Consequence of the transformation of a primeval forest into a managed forest for carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) - a case study from Białowieża (Poland)

A study comparing carabid beetle assemblages in Białowieża Primeval Forest and adjacent managed forest reveals that while species richness does not significantly differ between the two, primeval stands exhibit higher diversity (Shannon index) than managed ones. The research found that mesic (moderately moist) stands support more species regardless of forest type, with boggy primeval forests hosting greater carabid diversity than boggy managed forests. Soil fertility also plays a role, as highly fertile stands harbor more species. These findings suggest that the 80-year-old managed forest retains good habitat quality for carabid beetles, providing a strong argument for its conservation. The study used pitfall traps in plots differing in humidity and soil fertility to test hypotheses about the influence of stand type, humidity, and soil fertility on carabid assemblages.

SKŁODOWSKI, J. (2014). Consequence of the transformation of a primeval forest into a managed forest for carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) - a case study from Białowieża (Poland). European Journal of Entomology, 111(5), 639–648. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2014.088