Understory spider assemblages from a cloud forest in Chiapas,Mexico, and their relationships to environmental variables

Cloud forests have high ecological complexity, but their reduced area and exploitation by human communities, make them one of the most endangered ecosystems in Mexico. The spider assemblages of a cloud forest reserve in Chiapas, Mexico, were studied to analyze influence of environmental variables (forest stand structure, temperature and relative humidity) and their temporal variation, on the distribution, abundance, species richness and assemblage structure of spiders. Ten parcels were established for the sampling of spiders and the recording of forest and climatic variables. Spider sampling took place during the dry and rainy seasons. Vegetation data were recorded at the end of the study (except canopy cover, which was registered at the end of each season). Some differences were found among parcels in forest stand structure, but only the density of seedlings showed a high correlation with spider abundance, seemingly seedlings (by its size and architecture) offered numerous supports for the understory spiders’ webs and then promote the settlement of weaver spiders. Also there were some correspondences between the similarity patterns of forest structure and spider assemblages, giving some evidence of a forest structure influence on the integration of spiders’ assemblages. Spider abundance was notoriously higher in the dry season. Other environmental variables had only weak effects on spider variables (abundance and species richness) and assemblage structure. The most abundant families were Tetragnathidae, Theridiidae and Linyphiidae, which were also among the dominant families in other tropical cloud forests, with the latter two also being among the most diverse. As complex ecosystems, tropical cloud forests seem to have complicated interactions with their inhabitant animals, not easy to elucidate.     

Ground-dwelling spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) in fragmented old forests and surrounding managed forests in southern Finland

We studied the structure of spider assemblages in fragments of old coniferous forest in the southern Finnish taiga We sampled spiders with pitfall traps in the interiors and in the edges of the old-forest patches and in the surrounding managed forests We surveyed assemblages of ground-dwelling spiders and the relation of species to formerly mentioned three forest-habitat categories We analysed spider assemblages in relation to vegetation structure as well As in forest spiders there are no habitat specialists, no strict old-forest species were found However, the spider assemblages of old forests were different from those in the surrounding managed forests The difference was attributable to habitat differences, mainly to reduced tree-canopy cover in managed forests Large hunting-spider species (Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae) benefitted from clearcutting and other management measures, whereas the catches of small forest-living species (Linyphiidae) decreased in plantations and open forests The hunters colonized the edges of old-forest fragments, and were seldom found in the interior of old forest Size of old-forest fragment did not affect significantly the spider assemblage The results indicate that a buffer zone of mature forest with closed canopy should be left to surround the old-growth reserves in order to minimize the edge effect in the fragments     

Body size and tree species composition determine variation in prey consumption in a forest‐inhabiting generalist predator

Trophic interactions may strongly depend on body size and environmental variation, but this prediction has been seldom tested in nature. Many spiders are generalist predators that use webs to intercept flying prey. The size and mesh of orb webs increases with spider size, allowing a more efficient predation on larger prey. We studied to this extent the orb‐weaving spider Araneus diadematus inhabiting forest fragments differing in edge distance, tree diversity, and tree species. These environmental variables are known to correlate with insect composition, richness, and abundance. We anticipated these forest characteristics to be a principle driver of prey consumption. We additionally hypothesized them to impact spider size at maturity and expect shifts toward larger prey size distributions in larger individuals independently from the environmental context. We quantified spider diet by means of metabarcoding of nearly 1,000 A. diadematus from a total of 53 forest plots. This approach allowed a massive screening of consumption dynamics in nature, though at the cost of identifying the exact prey identity, as well as their abundance and putative intraspecific variation. Our study confirmed A. diadematus as a generalist predator, with more than 300 prey ZOTUs detected in total. At the individual level, we found large spiders to consume fewer different species, but adding larger species to their diet. Tree species composition affected both prey species richness and size in the spider''s diet, although tree diversity per se had no influence on the consumed prey. Edges had an indirect effect on the spider diet as spiders closer to the forest edge were larger and therefore consumed larger prey. We conclude that both intraspecific size variation and tree species composition shape the consumed prey of this generalist predator.     

