Forest stand structure and coarse woody debris determine the biodiversity of beetle communities in Mediterranean mountain beech forests

Beetle biodiversity in Mediterranean mountain beech forests is significantly influenced by forest stand structure and the abundance of coarse woody debris (CWD), according to a study conducted in two protected areas: Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park (GSML) and Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni National Park (CVDA). The research found that biodiversity indices for saproxylic and non-saproxylic beetle communities were positively correlated with CWD volume, fungal infections, clefts in the sapwood, and woodpecker cavities in GSML. In CVDA, beetle abundance was linked to basal area and crown broken microhabitats. The study employed standard measurements of forest structural traits, quantitative assessments of tree microhabitats and deadwood, and beetle collections using window flight traps and emergence traps. These findings underscore the importance of structural diversity and CWD in conserving beetle biodiversity, suggesting that increasing these elements could enhance conservation efforts in protected Mediterranean beech forests.

Parisi, F., Innangi, M., Tognetti, R., Lombardi, F., Chirici, G., & Marchetti, M. (2021). Forest stand structure and coarse woody debris determine the biodiversity of beetle communities in Mediterranean mountain beech forests. Global Ecology and Conservation, 28, e01637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01637