Impacts of non-native Norway spruce plantation on abundance and species richness of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

摘要

The impacts of non-native Norway spruce plantation on the abundanceand species richness of carabids were studied in the Bükk National Park inHungary, central Europe. Pitfall catches from recently established (5 yr old),young (15 yr after planting), middle-aged (30 yr after planting), old Norwayspruce Picea abies plantation (50 yr after planting), and a native submontanebeech forest (Fagetum sylvaticae) as a control stand were compared.Our results showed that deciduous forest species decreasedsignificantly in abundance in the plantations, and appeared in high abundanceonly in the native beech forest. Furthermore, open habitat species increasedremarkably in abundance in the recently established plantation. Carabids weresignificantly more abundant and species rich in the native forest than in theplantations, while differences were not significant among the plantations.Multiple regression between the abundance and species richness of carabids andtwelve environmental measurements showed that pH of the soil, herb cover anddensity of the carabids’ prey had a significant effect in determiningabundance and species richness.Ourresults showed that plantation of non-native Norway spruce species had adetrimental effect on the composition of carabid communities and noregeneration could be observed during the growth of plantations even 50 yrafter the establishment. This emphasises the importance of an active naturemanagement practice to facilitate the recolonization of the native species.