Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Wildlife conservation through forestry abandonment: responses of beetle communities to habitat change in the Eastern Alps

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research on changes in biodiversity due to the abandonment of forestry is important in understanding the role of reserves in conservation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes have occurred in species richness, abundance and composition of ground, longhorn and bark beetles due to habitat changes as a result of the cessation of forest management. We surveyed ten managed and ten abandoned forest plots in two watersheds located in the north-eastern Italian alpine region, which share a common history of use, climate regimes, stand structure and topography. Ground beetles, and longhorn and bark beetles were collected with pitfall and flight-intercept window traps, respectively, from May to mid-October 2010. The three beetle taxa responded differently to changes in habitat features and management cessation. Differences in individual species responses between the two watersheds may indicate a role of management abandonment through its impact on forest habitat structure. For instance, ground beetle species mainly responded negatively to soil moisture and positively to understorey vegetation cover. Unexpectedly, saproxylic species responded variably, and often negatively, to deadwood features in these forests, but did respond positively to the volume of standing Abies alba trees. The assemblages of carabids and bark beetles differed between the two watersheds. Our results confirmed that 50 years of forest management cessation resulted in changes in the biodiversity of beetles in alpine forests, likely due to their response to changes in habitat structure. Moreover, we expect that where the unplanned abandonment of forestry practices and habitat rewilding are undergoing, like in many marginal areas of Europe, similar habitat structure dynamics and beetle responses are likely to occur spontaneously.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahamsson M, Lindbladh M (2006) A comparison of saproxylic beetle occurrence between man-made high- and low-stumps of spruce (Picea abies). For Ecol Manag 226:230–237. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.01.046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrich O (2005) Progetto Speciale Selvicoltura e Piano di Riordino Forestale. Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi, Feltre

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates D, Maechler M, Bolker B, Walker S (2014) Package ‘lme4’, Version 1.1-7. http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/vegan/vegan.pdf

  • Bengtsson J, Nilsson SG, Franc A, Menozzi P (2000) Biodiversity, disturbances, ecosystem function and management of European forests. For Ecol Manag 132:39–50. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00378-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouget C, Nusillard B, Pineau X, Ricou C (2012) Effect of deadwood position on saproxylic beetles in temperate forests and conservation interest of oak snags. Insect Conserv Divers 5:264–278. doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2011.00160.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouget C, Larrieu L, Parmain G, Nusillard B (2013) In search of the best local habitat drivers for saproxylic beetle diversity in temperate deciduous forests. Biodivers Conserv 22:2111–2130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouget C, Parmain G, Gilg O, Noblecourt T, Nusillard B, Paillet Y, Pernot C, Larrieu L, Gosselin F (2014) Does a set aside conservation strategy help the restoration of old-growth forest attributes and recolonization by saproxylic beetles? Anim Conserv 17:342–353. doi:10.1111/acv.12101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-Blanquet J (1932) Plant sociology. Mc-Graw Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brin A, Bouget C, Valladares L, Brustel H (2013) Are stumps important for conservation of saproxylic beetles in managed forests? – Insights from a comparison of assemblages on logs and stumps in oak-dominated forests and pine plantations. Insect Conserv Divers 6:255–264. doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2012.00209.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunet J, Fritz Ö, Richnau G (2010) Biodiversity in European beech forests—a review with recommendations for sustainable forest management. Ecol Bull 53:77–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellani C, Scrinzi G, Tabacchi G, Tosi V (1984) Inventario forestale nazionale italiano (I.F.N.I.), Tavole di cubatura a doppia entrata. Istituto Sperimentale per l’Assestamento Forestale e per l’Alpicoltura, Trento

