Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2008Peer reviewed

Forest fuel piles as ecological traps for saproxylic beetles in oak

Hedin, Jonas; Isacsson, Gunnar; Jonsell, Mats; Komonen, Atte

Abstract

Biodiversity management in broadleaved forests includes partial cutting to improve conditions for species that benefit from semi-open stand structure. The harvested wood is usually used as fuel and, therefore, it is stockpiled in situ for months before further processing. If such forest fuel piles attract saproxylic insects, they are likely to be ecological traps, because the settling cost for insects is death as the wood is chipped and used for energy. This study investigated beetle species composition in piles of oak wood in southern Sweden. Species density and frequency of occurrence were compared in wood with different diameters and at the top, middle and bottom parts of piles. A total of 39 species (six red-listed) and 3528 individual beetles emerged. The highest density of both individuals and species was in the top layer. No species was significantly more frequent in the middle or bottom layers. Diameter had only a limited effect on species density and individual species reproduced in both coarse and fine wood. In conclusion, forest fuel piles can be ecological traps for several uncommon and red-listed saproxylic beetles. The negative effects can be mitigated by removing the piles before the insects colonize them. If this is not possible, then the top layer should be retained.

Keywords

bioenergy; forest fuel; logging residues; oak; saproxylic; slash; restoration

Published in

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
2008, Volume: 23, number: 4, pages: 348-357 Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

      SLU Authors

      • UKÄ Subject classification

      Forest Science
      Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
      Renewable Bioenergy Research

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580802269991

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/18695