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Sammanfattning

Climate is a major driver of biodiversity at both large and small spatial scales. My research focuses on the diversity of saproxylic (= dead wood dependent) species across macro- and microclimatic gradients in both forested and urban areas. I sampled beetles, fungi, and bacteria from spruce logs placed out in production forests along a 1200 km latitudinal gradient in Sweden, and along shade gradients from sun-exposed to fully shaded logs. I also measured the decomposition rates of these logs. Additionally, I surveyed saproxylic beetles in wood mould boxes, which resemble hollow trees, along urban-rural gradients in six cities in southern Sweden. For beetles and bacteria, I found a latitudinal diversity gradient with a higher diversity in the south. Moreover, the diversity of saproxylic beetles and brown-rot fungi (a key functional group in decomposition) followed the “hydroclimatic compensation model”. This model suggests that the species’ habitat requirements can alter along a regional climatic gradient to maintain consistent microclimatic conditions. For brown-rot fungi, I found a positive relationship between fungal diversity and saproxylic beetle abundance, which indicates that beetles serve as dispersal vectors. Furthermore, I observed increasing decomposition rates with increasing regional temperature. Interestingly, in the south, high fungal diversity reduced decomposition rates – likely due to antagonistic interactions – especially when the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was high. In contrast, this effect was reversed in the north under the same conditions. In urban landscapes, saproxylic beetle diversity was positively associated with habitat amount, but negatively associated with dispersal barriers, such as roads and buildings. Generally, I found microclimate to be a strong driver for the saproxylic biodiversity. Therefore, I conclude that dead wood creation with varying microclimatic conditions is needed to promote saproxylic species with different thermal requirements, both in forests and urban areas.

Nyckelord

Microclimate; thermophilous; saproxylic; wood-inhabiting fungi; wood-inhabiting bacteria; veteran tree; wood decay; dead wood; dispersal

Publicerad i

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2025, nummer: 2025:56
Utgivare: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU författare

UKÄ forskningsämne

Ekologi

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.16kq42d7gs
  • ISBN: 978-91-8124-040-5
  • eISBN: 978-91-8124-086-3

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142457