Ground Beetle Assemblages in Tornado-Impacted Scots Pine Forests
Author Information
Author(s): Jarosław Skłodowski, Paulina Garbalińska
Primary Institution: Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Hypothesis
How do carabid assemblages change during six years following the tornado impact?
Conclusion
Carabid assemblages in tornado-impacted stands showed lower catch rates and different species compositions compared to control stands, indicating a lack of recovery during the six-year study period.
Supporting Evidence
- Carabid richness was 33% higher in disturbed stands compared to control stands.
- Forest species decreased significantly in disturbed stands over the study period.
- Eurytopic species increased in abundance in the disturbed stands from 2006 onwards.
Takeaway
After a tornado, the types of beetles in the forest changed a lot, with fewer forest beetles and more open-area beetles, and they didn't start to recover for a long time.
Methodology
The study compared carabid assemblages in tornado-impacted and control stands over six years using pitfall traps and calculated indices for biomass and species characteristics.
Limitations
The study only covers six years post-disturbance, and long-term recovery patterns beyond this period are not assessed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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