recultivation techniques without proper biological soil regeneration do not guarantee full restoration of ecosystems and provide conditions for species with wide ecological ranges.

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