Spider communities in urban green patches and their relation to local and landscape traits

Urbanization and urban landscape characteristics greatly alter plant and animal species richness and abundances in negative and positive directions. Spiders are top predators, often considered to be sensitive to habitat alteration. Studies in urban environments frequently focus on ground-dwelling spiders or on spiders in built structures, leaving aside foliage spiders. Effects of habitat, landscape type and structure and local characteristics on spider species composition, richness and relative abundance were evaluated in urban green patches in a temperate city of South America. We also assess whether Salticidae could be an indicator group for the broader spider community in the urban environment. Spiders were sampled with a G-VAC (aspirator) in urban green patches in Córdoba city, Argentina, in urban, suburban and exurban habitats (18 sites; six per habitat) and local and landscape traits were assessed. Overall, the exurban was richer than the urban habitat, however, at the site level Salticidae richness and abundance (but not the total spider assemblage) were significantly lower in urban sites. Species composition moderately differed between urban and exurban sites. Results indicate that on urban green spaces a low impervious surface cover, a coverage of trees, herbaceous vegetation and a vertical structure of vegetation at least up to 1 m in height contribute to higher richness and abundance of spiders, Salticidae being more sensitive than the overall spider community to local effects. In addition, Salticidae richness can predict 74% of the total spider richness recorded and may be used as spider diversity bio-indicators in this climatic region.     

Spider (Aranei) assemblages in bog-forest ecotone of the northern taiga subzone (Eastern Fennoscandia)

Soil-dwelling and ground spiders were studied in oligotrophic and mesotrophic bog-forest ecotones of the northern taiga (Eastern Fennoscandia) in 2005–2007. The number of spider species was greater in the forest as compared to the bog. The spider assemblages of the bogs and swampy forests was characterized by the prevalence of Lycosidae both in abundance and in species richness, whereas members of the family Linyphiidae prevailed in the forest. The species diversity of soil-dwelling spiders was lower in oligotrophic bogs than in mesotrophic ones. In all the bog-forest ecotones studied, the spider assemblages showed no edge effect (an increase in diversity and abundance), indicating a high degree of interpenetration of the spider complexes from adjacent ecosystems. Stenotopic spider species were not found in the ecotones studied either. The major ecological factors responsible for the specific features of spider assemblages in the biotopes studied are the temperature regime and soil humidity.     

Landscape heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales enhances spider species richness in an agricultural landscape

Landscape supplementation, which enhances densities of organisms by combination of different landscape elements, is likely common in heterogeneous landscapes, but its prevalence and effects on species richness have been little explored. Using grassland-dwelling spiders in an agricultural landscape, we postulated that richness and abundances of major constituent species are both highest in intermediate mixtures of forests and paddy fields, and that this effect derives from multi-scale landscape heterogeneity. We collected spiders in 35 grasslands in an agricultural landscape in Japan and determined how species richness and abundances of major species related to local and landscape factors across different spatial scales. We used a generalized linear model to fit data, created all possible combinations of variables at 15 spatial scales, and then explored the best models using Akaike's information criterion. Species richness showed a hump-shaped pattern in relation to surrounding forest cover, and the spatial scale determining this relationship was a 300–500-m radius around the study sites. Local variables were of minor importance for species richness. Abundances of major species also exhibited a hump-shaped pattern when plotted against forest cover. Thus, a combination of paddy fields and forests is important for enhancement of grassland spider species richness and abundance, suggesting habitat supplementation. The effective spatial scales determining abundances varied, ranging from 200 to >1000 m, probably representing different dispersal abilities. Landscape compositional heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales may be thus crucial for the maintenance of species diversity.     

Immediate and longer-term effects of managed flooding on floodplain invertebrate assemblages in south-eastern Australia: generation and maintenance of a mosaic landscape

1. We compared assemblages of ground‐active, terrestrial beetles and spiders from different areas of river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis floodplain forest in subhumid, south‐eastern Australia before and for 2 years following a managed flood to determine whether the Flood Pulse Concept is an appropriate ecological model for this regulated, lowland river‐floodplain system. 2. Immediately following flooding, the abundance, species richness and biomass of beetles were greatest at sites that had been inundated for the longest period (approximately 4 months). The abundance, species richness and biomass of spiders were not reduced at sites that were flooded for 4 months compared with unflooded or briefly flooded areas. Sites recently flooded for several months had high densities of predatory, hygrophilic beetles (Carabidae) and spiders (Lycosidae). 3. Over the 2 years following the flood, beetles generally were more abundant at sites that had been inundated for longer. At all sampling times, the species richness of beetles at sites increased with the length of time sites were inundated, even before the flood. Neither the abundance nor species richness of spiders was related to duration of flooding. 4. The structure of beetle and spider assemblages at sites that were flooded for different lengths of time did not appear to converge monotonically over the 2 years after the flood. 5. Managed flooding promotes diversity of beetles and spiders both by providing conditions that create a ‘pulse’ in populations of hygrophilic specialists in the short term, and by creating subtle, persistent changes in forest‐floor conditions. Despite its monotypic canopy, river red gum floodplain forest is a habitat mosaic generated by differing inundation histories.     

