Hanging on by the tips of the tarsi: A review of the plight of the critically endangered saproxylic beetle in European forests

Horák, Jakub; Chobot, Karel; Hořáková, Jana

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2011.09.002

Cited by 24 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Yet, deadwood diversity has been recognized as a key factor for saproxylic beetle diversity in temperate deciduous forests (Bouget et al ., ) and other studies based on similar time frames have demonstrated significant responses of saproxylic beetle diversity to setting aside forest areas (Timonen et al ., ; Lassauce et al ., ). However, Horák, Chobot & Horáková () raised the question of the status of the rare species pool, deeply affected by commercial forestry in European multisecular managed forests. In our study (Table ), rare species were more abundant (but not more species‐rich) in forest reserves than in managed plots (in agreement with previous results by Lassauce et al ., and Hardersen, in Germany).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does a set-aside conservation strategy help the restoration of old-growth forest attributes and recolonization by saproxylic beetles?

Bouget

Parmain

Gilg³

et al. 2014

Anim Conserv

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The decline of many saproxylic species results from the decrease in old-growth structures in European harvested forests. Among conservation tools, protected reserves withdrawn from regular harvesting and extended rotations have been employed to restore old-growth attributes in structurally simplified managed forests, even if the effects of such management actions on forest habitats and biodiversity remain largely unknown.In this study, we compared structural stand features and saproxylic beetle assemblages in two stand classes -recently harvested stands and long-established reserves, where less or more than 30 years had elapsed since last harvest. Habitat and saproxylic beetle data were collected according to standardized protocols in 153 plots in seven lowland deciduous forests.Tangible contrasts in stand features were found between long-established reserves and recently harvested plots. Indeed, most higher-value densities and volumes were found in unharvested areas. The difference was weaker for microhabitat-bearing tree density than for deadwood; some deadwood features, such as volume of large downed and standing deadwood showed a very pronounced difference, thus indicating a marked deleterious effect of forest harvesting on these elements. Deadwood diversity, on the other hand, was only slightly affected and the level of stand openness did not change.The response of saproxylic beetles to delayed harvesting was weaker than the structural changes in deadwood features. Indeed even if only some guilds weakly increased in non-harvested plots, harvesting classes significantly affected the abundance of a quarter of the species tested.Our results tend to question measures such as rotating and temporarily ageing patches. We argue in favor of permanent strict fixed-location reserves. Future work should examine how stands recover old-growth forest attributes and how the associated saproxylic fauna colonizes in the long term. bs_bs_banner Animal Conservation. Print ISSN 1367-9430 Set-aside forests and saproxylic beetles C. Bouget et al. Set-aside forests and saproxylic beetles C. Bouget et al.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does a set-aside conservation strategy help the restoration of old-growth forest attributes and recolonization by saproxylic beetles?

Bouget

Parmain

Gilg³

et al. 2014

Anim Conserv

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“…This finding is especially important as saproxylic insects represent a large share of the total forest biodiversity (e.g. Müller et al 2008, Horak et al 2012) although many are elusive. Based on the current finding, we propose that at least some flagship species of this group are included in species monitoring programmes as their monitoring seems feasible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can we successfully monitor a population density decline of elusive invertebrates? A statistical power analysis on Lucanus cervus

Thomaes¹,

Verschelde²,

Mader³

et al. 2017

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Monitoring global biodiversity is essential for understanding and countering its current loss. However, monitoring of many species is hindered by their difficult detection due to crepuscular activity, hidden phases of the life cycle, short activity period and low population density. Few statistical power analyses of declining trends have been published for terrestrial invertebrates. Consequently, no knowledge exists of the success rate of monitoring elusive invertebrates. Here data from monitoring transects of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is used to investigate whether the population trend of this elusive species can be adequately monitored. Data from studies in UK, Switzerland and Germany were compiled to parameterize a simulation model explaining the stag beetle abundance as a function of temperature and seasonality. A Monte-Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the effort needed to detect a population abundance decline of 1%/year over a period of 12 years. To reveal such a decline, at least 240 1-hour transect walks on 40 to 100 transects need to be implemented in weekly intervals during warm evenings. It is concluded that monitoring of stag beetles is feasible and the effort is not greater than that which has been found for other invertebrates. Based on this example, it is assumed that many other elusive species with similar life history traits can be monitored with moderate efforts. As saproxylic invertebrates account for a large share of the forest biodiversity, although many are elusive, it is proposed that at least some flagship species are included in monitoring programmes.

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“…On the other hand, previous mass extinctions showed that global climatic and geological disturbances not influenced by humans also often produced low-diversity biota dominated by a few widespread, broadly adapted species (McKinney & Lockwood, 1999). Some species now prefer historical human land use and when traditional practice is modified or vanishes, the species decline (Horak et al, 2012). Some species now prefer historical human land use and when traditional practice is modified or vanishes, the species decline (Horak et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, not all aspects of human disturbance are harmful (Samways, 2007). Some species now prefer historical human land use and when traditional practice is modified or vanishes, the species decline (Horak et al, 2012). Several studies found that threatened insect fauna could find a habitat island in former heavily disturbed or, on the other hand, abandoned areas (Benes et al, 2003;Zimmermann et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Threatened or harmful? Opportunism across spatial scales apparently leads to success during extralimital colonisation

Horák

2016

Insect Conserv Diversity

Self Cite

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Various parts of the world face invasion of alien organisms. Nevertheless, the evidence for expansion of species that were close to extinction is close to zero. This story of the rose chafer beetle Oxythyrea funesta appears to be somewhat reminiscent of how in mythology the Phoenix rose from the ashes. Regarding this interesting situation, I struggled to find the drivers that were responsible for the abundance of this beetle across three spatial scales. This study, perhaps, reveals why a formerly relictual and threatened animal is able to colonise and increase its abundance in present landscapes. The study of the vegetation structure of the O. funesta microhabitat showed that it visited high plants in preference. Visitations of O. funesta took place on 20 plant species from ten families with four blossom colours with no specific preference. No difference was found among categories of adult behaviour at the patch level. Only rising flowering intensity of plants promoted species abundance at the regional level. Furthermore, the species was associated with generalist insects and reached higher abundance than some of them. Therefore, the studied beetle appeared to be a habitat opportunist rather than generalist and this made it an unexpected winner that thrives from present land use. Its visitation of flowering patches can be considered as a use of stepping stones. Unfortunately, rising amounts of flower damage by this species appears to be problematic for its conservation. Furthermore, the presence of this species on legally protected species lists highlights the need to determine its actual situation.

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Hanging on by the tips of the tarsi: A review of the plight of the critically endangered saproxylic beetle in European forests

Cited by 24 publications

References 45 publications

Does a set-aside conservation strategy help the restoration of old-growth forest attributes and recolonization by saproxylic beetles?

Does a set-aside conservation strategy help the restoration of old-growth forest attributes and recolonization by saproxylic beetles?

Can we successfully monitor a population density decline of elusive invertebrates? A statistical power analysis on Lucanus cervus

Threatened or harmful? Opportunism across spatial scales apparently leads to success during extralimital colonisation

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