We studied carabid beetle assemblages found in riparian black alder forests in the Sila plateau (Southern Apennines). These carabid assemblagesare characterized by a high incidence of endemic small-sized, low dispersal, highly stenotopic (hygrophilic), and trophycallyspecialized species. To evaluate the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on these insects, we compared carabid assemblage of an oldundisturbed forest (65-170y, wilderness landscape) with that of a younger, partly grazed stand (40-60y, cropland landscape). The carabidassemblage of the disturbed stand was characterized by a higher number of species, but showed a lower incidence of zoophagous specialistsand brachypterous beetles, with many species probably coming from an adjacent cropland. However, the disturbed stand maintainsalmost 80% of the core species found in the older forest, which suggests that these insects are not particularly sensitive to disturbancefactors represented by periodic wood harvesting and extensive cattle grazing.
Functional species traits of carabid beetles living in two riparian alder forests of the Sila plateau subject to different disturbance factors (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
Mazzei A;Bonacci T;PIZZOLOTTO, Roberto;BRANDMAYR, Pietro
2015-01-01
Abstract
We studied carabid beetle assemblages found in riparian black alder forests in the Sila plateau (Southern Apennines). These carabid assemblagesare characterized by a high incidence of endemic small-sized, low dispersal, highly stenotopic (hygrophilic), and trophycallyspecialized species. To evaluate the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on these insects, we compared carabid assemblage of an oldundisturbed forest (65-170y, wilderness landscape) with that of a younger, partly grazed stand (40-60y, cropland landscape). The carabidassemblage of the disturbed stand was characterized by a higher number of species, but showed a lower incidence of zoophagous specialistsand brachypterous beetles, with many species probably coming from an adjacent cropland. However, the disturbed stand maintainsalmost 80% of the core species found in the older forest, which suggests that these insects are not particularly sensitive to disturbancefactors represented by periodic wood harvesting and extensive cattle grazing.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.