不同土地利用方式对河北坝上步甲物种多样性的影响

为了探讨土地利用方式对步甲物种多样性的影响及其与环境因子的关系, 于2009年5-10月利用巴氏罐法, 对河北坝上塞北管理区内的灌草丛、马铃薯地、苜蓿地、围封草地、中度放牧草地和重度放牧草地6种生境的步甲进行了系统调查。结果表明: （1）共捕获步甲标本10 804号, 计10属18种, 其中强足通缘步甲Pterostichus fortipes、侧步甲Carabus latreillei和双斑猛步甲Cymindis binotata占优势, 个体数分别占总数的67.5%, 7.53%和7.06%。（2）苜蓿地中的步甲密度、物种丰富度、Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和均匀度指数均较高, 其他样地较低。（3）聚类分析结果显示, 不同生境的步甲群落相似性与受干扰强度和土地利用方式一致。（4）步甲主要在6-9月活动, 高峰期为7-8月。各物种在不同土地利用方式生境内的季节变化趋势与不同生境植被生长季节相关, 步甲个体数量随着植物生物量的增加而增加。强足通缘步甲Pterostichus fortipes高峰期大多出现在植物生长旺盛的7月, 仅围封草地内的高峰出现在8月; 双斑猛步甲Cymindis binotata的高峰期出现在8-9月。（5）典范对应分析表明, 土壤含水量、土壤温度、植物盖度、植物生物量及植株高度是影响步甲群落组成的重要环境因子。结论认为, 不同土地利用方式对环境的干扰影响了步甲赖以生存的生境, 进而影响了其物种的组成和数量分布格局。     

应用景观生态学原理评价鼎湖山自然保护区功能区划的实施与调整

景观生态学的发展为自然保护区的规划和管理注入了新的活力.鼎湖山自然保护区是我国第一个自然保护区,其建立之初景观生态学还不够完善,原功能区（核心区、缓冲区、过渡区）边界划分不尽合理,如核心区与过渡区直接相连、缓冲区干扰甚重等.2001年鼎湖山自然保护区管理局对保护区功能区规划进行了局部调整.本文在探讨保护区15年间（1985-2000）各功能区植被景观变化的基础上,应用景观生态学方法对原功能区规划及管理进行了评估,并通过景观相似性系数度量了新旧区划方案中各功能区植被分布的相似性,对新功能区规划实施的可行性进行了初步评价.研究结果表明,原功能区划下各功能区的植被景观皆按顺向演替方向发展,十几年来植被的形状变得更不规则.各功能区由于原有植被状况和人为干扰程度的不同,植被景观变化亦呈现明显差异,其中核心区和过渡区的植被景观趋于集中和连续;缓冲区因为受到旅游活动的严重干扰,植被景观相对破碎.2001年调整后的功能区规划保证了核心区植被景观的完整性,与原功能区规划相比,各功能区植被景观相似性系数为：核心区＞过渡区＞缓冲区.建议将增设的缓冲区作为保护区实现和开展真正意义上的生态旅游示范区,新开辟的科普旅游路线还可对游客量进行一定分流,缓解原有缓冲区游客过多的现状.     