Natural vegetation cover in the landscape and edge effects: differential responses of insect orders in a fragmented forest

Human activities have led to global simplification of ecosystems, among which Neotropical dry forests are some of the most threatened. Habitat loss as well as edge effects may affect insect communities. Here, we analyzed insects sampled with pan traps in 9 landscapes (at 5 scales, in 100–500 m diameter circles) comprising cultivated fields and Chaco Serrano forests, at overall community and taxonomic order level. In total 7043 specimens and 456 species of hexapods were captured, with abundance and richness being directly related to forest cover at 500 m and higher at edges in comparison with forest interior. Community composition also varied with forest cover and edge/interior location. Different responses were detected among the 8 dominant orders. Collembola, Hemiptera, and Orthoptera richness and/or abundance were positively related to forest cover at the larger scale, while Thysanoptera abundance increased with forest cover only at the edge. Hymenoptera abundance and richness were negatively related to forest cover at 100 m. Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera were more diverse and abundant at the forest edge. The generally negative influence of forest loss on insect communities could have functional consequences for both natural and cultivated systems, and highlights the relevance of forest conservation. Higher diversity at the edges could result from the simultaneous presence of forest and matrix species, although “resource mapping” might be involved for orders that were richer and more abundant at edges. Adjacent crops could benefit from forest proximity since natural enemies and pollinators are well represented in the orders showing positive edge effects.     

Effect of forestry on the abundance and diversity of arboreal spiders in the boreal spruce forest

Spiders were sampled from spruce branches during late winter in northern Sweden, to investigate the effects of forestry on the community structure of arboreal spiders. Five lichen-rich, natural spruce Picea abies forests and adjacent mature, selectively-logged lichen-poor forests were selected as sample sites. Lichen-rich forests had over three times more spiders on the branches than the lichen-poor forests. The spider community was dominated by web spinners, i.e. the families Linyphiidae. Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Theridiidae. Hunters, i.e. Philodromidae and Clubionidae. comprised < 3% of the individuals and > 82% of all spiders were juveniles.
Among the dominant species, only the orb-weaver Araneus nordmanni was found in all sites whereas the sheet-web spider Lepthyphantes suffusus was found in all five lichen-rich forests but only in two of the lichen-poor. Both species composition and dominance differed from spider communities in southern boreal spruce canopies. Small prey items, severe abiotic conditions and high predation pressure from birds are possible reasons why web spiders dominate the arboreal community in northern Sweden. These factors could also explain the observed shift in dominance from sheet-web spiders with large body size to those with a small body size, compared with arboreal spider communities in southern boreal forests.
Diversity indices (jack-knifing of Simpson index and Q statistic) showed a higher diversity of spiders in lichen-rich than in lichen-poor forests. The lichen-rich forest had more species and less dominance, in both rank abundance and the Berger-Parker index of dominance. However, rarefaction plots indicated no differences besides lower abundance of spiders on sampled branches in lichen-poor forests. It is suggested, that habitat structure (branch size and epiphytic lichen abundance) could be an explanation for the greater number of spiders in old, lichen-rich spruce forests.     

Spider diversity in epiphytes: Can shade coffee plantations promote the conservation of cloud forest assemblages?

