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Research article2010Peer reviewed

Saproxylic beetle assemblages on low stumps, high stumps and logs: Implications for environmental effects of stump harvesting

Hjältén, Joakim; Stenbacka, Fredrik; Andersson, Jon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate how future harvesting of spruce low stumps as a renewable energy source, might influence the saproxylic (wood living) beetle fauna. Species richness, abundance and assemblages of saproxylic beetles were compared on low stumps, high stumps and logs of spruce on 10 clear-cuts in northern Sweden. The sampling was conducted with emergence traps and a total of 929 individuals and 120 species were collected. No significant differences in beetle abundance or species richness were detected between substrate types. However, there were clear differences in assemblage composition between all substrate types. Our results suggest that low stumps created at final felling support as many species and individuals per volume dead wood as other dead wood substrates and that they are therefore overlooked as substrates for wood living organisms. Consequently, harvesting of low stumps might have negative effects on the diversity of saproxylic beetles, as up to 80% of the dead wood remaining on clear-cuts is in the form of low stumps. Future studies should evaluate if compensatory measures can be performed to minimize negative impacts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Low stumps; High stumps; Stump harvesting; Saproxylic; Coleoptera; Biodiversity

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
2010, volume: 260, number: 7, pages: 1149-1155
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.07.003

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/59825