Assessing the Conservation Priority of Alpine Carabid Beetle Communities by Mapping the Index of Natural Value (INV) in Natura 2000 Habitats in the Brenta Dolomites (Italian Alps)

Alpine carabid beetle communities in the Brenta Dolomites exhibit heightened vulnerability to extinction at higher altitudes, particularly in limestone cliffs, screes, and alpine grasslands. This finding emerges from a study that mapped the Index of Natural Value (INV) across Natura 2000 habitats, revealing a positive correlation between vulnerability and altitude. The research used INV—a metric based on specialized species' frequencies—as a proxy for disturbance sensitivity. While alkaline fens hosted the least vulnerable communities, intermediate levels were observed in bush and forest habitats. This study underscores the critical conservation priority of high-altitude carabid beetle assemblages within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Peretti, E., Armanini, M., Chirichella, R., Mustoni, A., & Gobbi, M. (2025). Assessing the Conservation Priority of Alpine Carabid Beetle Communities by Mapping the Index of Natural Value (INV) in Natura 2000 Habitats in the Brenta Dolomites (Italian Alps). Insects, 16(6), 602. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060602