A Strategic Interpretation of Beetle (Coleoptera) Assemblages, Biotopes, Habitats and Distribution, and the Conservation Implications |
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Authors: | M D Eyre |
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Institution: | (1) Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability and Nafferton Ecological Farming Group, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK |
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Abstract: | The identification of beetle, and other invertebrate, biotopes based on the recording of species assemblages has become a
regular occurrence as a result of increased survey work, with the approach expanded into classifications of grid square pooled
species lists at the national scale. A reassessment of beetle biotopes and distribution has been attempted by interpreting
the classifications in terms of the major environmental factors of productivity and disturbance, identified as being important
drivers in work on habitat templates and strategic triangles. For grassland ground beetle biotopes, productivity was generally
related to soil quality whilst disturbance was associated with land management or cover. Productivity of exposed riverine
sediment ground beetle biotopes was dependent on deposited organic matter and disturbance on the effects of water flow on
site structure. With both ground beetle biotopes, the distribution of assemblages was also affected by substrate water, another
abiotic driver. Productivity in aquatic beetle biotopes was a function of base-status, generally reflected by pH, whilst disturbance
was mainly due to water flow and wave action. However, disturbance in ditches was also the result of site vegetation management
whilst another factor affecting assemblage distribution was water permanence, with temporary water having specific assemblages.
For large-scale British, grid-based, classifications productivity and disturbance were interpreted from satellite-derived
land cover data. At the national scale, the other important factor influencing distribution was temperature. There is a requirement
for better quantification of a number of the factors influencing biotope and assemblage definition. Species strategies employed
to cope with the various environmental variables were reflected in traits in such factors as morphology and life-cycles. The
effects of environmental perturbations including climate change, pollution and land use are discussed in relation to the environmental
variables and to the various species strategies. Biotope classifications, using standardised and reproducible survey methods,
allied to a better understanding of the underlying environmental pressures, could produce a unified approach for the conservation
of beetle and other invertebrate species. |
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Keywords: | Coleoptera Disturbance Ground beetles Habitat templates Invertebrate conservation Productivity Strategies Water beetles |
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