TY  - JOUR
A1  - Vogel, Sebastian
A1  - Bussler, Heinz
A1  - Finnberg, Sven
A1  - Müller, Jörg
A1  - Stengel, Elisa
A1  - Thorn, Simon
T1  - Diversity and conservation of saproxylic beetles in 42 European tree species: an experimental approach using early successional stages of branches
T2  - Insect Conservation and Diversity
N2  - Tree species diversity is important to maintain saproxylic beetle diversity in managed forests. Yet, knowledge about the conservational importance of single tree species and implications for forest management and conservation practices are lacking.
We exposed freshly cut branch‐bundles of 42 tree species, representing tree species native and non‐native to Europe, under sun‐exposed and shaded conditions for 1 year. Afterwards, communities of saproxylic beetles were reared ex situ for 2 years. We tested for the impact of tree species and sun exposure on alpha‐, beta‐, and gamma‐diversity as well as composition of saproxylic beetle communities. Furthermore, the number of colonised tree species by each saproxylic beetle species was determined.
Tree species had a lower impact on saproxylic beetle communities compared to sun exposure. The diversity of saproxylic beetles varied strongly among tree species, with highest alpha‐ and gamma‐diversity found in Quercus petraea. Red‐listed saproxylic beetle species occurred ubiquitously among tree species. We found distinct differences in the community composition of broadleaved and coniferous tree species, native and non‐native tree species as well as sun‐exposed and shaded deadwood.
Our study enhances the understanding of the importance of previously understudied and non‐native tree species for the diversity of saproxylic beetles. To improve conservation practices for saproxylic beetles and especially red‐listed species, we suggest a stronger incorporation of tree species diversity and sun exposure of into forest management strategies, including the enrichment of deadwood from native and with a specific focus on locally rare or silviculturally less important tree species.
KW  - deadwood
KW  - deadwood enrichment
KW  - decay
KW  - forest management
KW  - host specificity
Y1  - 2021
UR  - https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/21840
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218401
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
SP  - 132
EP  - 143
ER  -