Cloud forests (CF) are disappearing due to anthropogenic causes such as cultivation. A characteristic feature of the CF is that a high proportion of its biomass occurs in the form of epiphytes, which are vital microhabitats to canopy dwelling arthropods. Coffee plantations overlap with CF and replace them. Epiphytes are abundant in shade coffee (SC) plantations and therefore these plants are an appropriate background for comparing the diversity between these systems. Spiders are understudied in canopies, and since they are major predators and their communities are highly sensitive to environmental changes, they can be used to test the similarity between habitats. We conducted a diversity assay of spiders living in epiphytes in cloud forest fragments and SC plantations, to test the hypothesis that SC plantations function as refugia. We manually sampled epiphytes within the canopy of two coffee plantations and two fragments of cloud forest in central Veracruz, Mexico. Our results show that SC plantations account for higher spider abundance and species richness than cloud forest fragments, there is little overlap between the species found in both systems, and the range of distribution and the guild structure of the spider assemblages between both systems is similar. As there were no significant differences between cloud forest fragments and SC plantations in terms of spider species assemblages, species distribution and guild structure the epiphytes from the SC plantations can be consider a refuge for the spider fauna from the surrounding cloud forest fragments. Epiphyte load and tree height are important factors driving the differentiation at community level, between sites and habitats. Bromeliads harbored more spiders than the other types of epiphytes, and since these plants are frequently removed by farmers or extracted for commercial and religious purposes, we suggest that preserving epiphytes in coffee plantations and cloud forest fragments could aid in the conservation of spiders.     

The influence of variation in litter habitats on spider communities

Summary Spider communities were sampled over an artificial gradient of litter depth (created by raking) and compared to those of two other forests exhibiting natural variation in litter depth. More species of spiders were present in areas of greater depth and/or complexity in all sites. Relative abundance of Lycosidae decreased, while relative abundance of Clubionidae, Thomisidae and Gnaphosidae increased over gradients of increasing depth and complexity. Similarity of species composition between areas within a forest was related to site differences in litter depth and structure.As litter depth increased, there were significant changes in prey species richness, litter complexity, and microclimate. Partial correlation analysis of grouped data from early-, mid-, and late season suggests that influential factors change with season. In the early season, prey abundance and temperature variation account for most of the variation in spider species richness. In mid-season, litter complexity and moisture fluctuations appear to influence richness, with complexity relatively more important. In late season, complexity and temperature range were the primary factors, with temperature relatively more influential. The relative importance of these factors in influencing community structure of spiders is discussed.     

A functional relationship between species richness of spiders and lichens in spruce

Modern forestry has created stands with even age distribution of trees and fragmentation of the habitat. In boreal forests, the effects on biodiversity within many taxa need to be examined. We tested the hypothesis that species richness of foliose and fruticose lichens and spiders is positively related in the lower canopy of spruce (Picea abies) in forests with, or without, management in central Sweden. High species richness of lichens may increase the structural complexity of the microhabitat on spruce branches, and bring a higher species richness also in the spider community. In six areas, spruce branches were sampled in old-growth and managed boreal forest stands, respectively. Forest management did not affect the species richness of spiders or lichens, but an effect due to sampling area was found in the latter taxon. There was a significant covariation between species richness of lichens and spiders, and the hypothesised positive correlation was confirmed by separate analyses for each area and combining the probabilities. Moreover, regression analysis on mean values from each site revealed a positive relationship. We conclude that species richness of lichens and spiders covary on spruce branches for functional reasons, i.e. more lichen species promotes a more diverse spider community by increasing the structural heterogeneity. Our results might provide a shortcut for assessing biodiversity in boreal forests.     

Communities of ground-living spiders in deciduous forests: Does tree species diversity matter?

The relationships between species diversity and ecosystem functions are in the focus of recent ecological research. However, until now the influence of species diversity on ecosystem processes such as decomposition or mineral cycling is not well understood. In deciduous forests, spiders are an integral part of the forest floor food web. In the present study, patterns of spider diversity and community structure are related to diversity of deciduous forest stands in the Hainich National Park (Thuringia). In 2005, pitfall trapping and quantitative forest floor sampling were conducted in nine plots of forest stands with one (Diversity Level 1), three (DL 2) and five (DL 3) major deciduous tree species. Species richness, measured with both methods, as well as spider abundance in forest floor samples were highest in stands with medium diversity (DL 2) and lowest in pure beech stands (DL 1). The Shannon-Wiener index and spider numbers in pitfall traps decreased from DL 1 to DL 3, while the Shannon-Wiener index in forest floor samples increased in the opposite direction. Spider community composition differed more strongly between single plots than between diversity levels. Altogether, no general relationship between increasing tree species diversity and patterns of diversity and abundance in spider communities was found. It appears that there is a strong influence of single tree species dominating a forest stand and modifying structural habitat characteristics such as litter depth and herb cover which are important for ground-living spiders.     