  • Cobb TP, Langor DW, Spence JR (2007) Biodiversity and multiple disturbances: boreal forest ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) responses to wildfire, harvesting, and herbicide. Can J For Res 37:1310–1323. doi:10.1139/X06-310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desender K, Maelfait J-P, Baert L (1991) Carabid beetles as ecological indicators in dune management (Coleoptera:Carabidae). Elytron 5(Suppl.):239–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H (1988) Vegetation ecology of Central Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H, Weber HE, Düll R, Wirth W, Werner W, Paulißen D (1991) Zeigerwerte von Pflanzen in Mitteleuropa. Scr Geobot 18:1–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller RJ, Oliver TH, Leather SR (2008) Forest management effects on carabid beetle communities in coniferous and broadleaved forests: implications for conservation. Insect Conserv Divers 1:242–252. doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2008.00032.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green P, Peterken GF (1997) Variation in the amount of dead wood in the woodlands of the Lower Wye Valley, UK in relation to the intensity of management. For Ecol Manag 98:229–238. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(97)00106-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grove JS (2002) Saproxylic insect ecology and the sustainable management of forests. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 33:1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedgren PO (2007) Early arriving saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) and parasitoids (Hymenoptera) in low and high stumps of Norway spruce. For Ecol Manag 241:155–161. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.01.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjältén J, Johansson T, Alinvi O, Danell K, Ball JP, Pettersson R, Gibb H, Hilszczański J (2007) The importance of substrate type, shading and scorching for the attractiveness of dead wood to saproxylic beetles. Basic Appl Ecol 8:364–376. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2006.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjältén J, Stenbacka F, Andersson J (2010) Saproxylic beetle assemblages on low-stumps, high-stumps and logs: implications for environmental effects of stump harvest. For Ecol Manag 260:1149–1155. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.07.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey JW, Hawes C, Pearce AJ, Ferris-Khan R, Jukes MR (1999) Relationships between insect diversity and habitat complexity in plantation forests. For Ecol Manag 113:11–21. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(98)00413-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonsell M, Hansson J (2011) Logs and stumps in clearcuts support similar saproxylic beetle diversity: implications for bioenergy harvest. Silva Fenn 45:1053–1064. doi:10.14214/sf.86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonsell M, Schroeder M, Weslien J (2005) Saproxylic beetles in high stumps of spruce: fungal flora important for determining the species composition. Scand J For Res 20:54–62. doi:10.1080/02827580510008211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kacprzyk M, Bednarz B (2014) The occurrence of bark beetles on cut Norway spruce branches left in managed stands relative to the foliage and bark area of the branch. J For Res. doi:10.1007/s10310-014-0449-y

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotze DJ, Brandmayr P, Casale A, Dauffy-Richard E, Dekoninck W, Koivula MJ, Lovei GL, Mossakowski D, Noordijk J, Paarmann W, Pizzolotto R, Saska P, Schwerk A, Serrano J, Szyszko J, Taboada A, Turin H, Venn S, Vermeulen R, Zetto T (2011) Forty years of carabid beetle research in Europe—from taxonomy, biology, ecology and population studies to bioindication, habitat assessment and conservation. Zookeys 100:55–148. doi:10.3897/zookeys.100.1523

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kotze DJ, O’Hara RB, Lehvävirta S (2012) Dealing with varying detection probability, unequal sample sizes and clumped distributions in count data. PLoS ONE 7:e40923. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040923

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kula E, Kajfosz R, Polívka J (2011) Cambioxylophagous fauna developing on logging residues of blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelmann). J For Sci 57:24–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Larrieu L, Cabanettes A, Delarue A (2012) Impact of silviculture on dead wood and on the distribution and frequency of tree microhabitats in montane beech-fir forests of the Pyrenees. Eur J For Res 131:773–786. doi:10.1007/s10342-011-0551-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lassauce A, Paillet Y, Jactel H, Bouget C (2011) Deadwood as a surrogate for forest biodiversity: meta-analysis of correlations between deadwood volume and species richness of saproxylic organisms. Ecol Indic 11:1027–1039. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.02.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavorel S, Grigulis K, McIntyre S, Williams NSG, Garden D, Dorrough J, Berman S, Quétier F, Thébault A, Bonis A (2008) Assessing functional diversity in the field—methodology matters! Funct Ecol 22:134–147. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01339.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemperiere G, Marage D (2010) The influence of forest management and habitat on insect communities associated with dead wood: a case study in forests of the southern French Alps. Insect Conserv Divers 3:236–245. doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2010.00094.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Linsley EG (1959) Ecology of cerambycidae. Annu Rev Entomol 4:99–138. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.04.010159.000531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magura T, Tothmeresz B, Elek Z (2003) Diversity and composition of carabids during a forestry cycle. Biodivers Conserv 12:73–85. doi:10.1023/A:1021289509500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall PI, Davis G, LeMay WM (2000) Using line intersect sampling for coarse woody debris. Vancouver Forest Region, BC Ministry of Forests, Nanaimo