基于不可替代性的青海省三江源地区保护区功能区划研究

具有代表性、灵活性、综合性的保护区功能区划指标是决定区域划分合理与否的关键因素。不可替代性是近年来引入生物多样性保护规划的新概念,表达一个规划单元在实现整体保护目标中的重要性,能够反映生物多样性保护价值的空间分异规律,将其与人类活动干扰指数结合,可以在划分不同值域与功能分区之间建立联系。在系统保护规划框架下,首先根据三江源生物多样性特征确定了研究区域的指示物种和优先保护生态系统,然后结合物种生境特性,利用地理信息系统（GIS）技术进行了指示物种潜在分布范围预测,最后借助生物多样性保护规划软件（C-Plan）计算了三江源地区不可替代性指数,结合人类活动干扰进行了功能区划分,并对比了现有功能区划与新功能区划的贡献率。研究结果表明,不可替代性较高区域与原核心区空间分布基本一致（包括东部中铁、军功、麦秀森林灌丛区;西部索加、曲麻莱湖泊湿地区,高寒草甸区;北部扎陵湖、鄂陵湖、星星海湿地区;及南部玉树、囊谦森林灌丛区,当曲沼泽湿地区）;在保护区总面积未增加条件下,基于不可替代性的新功能区划较原功能区划的保护贡献率及保护效率有显著提高,核心区保护贡献率由61.20%增长到71.21%,新核心区 缓冲区总贡献率由77.57%增长到92.45%,保护区整体贡献率由91.20%增长到95.40%;从保护对象被保护情况看,新功能区划与原功能区划均能完全涵盖所有保护对象,但新功能区所包含的满足保护目标的保护对象明显增多,原功能区核心区,核心区 缓冲区,核心区 缓冲区 实验区完全实现目标的保护对象分别占27.50%,47.50%和80%,新功能区分别为32.50%,77.50%和87.50%（新功能区划下,只有苔草草甸、冰川雪山、湖泊3种生态系统类型和盘羊、黑颈鹤两个动物物种未达到保护目标）。在本研究基础上,讨论了该研究的意义、方法评价及现实问题,并提出三江源自然保护区功能区划调整建议：1）结合实际情况,基于不可替代性和人类活动的功能区划对现功能区划进行适当调整以增加保护区的保护贡献率;2）对于缓冲区中保护价值较高、人类活动干扰又较强的区域应进行严格的管理,制定完善的管理策略,避免因人类活动引起生物多样性丧失;3）鉴于当地经济发展需求,可以考虑在本研究确定的实验区及其外围开展水电站与矿产开发项目,但必须考虑开发项目对周围水域、植被及居民的影响。以期为三江源自然保护区功能区划的调整及资源开发提供参考,对三江源生物多样性的保护具有重要意义。     

无量山国家级自然保护区药用维管植物资源多样性研究

以景东无量山国家级自然保护区为对象,通过样地调查、标本鉴定和查阅资料,对保护区内药用维管植物的种类和生存状况进行研究。结果显示,保护区内药用维管植物共有80科168属218种,占该区维管植物总数的57.37%。药用维管植物生长型分析表明,草本植物占绝对优势。药用部位分析表明,以根和全草入药是其主要利用形式。对药用维管植物的功效分析显示,该地区以清热类、活血化淤类和祛风湿类药物为主。对保护区内药用维管植物濒危等级的评估显示,无危种类占总数的82.11%,说明保护状况良好。保护区不同功能区内维管植物物种丰富度为:核心区缓冲区实验区,其中药用维管植物所占的比例为:核心区缓冲区实验区。对不同功能区药用维管植物相似性分析结果表明,核心区和实验区物种为极不相似;核心区和缓冲区物种为轻度相似。本研究表明保护区的建立对药用植物多样性保护起到了重要作用,明确了保护区药用维管植物的种类及生存状况,为进一步开展药用植物资源的保护和利用研究提供了参考。     

湖北潜江农田景观中步甲和蜘蛛的群落结构

1995年6～10月在湖北省潜江市郊用陷阱法研究了不同农田景观元素中步甲和蜘蛛的群落结构,结果表明：10类农田景观元素中的五类景观元素,即稻田边缘,农林间作地,不打药的滩田,少打药的旱田和植被丰富的庭院菜地分别在步甲和蜘蛛的贮存上有重要意义。1)稻田边缘步甲和蜘蛛物种的多样性指数和物种数均最高。2)农林间作地步甲和蜘蛛的均匀度居首位,多样性指数位居第二。3)不打药的滩田步甲和蜘蛛的发生数量多,步甲的主要物种为爪哇屁步甲Pheropsophus javanus和耶屁步甲.Jessoensis。蜘蛛的主要物种为星豹蛛Pardosa astrigera。4)少打药的旱田发生的步甲数量多,主要物种为大劫步甲Lesticus magnus。5)植被丰富的庭园菜地发生的蜘蛛数量多,主要蜘蛛物种为沟渠豹蛛Pardosa laura。步甲或蜘蛛物种和景观元素的对应分析表明了优势步甲大劫步甲,爪哇屁步甲,耶屁步甲和优势蜘蛛沟渠豹蛛,星豹蛛,雾豹蛛Pardosa nebulosa,拟环纹豹蛛 P.Pesudoannulata和类水狼蛛Pirata piratoides各自的适生环境,同时也表明了这些景观元 素与常规管理农田(如水稻田,商业性菜地和棉田)之间在步甲、蜘蛛物种上的联系,这为农田景观的合理设计,保证农业的持续发展提供了参考。     

