Dead wood and saproxylic beetles

Abstract

The aim of my thesis was to examine the importance of veteran trees and dead wood for the biodiversity of entomofauna and the functions of dead wood in ecosystems. The
thesis is based on a excerption and review of literature and concentrates on 1) the decay of wood, 2) the jeopardy of the saproxylic organisms face due to the lack of high-quality dead wood in ecosystems, and 3) the ecology of saproxylic beetles. Moreover, thesis considers the causes of their threat level and proposes some principles of their  conservation.

Due to the profound effects of recent management, two thirds of the saproxylic organisms are unable to find their niche and are standing before the gate of extinction threat. The most well-known examples of such endangered beetles are, for instance, hermit beetles (Osmoderma spp.), the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), the stag beetle
(Lucanus cervus). The main goals solving the problems of insufficient habitats for the saproxylic species, it is necessary to start to realize one of the basic principles of species
protection, i.e. the care for a complex of the habitats of whole species. The families with high percentage of saproxylic species are, e.g., Buprestidae (jewel beetles),  Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles), Lucanidae (stag beetles) or Cucujidae (flat bark beetles).

The main contribution of my thesis is the systematic overview of key information provided by Czech literature detailing the dead wood problematic to recent time.

Keywords

biodiversity, beetles, tree fungus, habitat, tree cavity, nature conservation

Fulltext

Mrtvé dřevo a saproxyličtí brouci