    Google Scholar 

  • Martikainen P, Siitonen J, Kaila L, Punttila P (1996) Intensity of forest management and bark beetles in non-epidemic conditions: a comparison between Finnish and Russian Karelia. J Appl Entomol 120:257–264. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.1996.tb01603.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maser C, Anderson R, Cromack JK, Williams JT, Martin RE (1979) Dead and down woody material. In: Thomas JW (ed) Wildlife habitats in managed forests: the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, pp 78–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer H (1974) Wälder des Ostalpenraumes. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Motta R, Berretti R, Lingua E, Piussi P (2006) Coarse woody debris, forest structure and regeneration in the Valbona Forest Reserve, Paneveggio, Italian Alps. For Ecol Manag 235:155–163. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullen K, O’Halloran J, Breen J, Giller P, Pithon J, Kelly T (2008) Distribution and composition of carabid beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities across the plantation forest cycle—implications for management. For Ecol Manag 256:624–632. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.05.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller J, Bußler H, Kneib T (2008) Saproxylic beetle assemblages related to silvicultural management intensity and stand structures in a beech forest in Southern Germany. J Insect Conserv 12:107–124. doi:10.1007/s10841-006-9065-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller J, Noss RF, Bussler H, Brandl R (2010) Learning from a “benign neglect strategy” in a national park: response of saproxylic beetles to dead wood accumulation. Biol Conserv 143:2559–2569. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.06.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niemelä J, Spence JR, Spence DH (1992) Habitat associations and seasonal activity of ground-beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in central Alberta. Can Entomol 124:521–540. doi:10.4039/Ent124521-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niemelä J, Haila Y, Punttila P (1996) The importance of small-scale heterogeneity in boreal forests: variation in diversity in forest-floor invertebrates across the succession gradient. Ecography 19:352–368. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.1996.tb01264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niemelä J, Koivula M, Kotze DJ (2007) The effects of forestry on carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in boreal forests. J Insect Conserv 11:5–18. doi:10.1007/s10841-006-9014-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hara RB, Kotze DJ (2010) Do not log-transform count data. Methods Ecol Evol 1:118–122. doi:10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00021.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ódor P, Standovár T (2001) Richness of bryophyte vegetation in near-natural and managed beech stands: the effects of management-induced differences in dead wood. Ecol Bull 49:219–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Oksanen J, Blanchet FG, Kindt R, Legendre P, Minchin PR, O’Hara RB, Simpson GL, Solymos P, Stevens MHH, Wagner H (2013) Vegan: community ecology package. R package version 2.0-10. http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=vegan

  • Paillet Y, Bergès L, Hjältén J, Ódor P, Avon C, Bernhardt-Römermann M, Bijlsma RJ, De Bruyn L, Fuhr M, Grandin U, Kanka R, Lundin L, Luque S, Magura T, Matesanz S, Mészáros I, Sebastià MT, Schmidt W, Standovár T, Tóthmérész B, Uotila A, Valladares F, Vellak K, Virtanen R (2010) Biodiversity differences between managed and unmanaged forests: meta-analysis of species richness in Europe. Conserv Biol 24:101–112. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01399.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piussi P, Farrell EP (2000) Interactions between society and forest ecosystems: challenges for the near future. For Ecol Manag 132:21–28. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00376-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2013) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org. Accessed 16 Dec 2013

  • Rudinsky JA (1962) Ecology of scolytidae. Annu Rev Entomol 7:327–348. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.07.010162.001551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samways MJ (2007) Insect conservation: a synthetic management approach. Annu Rev Entomol 52:465–487. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.52.110405.091317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scarascia-Mugnozza G, Oswald H, Piussi P, Radoglou K (2000) Forests of the Mediterranean region: gaps in knowledge and research needs. For Ecol Manag 132:97–109. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00383-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schielzeth H (2010) Simple means to improve the interpretability of regression coefficients. Methods Ecol Evol 1:103–113. doi:10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00012.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlyter F, Lundgren U (1993) Distribution of a bark beetle and its predator within and outside old-growth forest reserves: no increase of hazard near reserves. Scand J For Res 8:246–256. doi:10.1080/02827589309382774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt W (2005) Herb layer species as indicators of biodiversity of managed and unmanaged beech forests. For Snow Landsc Res 79:111–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Siitonen J (2001) Forest management, coarse woody debris and saproxylic organisms: Fennoscandian boreal forests as an example. Ecol Bull 49:11–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Similä M, Kouki J, Martikainen P (2003) Saproxylic beetles in managed and seminatural Scots pine forests: quality of dead wood matters. For Ecol Manag 174:365–381. doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00061-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sitzia T, Trentanovi G (2011) Maggengo meadow patches enclosed by forests in the Italian Alps: evidence of landscape legacy on plant diversity. Biodivers Conserv 20:945–961. doi:10.1007/s10531-011-0006-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sitzia T, Semenzato P, Trentanovi G (2010) Natural reforestation is changing spatial patterns of rural mountain and hill landscapes: a global overview. For Ecol Manag 259:1354–1362. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.01.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sitzia T, Trentanovi G, Dainese M, Gobbo G, Lingua E, Sommacal M (2012) Stand structure and plant species diversity in managed and abandoned silver fir mature woodlands. For Ecol Manag 270:232–238. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2012.01.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sollins P (1982) Input and decay of coarse woody debris in coniferous stands in western Oregon and Washington. Can J For Res 12:18–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sroka K, Finch O-D (2006) Ground beetle diversity in ancient woodland remnants in north-western Germany (Coleoptera, Carabidae). J Insect Conserv 10:335–350. doi:10.1007/s10841-006-9008-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Susmel L (1958) Piano di riordinamento della proprietà silvo-pastorale Costantini in Val Tovanella (1958–1967). Azienda di Stato per le Foreste Demaniali, Belluno