Distribution of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) across a forest-grassland ecotone in southwestern China

This paper studied the occurrence of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the forest edge, the adjacent forest interior, and the surrounding grassland in southwestern China. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps along five replicated transects. Forest species rarely penetrated into the grassland from the forest interior, and the grassland specialists were not found in the forest interior. The forest edge hosted additional species from the adjacent grassland that increased its overall species richness. Nearly all forest species (23 of 24 species) and grassland species (13 of 15 species) can be found in the forest edge. Carabids of the forest edge were more similar to those of the forest interior than to those of the grassland by ordination and cluster analysis. Based on the specificity and fidelity, carabids can be distinguished into five species groups: habitat generalists, grassland-associated species, forest generalists, forest specialists, and edge-associated species. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that canopy cover and/or shrub cover were the most important factors in determining the richness, abundance, and diversity of carabids. The forest edge may serve as a transition zone for dispersal and re-colonization of carabid beetles from adjacent habitats and therefore is important for natural conservation.     

The effects of habitat parameters and forest age on the ground dwelling spiders of lowland poplar forests (Hungary)

Forest management has highly modified the structure of the European forests. Harvesting and post-harvest regeneration leads to a simplified forest structure. Our main objective was to detect the effects of habitat structure and forest age on the ground-dwelling spider diversity and assemblage composition of poplar forests at the Hungarian Great Plain. Our results demonstrate that the rarefaction diversity and the number of forest specialists closely correlated with the structural parameters of the forest floor, however, the age and canopy closure did not influence these parameters. According to redundancy analysis, the composition of spider assemblages was determined solely by habitat structure, with habitat structure having a major effect on the species composition and diversity of spider assemblages. A direct effect of forest age on the spider assemblages was not detected, due to the presence of different habitat types in the surrounding landscape, which may serve as suitable habitats for source-populations of spiders with different habitat requirements. Our results highlight the importance structural complexity of forests for maintaining forest spider diversity and preserving the regional species pool of spiders.     

Diversity of canopy and understorey spiders in north-temperate hardwood forests

1 We characterized and compared diversity patterns of canopy and understorey spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) on sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) in hardwood forests of southern Québec, Canada.
2 We sampled canopies of 45 sugar maple and 45 American beech trees and associated understorey saplings in mature protected forests near Montréal. Samples were obtained by beating the crown foliage at various heights and by beating saplings around each tree.
3 Eighty-two species were identified from 13 669 individuals. Forty-eight species and 3860 individuals and 72 species and 9809 individuals were collected from the canopy and the understorey, respectively.
4 Multivariate analyses (NMDS ordination and NPMANOVA) showed the composition of canopy and understorey assemblages differed significantly, and canopy assemblages differed between tree species. Rank-abundance distribution models fitted to the canopy and understorey data indicated that different mechanisms structure the assemblages in both habitats. Three abundant spider species were significantly more common in the canopy; ten species were collected significantly more often in the understorey.
5 The forest canopy was shown to be an important reservoir for spider diversity in north-temperate forests.     

Spider community responses to grassland restoration: balancing trade‐offs between abundance and diversity

Spiders (Araneae) play key roles in ecosystems, not only as common and abundant generalist predators, but also as major contributors to biodiversity in many areas. In addition, due to their short generation times and high mobility, spiders respond rapidly to small changes in their environment, potentially making them useful indicators for restoration monitoring. However, few studies have focused on spider responses to grassland restoration in the United States. We compared degraded, native, and restored grassland sites to examine how spider communities and habitat respond to arid grassland restoration. We also examined how responses varied with the age of the restoration project. Spider communities in native sites differed from those in restored and degraded sites in several ways: native sites had fewer spiders and a different community composition than degraded and restored sites. However, native and restored sites had more species than degraded sites. Chronosequence data showed trends for lower abundance, higher species richness, and changing community composition as restoration projects mature. Several habitat variables were closely linked to variation in spider communities including cover of invasive annual grasses, litter, and biological soil crusts. Our data suggest that spider and vegetation responses to grassland restoration efforts can be successful in the long term—with resulting communities becoming more similar to native ones—and that spiders are useful indictors of grassland restoration. Our results also suggest that restoration may involve balancing trade‐offs between ecosystem services, with potential losses in predatory control offset by increases in biodiversity with restoration effort.     