乌云界国家级自然保护区蝴蝶物种多样性及其保护

2008年6月至2010年9月采用路线法对湖南乌云界国家级自然保护区蝴蝶物种多样性进行了调查,针对4条调查路线31个样线段的植被物种丰富度、海拔高度、离水源距离和人为干扰程度等影响蝴蝶物种丰富度的主要因子,开展多元回归分析比较,同时对试验区、缓冲区和核心区3个规划区域进行蝴蝶群落多样性分析和相似度比较.共采集记录到蝴蝶147种,隶属于10科94属,其中国家保护种4种;多元回归分析表明,植被物种丰富度、海拔高度和人为干扰程度是影响蝴蝶分布最主要的3个因子,其中植被物种丰富度与蝴蝶物种丰富度存在极显著正相关（P<0.01）,海拔高度和人为干扰程度与蝴蝶物种丰富度存在显著负相关（P<0.05）;核心区的蝴蝶物种丰富度、多样性指数均高于缓冲区和试验区,试验区的优势度指数较高;缓冲区与核心区的相似度系数较高,达到0.526.该自然保护区蝴蝶物种多样性的保护重点在于保护植物群落多样性,保持林相之间的自然演替,适当减少人为干扰,以及加强特殊蝴蝶生境的维护.     

红松洼自然保护区草甸群落结构与多样性对管理模式的响应

管理模式对草甸植物群落结构和多样性有重要影响。以红松洼国家级自然保护区为研究地点,对比研究了实验区、缓冲区和核心区草甸植物群落结构和多样性对不同管理模式的响应。结果表明:实验区群落盖度显著高于核心区和缓冲区(P<0.05),三个区群落高度差异不显著(P>0.05),核心区群落密度明显高于实验区和缓冲区(P<0.05),三个区枯死物现存量差异显著(P<0.05);实验区地上生物量显著低于缓冲区和核心区(P<0.05),核心区地下生物量明显高于缓冲区和实验区(P<0.05);三个区的地下生物量都主要分布在0～10cm土层,向下逐层降低,其中核心区和实验区绝大部分根系主要分布在土壤表层,但相对深度不同;实验区与缓冲区植物群落优势物种较多,多个物种共同占有优势,而核心区的优势种少,优势物种集中;Shannon指数大小依次为缓冲区>实验区>核心区,Margalef指数为缓冲区>核心区>实验区。     

基于物种分布的森林生态系统类型自然保护区功能区划评价——以河南连康山国家级自然保护区为例

森林生态系统类型自然保护区是我国最主要的自然保护区类型,该类型自然保护区通常具有复杂多样的保护对象,因此对其进行功能区划需全面考虑各种保护对象的需求。评价森林生态系统类型的自然保护区功能区划有利于提高自然保护区的保护有效性。以属于森林生态系统类型自然保护区的河南连康山国家级自然保护区功能区划为研究对象,于2016年12月至2018年12月在该自然保护区内进行样线和红外相机调查,获取白冠长尾雉及与白冠长尾雉存在种间相互作用物种的分布点数据,结合收集的环境数据,采用MaxEnt模型对白冠长尾雉（Syrmaticus reevesii）和与白冠长尾雉存在种间相互作用物种的分布进行预测,进而分析物种与该自然保护区功能区划的空间关系,及自然保护区内野生动物分布与人为干扰强度的空间关系,评估连康山国家级自然保护区现有功能区划对白冠长尾雉和与白冠长尾雉存在种间相互作用物种的保护有效性。结果表明,保护区内高保护价值区域面积为33.84 km²,核心区、缓冲区和实验区内高保护价值区域面积分别占保护区总面积的18.96%、3.84%和9.19%,自然保护区内高保护价值区域面积比例偏低。保护区现有功能区划并不能充分满足保护白冠长尾雉栖息地的需要,且核心区、缓冲区和实验区面临不同程度的人为干扰的影响,这对保护区内重点保护对象的生存产生潜在威胁。因此,结合保护区内保护价值与人为干扰分布现状,针对白冠长尾雉及相关物种的受胁情况提出两种不同的保护区功能区划优化方案,在不降低连康山国家级自然保护区面积的前提下,提高核心保护区白冠长尾雉及相关物种适宜栖息地面积的比例,同时降低保护区内人为干扰强度。本研究可为该保护区保护白冠长尾雉提供决策依据,并为其他以野生动物为保护目标的保护区功能区划优化提供指导方法。     