    Google Scholar 

  • Taboada A, Kotze DJ, Tárrega R, Salgado JM (2006) Traditional forest management: do carabid beetles respond to human-created vegetation structures in an oak mosaic landscape? For Ecol Manag 237:436–449. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.09.077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taboada A, Kotze DJ, Tárrega R, Salgado JM (2008) Carabids of differently aged reforested pinewoods and a natural pine forest in a historically modified landscape. Basic Appl Ecol 9:161–171. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2007.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taboada A, Tarrega R, Calvo L, Marcos E, Marcos JA, Salgado JM (2010) Plant and carabid beetle species diversity in relation to forest type and structural heterogeneity. Eur J For Res 129:31–45. doi:10.1007/s10342-008-0245-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiele HU (1977) Carabid beetles in their environments. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Toïgo M, Paillet Y, Noblecourt T, Soldati F, Gosselin F, Dauffy-Richard E (2013) Does forest management abandonment matter more than habitat characteristics for ground beetles? Biol Conserv 157:215–224. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2012.07.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulyshen MD, Hanula JL (2009) Habitat associations of saproxylic beetles in the southeastern United States: a comparison of forest types, tree species and wood postures. For Ecol Manag 257:653–664. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.09.047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Väisänen R, Biström O, Heliövaara K (1993) Sub-cortical Coleoptera in dead pines and spruces: is primeval species composition maintained in managed forests? Biodivers Conserv 2:95–113. doi:10.1007/BF00056127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wagner CE (1982) Practical aspects of the line intersect method. Petawawa National Forestry Institute, Canadian Forest Service, Chalk River

    Google Scholar 

  • Varady-Szabo H, Buddle CM (2006) On the relationships between ground-dwelling spider (Araneae) assemblages and dead wood in a northern sugar maple forest. Biodivers Conserv 15:4119–4141. doi:10.1007/s10531-005-3369-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vuidot A, Paillet Y, Archaux F, Gosselin F (2011) Influence of tree characteristics and forest management on tree microhabitats. Biol Conserv 144:441–450. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.09.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winter S, Möller GC (2008) Microhabitats in lowland beech forests as monitoring tool for nature conservation. For Ecol Manag 255:1251–1261. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.10.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank P. Brandmayr and A. Casale for providing useful information on the life history of the carabid beetles collected. This project was supported by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, State Forestry Corps, within the framework of the research agreement No. 767/2008 with the University of Padova (scientific coordinator: TS). The authors express their thanks to A. Andrighetti and F. Viola for their support in coordinating the work. Finally, we thank the two anonymous reviewers for their detailed comments that have improved this manuscript considerably.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy

    T. Sitzia & T. Campagnaro

  2. Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, State Forestry Corps, Ufficio Territoriale per la Biodiversità, Via Gregorio XVI 8, 32100, Belluno, Italy

    E. Gatti & M. Sommacal

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    D. J. Kotze

Authors
  1. T. Sitzia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Campagnaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E. Gatti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Sommacal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. J. Kotze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Sitzia.

Additional information

Communicated by Jarmo Holopainen.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 103 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sitzia, T., Campagnaro, T., Gatti, E. et al. Wildlife conservation through forestry abandonment: responses of beetle communities to habitat change in the Eastern Alps. Eur J Forest Res 134, 511–524 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-015-0868-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-015-0868-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation