Relationships between insect diversity and habitat characteristics in plantation forests

摘要

A methodological approach to the identification of biodiversity indicators in commercial plantation forest stands is illustrated by analysis of the relationships between syrphid (hover flies) and carabid (ground beetles) community composition and diversity, and stand structure and field layer vegetation. Data were collected from 12 commercial forest sites encompassing a range of climatic conditions and different crop types (Scots pine [Pinus sylvestris], Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis], Norway spruce [Picea abies] and Corsican pine [Pinus nigra var. maritima]) across the UK. Comparisons were also made between unmanaged semi-natural Scots pine woods and Scots pine plantations. For both syrphids and carabids, no differences in species richness and diversity were recorded between semi-natural stands and plantations; one rare syrphid considered to be restricted to semi-natural pine stands was also found in spruce plantations. Syrphid species diversity and richness was higher in southern spruce sitesthan in the northern sites. Northern sites had distinctive carabid communities, as did sites in the New Forest, a large ancient woodland in southern England. Of the measured habitat variables, vertical stand structure showed the best correlation with species richness and diversity of both carabids and syrphids. Richness and diversity were less in stands with high vertical cover values for canopy layers. Stands with higher field layer cover supported greater syrphid diversity, but lower carabid diversity. Measures of stand structure could be used as potential indicators of syrphid and carabid diversity, but additional habitat parameters also need to be tested.