华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)林大步甲属(Carabus)物种多样性及其变化

在山西庞泉沟国家自然保护区华北落叶松不同林龄的人工林和天然林内,利用巴氏罐诱法,对其地表甲虫大步甲属Carabus物种进行了系统的调查,结果表明: (1)共获得大步甲属标本1290号,分属于10种,9种是该保护区的新记录种类,其中C. canaliculatus沟步甲、C. crassesculptus粗皱步甲、C. manifestus罕丽步甲、C. vladimirskyi长叶步甲为优势种,肩步甲C. hummeli、刻翅步甲C. sculptipennis、粒步甲C. granulatus为常见种. (2)不同林地物种丰富度S、多样性H′、优势度D、个体数量N存在显著差异,均匀度J不存在显著差异;S、H′、D、J在人工林25年生林地最高;N在天然林20～30年生林地最多;β多样性人工林5年生林地最高.(3) 4种优势种季节性变化总体上是沟步甲的盛发期为7月和8月份;粗皱步甲的高峰期为7月份;罕丽步甲7月、5月、9月份和6月份发生数量多,8月份稀有;长叶步甲8月份和9月份为盛发期;不同物种在不同林地出现的高峰期是不一致的.(4)物种相似性分析结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a,人工林25a和天然林5～8a极相似,其余为中等不相似和中等相似.(5)生境相似性分析的结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a相似性最高,人工林5年生与天然林20～30a、35～45a生境相似性差异逐渐增大.(6)生境指示种分析的结果是粗皱步甲、罕丽步甲为广布种,肩步甲仅在天然林35～45a和60～80a生的林地采集到,其中在天然林35～45a林地生境物种指示值高达96.73.     

宁夏盐池荒漠草原步甲物种多样性

采用巴氏罐诱法于2009年3月到10月对盐池四墩子3种不同类型荒漠草原的步甲物种组成、数量分布进行了系统调查,共获得步甲标本1318号,分属于9属15种,其中直角通缘步甲Pterostichus gebleri、蒙古伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus mongolicus、径婪步甲Harpalus salinus和短翅伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus brevipennis为优势种,个体数量分别占个体总数的33.08%、19.73%、15.94%和8.04%。多样性分析表明适度干扰荒漠草地的Shannon-Wiener多样性、丰富度和均匀度均高于低干扰和强干扰荒漠草地。群落相似性分析显示猪毛蒿和甘草混交带与围栏放牧带及柠条带有较高的相似性,蒙古冰草带和苜蓿与柠条混种带相似性较高。从时间动态上看,步甲群落的个体数量在8月份达到最高。4种优势种季节性变化分别是直角通缘步甲盛发期为8月,径婪步甲发生的高峰期为8、9月,短翅伪葬步甲在5月和8月,蒙古伪葬步甲7-10月个体数量均多;不同物种在不同类型荒漠草地出现的高峰期是不一致的。典范对应分析(CCA)分析表明土壤含水量是影响步甲分布的最重要环境因子,植物生物量和植被密度次之;土壤含水量与步甲的Shannon-Wiener多样性、均匀度显著负相关,与优势度呈显著正相关。     

Effects of urbanization on ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of grassland habitats in western Canada

We pitfall-trapped carabid beetles across an urban-rural gradient in central Alberta, Canada to assess the relative contributions of landscape structure and habitat quality in explaining variation in composition of assemblages. The gradient ranged from the "urban" zone in the city of Edmonton, through a "suburban" zone just outside the city, into a "rural" zone 25–60 km east of the city. We trapped beetles at three replicated sites for each of two habitats (unmanaged grasslands and highly managed graveyards) in each of the three zones. Most of the 24 species (3162 individuals) captured were commonly associated with open habitats. Pterostichus melanarius , an introduced species, made up 80% of the total catch. Carabid assemblages of grasslands and graveyards were distinct, with lower species richness and lower catch rates of native, introduced and brachypterous carabids in graveyards. Graveyard assemblages also had proportionally fewer brachypterous carabid individuals (32 vs 52%) and species (20 vs 36%), suggesting that populations recruit locally from elsewhere after disturbances. Native carabids were least abundant in the urban areas. Brachypterous carabids were similarly abundant across the gradient, but more occurred in the urban zone than elsewhere (32 vs 5–10%). Samples from graveyards were characterized by lower beta diversity (variation among samples) than those from grasslands, but beta diversity was more-or-less equally variable across the gradient within habitats. The amount of unmanaged grassland habitat and the degree of urbanization significantly influence carabid assemblages, and therefore are relevant to management and conservation of urban grassland areas.     

