Are stumps important for the conservation of saproxylic beetles in managed forests? – Insights from a comparison of assemblages on logs and stumps in oak‐dominated forests and pine plantations

Abstract

Abstract. 1. The expanding interest in harvesting stumps for bioenergy may represent a potential threat to forest biodiversity. Whereas stumps are common in managed stands, knowledge of their associated saproxylic assemblages is still incomplete. 2. We used emergence traps to sample saproxylic beetle assemblages in oak and pine large‐diameter (>20 cm) logs and stumps and compared the assemblages from the two sources. 3. With 64–84.5% of the species pool in oak and pine, respectively, stumps definitely constituted a suitable substratum for many saproxylic species in managed forests. Higher species density suggested that stumps are more diverse habitats than logs. Stumps also host rare species and natural enemies of bark beetles. For both tree species, the assemblage composition was significantly different between logs and stumps. The dissimilarity between substratum types was predominantly due to turnover, especially for oak. 4. Our results revealed that not only do stumps constitute a substitute for some log‐dwelling species; they also provide a suitable breeding substratum for many species that may be at risk in case of massive exportation of stumps for bioenergy purposes.

Quantifying biodiversity impacts of climate change and bioenergy: the role of integrated global scenarios

“…The local negative impacts of energy harvesting of stumps and other residues have been well documented (Brin et al 2012;Jonsell and Hansson 2011;Jonsell et al 2007;Lassauce et al 2012;Sullivan et al 2011;Victorsson and Jonsell 2012;Å ström et al 2005; see Fig. 1).…”

“…Brin et al 2012; Danielsen et al 2009;Dhondt et al 2004;Fry and Slater 2011;Rowe et al 2011). Findings show that bioenergy impacts depend on the type of bioenergy (Harrison and Berenbaum 2012;Haughton et al 2009;Myers et al 2012;Questad et al 2011;Robertson et al 2011aRobertson et al , 2012Werling et al 2011), management activities (Myers et al 2012), reference habitat (Felten and Emmerling 2011;Questad et al 2011) and landscape structure Robertson et al 2011bRobertson et al , 2013; Fig.…”

Consequences of bioenergy wood extraction for landscape-level availability of habitat for dead wood-dependent organisms

“…fungi in areas within clearcuts: Toivanen et al, 2012; beetles per stump: Victorsson and Jonsell, 2013). However, removal of stumps and slash does not imply complete loss of habitat, since species using stumps and slash also use other dead wood types (Brin et al, 2013;H€ am€ al€ ainen et al, 2015). Furthermore, some stumps and slash are left after harvest (Victorsson and Jonsell, 2013;Fritts et al, 2014), and stumps and logging residues are not harvested at all clearcuts.…”

Saproxylic beetles on old hollow oaks (Quercusspp.) in a small isolated area in southern Turkey

“…BRIN & BRUSTEL 2006, BUSE et al 2008, JANSSON & COùKUN 2008, DA SILVA et al 2009). Only recently have studies of old oaks (Quercus spp.)…”