Tree diversity promotes generalist herbivore community patterns in a young subtropical forest experiment

Stand diversification is considered a promising management approach to increasing the multifunctionality and ecological stability of forests. However, how tree diversity affects higher trophic levels and their role in regulating forest functioning is not well explored particularly for (sub)tropical regions. We analyzed the effects of tree species richness, community composition, and functional diversity on the abundance, species richness, and beta diversity of important functional groups of herbivores and predators in a large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in south-east China. Tree species richness promoted the abundance, but not the species richness, of the dominant, generalist herbivores (especially, adult leaf chewers), probably through diet mixing effects. In contrast, tree richness did not affect the abundance of more specialized herbivores (larval leaf chewers, sap suckers) or predators (web and hunting spiders), and only increased the species richness of larval chewers. Leaf chemical diversity was unrelated to the arthropod data, and leaf morphological diversity only positively affected oligophagous herbivore and hunting spider abundance. However, richness and abundance of all arthropods showed relationships with community-weighted leaf trait means (CWM). The effects of trait diversity and CWMs probably reflect specific nutritional or habitat requirements. This is supported by the strong effects of tree species composition and CWMs on herbivore and spider beta diversity. Although specialized herbivores are generally assumed to determine herbivore effects in species-rich forests, our study suggests that generalist herbivores can be crucial for trophic interactions. Our results indicate that promoting pest control through stand diversification might require a stronger focus on identifying the best-performing tree species mixtures.     

宁夏黄土丘陵区不同生态恢复生境地表甲虫多样性

为了解宁夏黄土丘陵区不同生境地表甲虫群落多样性变化规律及与环境因子的关系, 并探讨不同生态恢复措施对维持地表甲虫群落多样性的影响, 2013年7-8月, 作者利用陷阱法调查了该区6种生境内的地表甲虫群落多样性。结果表明: 灌草混交林地、乔灌混交林地、生态薪炭林地中地表甲虫物种丰富度和个体数量均较高, 天然封育草地、生态经济林地和水平农田中物种丰富度较低, 生态经济林地和水平农田中甲虫个体数量显著高于天然封育草地。不同生境间, 灌草混交林地、乔灌混交林地与生态薪炭林地之间、生态经济林地与水平农田之间甲虫群落组成相似性较高。多元回归分析表明, 草本层生物量、灌木层盖度及土壤含水量是影响甲虫物种丰富度的决定因素, 林冠层盖度和枯落物厚度是决定地表甲虫个体数量的重要因素。CCA分析表明, 枯落物盖度、枯落物厚度、林冠层盖度及草本层盖度是影响地表甲虫群落组成的重要环境因子。研究表明, 灌草混交林地为地表甲虫群落多样性维持较好的生境类型, 是宁夏黄土丘陵区典型生态恢复的最优模式。     

Native and introduced land snail species as ecological indicators in different land use types in Java

We investigated the effects of different land use types and environmental parameters on the number and abundance of native and introduced land snail species in East Java. 2919 specimens were sampled and assigned to 55 species of which 8 are introduced. Whereas species richness was highest in primary forest, the highest number of introduced species was found in agroforest. The snail assemblages in different habitat types differ much clearer in composition than in total species richness. Plantations and agroforest are dominated by introduced pulmonates with regard to number of individuals, while primary forest is dominated by native prosobranchs. The habitat requirements of the introduced pulmonates differ from those of the native species. In the study area, the abundance of native as well as introduced pulmonate species increased with increasing human impact. However, the abundance of introduced pulmonate species decreased with increasing density of the canopy cover, whereas the abundance of native pulmonate species increased with increasing canopy cover. The abundance of native prosobranch land snails also tends to increase with increasing canopy cover and with the availability of deadwood, but decreased with increasing human impact. Improving the canopy cover and retaining deadwood in plantations and agroforests might help to control the populations of introduced species or even prevent their establishment in these habitats. Land snails are good indicators for the long-term stability of natural habitats, because several species are restricted to undisturbed natural habitats and because of their low dispersal abilities. However, complete inventories of land snail species are costly. Therefore we propose two indices that can be scored with much less effort, namely the percentage of prosobranch individuals and the percentage of individuals of introduced species. Both indices are significantly correlated with the number of native species. Dense plantations and agroforests bordering primary forests may protect the latter from introduced species and help to conserve the native fauna by reducing desiccation and buffering the human impact on the primary forests.