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.     

Temporal and Spatial Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Carabidae (Coleoptera) in a Western Amazonian Rain Forest1

Diversity of arboreal carabid beetles was sampled by fumigation in 100 3 × 3 m stations within a 100 × 1000 m terra firme forest plot in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Nine sampling dates from January 1994 to October 1996 yielded 2329 individuals belonging to 318 species of which more than 50 percent were undescribed species. A high percentage of the species sampled were rare; the proportion that occurred once per sampling date (singletons) ranged from 50.0 to 62.5 percent. Estimates of species richness were from 82 to 282 species of arboreal carabids in the study plot on a given sampling date. Most richness values were greater than 173 species. Species accumulation curves attained asymptotes for all but one sampling date, indicating that an adequate level of sampling effort was used to characterize the diversity of carabid fauna. Total accumulation curves based on pooled data failed to reach asymptotes. There was a high turnover in species composition between sampling dates; less than 50 percent of the species between the majority of sampling dates were shared, suggesting that the total species pool may be extremely large. Although species composition changed seasonally, species richness varied little. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the structure of this species assemblage was significantly patterned at distances below 280 m. Taken together, the large percentage of undescribed species, die failure of the overall species accumulation curves to level off, and the high turnover in species composition indicate that the species diversity of carabid beetles is far higher than previously thought.     

Life-history trait and functional diversity patterns of ground beetles and spiders along a coastal heathland successional gradient

We investigated patterns in species richness and diversity, life-history traits and functional diversity of carabid beetles and spiders along a coastal heathland successional gradient. We sampled in five successional stages on the island of Hiddensee, Germany. Species richness of carabids and spiders and Simpson diversity for spiders did not differ among stages. Functional dispersion (FDis), a measure of functional richness, was lowest in the youngest stage for both carabids and spiders. Older successional stages represent more heterogeneous habitats and offer a broader range of niches, which might enhance functional dispersion. Functional evenness (FEve) differed among successional stages for spiders, indicating an uneven distribution of species abundances in the functional trait space. Functional divergence (FDiv) did not differ among stages for either taxon. Shifts in life-history traits were noted in both arthropod groups, but not always in the same direction: Body size of carabid beetles increased towards older successional stages, but decreased for spiders. The number of flightless carabid species increased towards older habitats. Each successional stage seemingly favors species with distinct life-history traits (species sorting). We conclude that a trait-based approach including the use of functional diversity measurements (FDis) could contribute valuable information for biodiversity conservation.     

Belowground carabid beetle diversity in the western Palaearctic - effects of history and climate on range-restricted taxa (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Broad-scale patterns of subterranean diversity are a fascinating but neglected part of biodiversity research. Carabid beetles adapted to belowground habitats form a particularly species-rich part of the subterranean fauna. We studied large-scale diversity patterns of these belowground carabids across the western Palaearctic and evaluated potential impacts of historical and contemporary environmental conditions on the distribution of these taxa, using available species richness and environmental data at country level. Regression modelling and variation partitioning showed a strong relationship between species richness and range in elevation. Potential effects of climatic variables, mainly those related to ambient energy input, were much weaker. We discuss the implications of this combination of effects, which suggests, concordant with the absence of subterranean carabids in northern and highest richness in southern Europe, a strong prevailing influence of historical processes on current richness distributions of these taxa. Previous studies did not provide clear indications for such an influence. In contrast to more mobile and widespread carabid beetles, dispersal limitation due to high adaptation of belowground carabids to subterranean habitats has probably hindered their re-colonization of former permafrost and glaciated regions. Hotspots of highest belowground diversity are located in regions with an assumed long-term stability of environmental conditions, correlating with patterns of other dispersal-limited taxa such as many endemic plants. Our study provides important new information in the discussion of potential determinants of the distinct geographic patterns of belowground diversity. Moreover, it contributes to a better understanding of range size related differences previously found in the distribution of diversity and environmental dependencies of widespread and range-restricted species within the highly diverse carabid beetles.     

