Ecological Guilds of Xylobiontic (Saproxylic) Beetles in Germany and Their Use in Landscape Ecological Surveys – A Methodical Standard

Abstract

This paper presents a method of standardised treatment of xylobiontic (saproxylic) beetles in studies of landscape ecology, founded on a substratum-oriented guild system.

To provide a basis the study defines the term “xylobiontic beetles” and provides a reference list of German xylobiontic beetles, listing the substratum-guild of each species. A distinction is drawn between indwellers of: 1. fresh deadwood (f), 2. old and to diverse extent rotten deadwood (a), 3. fungi on deadwood or fungiinfested deadwood (p), 4. rotholes (m), 5. species with other way of living in deadwood (s). This enables a comparative study of different forest stands and settings regarding deadwood resources and structures. The guild system primarily evaluates forest-ecological parameters like stand maturity, structural diversity, deadwood inventory and deadwood quality, summing up to the deadwood related total value of a stand.

This guild-system, however, not allows to properly assess historical aspects of a stand like faunal tradition, continuity of stock (tree species, microclimate, etc.), and stand history (cultivation etc.), as these can only be deducted by special indicator species (“primeval forest”-species, stenotopes, non-migratives, etc.). In order to cover this aspect each of the indicator species and other ecologically significant xylobiontic beetles are marked with a tag (“!”).

Based on a comparative analysis and on longterm experience the paper presents a methodical standard listing the families of xylobiontic beetles to be considered in landscape-ecological surveys focussing on evaluation, comparison and monitoring of forest stands. This standard enables to work with a reduced data set without considerable loss of information, allowing lower expenses and efforts regarding sampling and species identification and improving possibilities of comparison and analysis of surveys in different investigation areas and by different ecologists.

Fulltext

Ökologische Gilden xylobionter Käfer Deutschlands