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The influence of forest regrowth, original canopy cover and tree size on saproxylic beetles associated with old oaks

Abandoned management has caused many sites with free-standing, large oaks ( Quercus robur) to become more shaded. This study shows how forest regrowth affects beetle species associated with old oaks in south-eastern Sweden. Beetles were trapped by pitfall traps placed in hollows and window traps pla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological conservation 2000-08, Vol.95 (1), p.85-94
Main Authors: Ranius, Thomas, Jansson, Nicklas
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abandoned management has caused many sites with free-standing, large oaks ( Quercus robur) to become more shaded. This study shows how forest regrowth affects beetle species associated with old oaks in south-eastern Sweden. Beetles were trapped by pitfall traps placed in hollows and window traps placed near hollows in oak trunks in pasture woodlands. We assessed the influence of forest regrowth, tree size and original canopy cover on the species richness of saproxylic beetles (a total of 120 species identified) and the occurrence of 68 saproxylic beetle species in particular. Species richness was greatest in stands with large, free-standing trees. Large girth as well as low canopy cover increased frequency of occurrence for several species. Forest regrowth was found to be detrimental for many beetle species. As most localities with endangered beetles living in old oaks are small and isolated, ongoing management and the restoration of abandoned pasture woodlands should have a high priority in nature conservation.
ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00007-0