Invasive moss alters patterns in life-history traits and functional diversity of spiders and carabids

Invasive plants can modify terrestrial habitats and affect the natural faunal composition. In acidic coastal dunes the invasive moss Campylopus introflexus can form dense carpets that largely replace native vegetation. As shown in a previous study, moss invasion affects habitat structure and ground-dwelling arthropod diversity. We suggested that including the functional diversity concept in the analysis of moss invasion impacts may offer further insights. We used pitfall trap data to compare trait composition and functional diversity of spiders and carabids in (a) invaded, moss-rich (C. introflexus) and (b) native, lichen-rich (Cladonia spp.) acidic coastal dunes. Moss invasion induced shifts in the trait values body size and feeding preference (carabids) and hunting mode (spiders): Species were smaller in native sites, and the percentages of web-building spiders and phytophagous beetles were reduced in invaded sites. Furthermore, moss invasion led to a more heterogeneous trait composition for spiders, and changed functional diversity of both arthropod groups, although with the opposite effects: While spiders were functionally more diverse in invaded sites, moss invasion reduced carabid beetles’ functional diversity. We also observed changes in the relationship between species richness and functional diversity that indicate a high functional similarity for spiders but a lower one for carabid beetles in native grey dunes. C. introflexus invasion not only alters the arthropod diversity and assemblage structure of endangered acidic coastal dunes but also interferes at a functional level. These results provide further insight into the way plant invasions might alter the structure and function of ecosystems.     

Organic versus conventional management in an apple orchard: effects of fertilization and tree-row management on ground-dwelling predaceous arthropods

1 Organic and conventional management of apple orchards may have a different effect on arthropod communities.
2 We conducted a 3-year study to assess the effect of two strategies of fertilizer treatment (organic versus chemical) and three tree-row management systems (straw mulching, tillage and herbicide) on activity-density and biodiversity of epigeic predators. Ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), ants (Formicidae) and spiders (Araneae) were sampled monthly with pitfall traps in the same apple orchard during 2003, 2004 and 2005.
3 A total of 4978 individuals were collected. Carabids (56.8% of the total catches) were the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by spiders (20.7%), ants (14.8%) and rove beetles (7.7%). Tree-row management had a greater influence on predator catches than fertilizer treatment. Total predator catches were lower under the mulch. Mulching also reduced carabid abundance, but increased staphylinid catches.
4 Tree row management also had a significant effect on biodiversity parameters. Species richness did not significantly differ among treatments for ants, spiders or the total catches, but was higher on herbicide-treated plots for carabids and on mulched plots for staphylinids. Shannon–Wiener's diversity index was significantly greater in the mulched and herbicide treated plots for total predators and carabids. For staphylinids, this index was significantly greater on the mulched plots. Fertilizer application strategy only influenced the species richness of rove beetles, which was greater in the chemically-treated plots.
5 The results showed that a change from conventional to organic fertilizer treatment of apple trees may be performed without differential effects on predator activity-density or biodiversity. However, a change from herbicide treatment to mulching or mechanical weed control may be significant, depending on the taxonomic group.     

Impact of Red Deer Cervus elaphus Grazing on Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and Composition of Ground Beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) Assemblage

We studied the role of red deer Cervus elaphus L. as ecosystem modifier in boreal forest (Tingvoll municipality, 62°52′ N, 8°20′ E, Norway), during early summer of 2001. The effect of grazing by red deer on ground beetles (Carabidae) abundance and diversity was investigated across a gradient of grazing pressures. We trapped ground beetles by pit-fall traps from three homogeneous winter grazing areas (ungrazed, medium grazed, heavily grazed). Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus (the main winter food for red deer) was sampled and its dry weight was measured for the three locations. Gradient analyses showed that grazing by red deer affects carabid species composition. Grazing significantly affected the amount of bilberry, which correlated with species variation. According to our predictions, we found a higher abundance of carabids in the heavily grazed location, but the species richness and the diversity indices were similar for the three areas. This study shows that overall species composition is altered along a gradient as consequence of red deer winter grazing and that red deer act as ecosystem engineer, by reducing the bilberry heather which dominates the field layer in early summer.