盐池四墩子拟步甲昆虫群落组成与环境因子的相关性

2009年3-10月,对宁夏盐池四墩子不同植被类型和人工干扰强度的荒漠草地的拟步甲昆虫群落结构及其环境因子特征进行了调查, 采用多样性指数和典范对应分析(CCA)研究了昆虫群落与环境因子之间的相关性.共收集拟步甲10属20种,5431只,以弯齿琵甲、克小鳖甲和蒙古漠王占优势,分别占总数的47.30%、39.90%和3.59%.CCA分析表明：拟步甲与环境因子之间的相关性高达100%,提示盐池四墩子环境因子变化影响拟步甲的分布,植物群落多样性、植物生物量和土壤含水量对拟步甲昆虫群落的分布影响最大;从物种的分布状况看,谢氏宽漠王对环境最为敏感;小丽东鳖甲、宽突东鳖甲、尖尾东鳖甲、宽腹东鳖甲次之,与植物生物量、植被盖度呈负相关,戈壁琵甲、中华砚甲、网目土甲和淡红毛隐甲与植被密度和土壤含水量呈正相关,蒙古漠王、克小鳖甲、小皮鳖甲和异距琵甲与植物群落多样性呈正相关,奥氏真土甲、弯齿琵甲和达氏琵甲与植物生物量和植被盖度呈正相关;相关和回归分析结果也显示,拟步甲群落的活动密度与土壤含水量极显著正相关(r=0.943,P=0.005).同时,排序反映了拟步甲对生态环境的需求以及其在不同资源维上的生态分化现象.     

贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲群落小尺度空间格局动态

为探讨贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲群落小尺度空间格局动态特征,本研究于2019年5—10月每月采用陷阱法调查200 m×200 m空间尺度的拟步甲昆虫群落,基于地统计分析方法,研究拟步甲昆虫群落的空间格局,并分析空间格局与地形因子的关系。6次调查共捕获拟步甲科成虫7属10种1086只,群落组成具有较明显的空间和时间变异性。其中,拟步甲群落多样性以5月最大,7月最低。Moran I指数表明,拟步甲优势种空间自相关性具有明显的季节波动性,在5月、9月和10月表现为显著空间正相关。拟步甲群落和优势种具有较强的空间异质性,主要由结构性因素决定。普通克里金插值表明,不同季节群落空间格局梯度分布存在明显差异,夏季群落空间格局比较简单。交叉方差函数分析显示,优势种物种间大多表现为正空间关联性,且主要受结构性因素单一调控。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明,坡度和海拔显著影响昆虫分布。本研究揭示了拟步甲昆虫群落小尺度空间异质性具有明显的季节变异,为研究贺兰山冲积扇生境地表甲虫物种多样性空间格局及维持机制奠定基础。     

Orchard and riparian habitats enhance ground dwelling beetle diversity in Mediterranean agro-forestry systems

The relative contribution of mixed orchard and riparian vegetation patches to local and regional diversity of Mediterranean landscapes dominated by cork-oak woodlands was tested in 2006–2007 using ground, rove and darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Tenebrionidae). Mixed orchard and riparian gallery habitats recorded higher values of abundance and species richness for overall beetle species, although most darkling beetle species were associated with the sclerophyllous cork-oak woodlands. Ground and rove beetle community structure changed from the orchard and riparian habitats to samples placed 100 m away into the surrounding cork-oak woodland, i.e., non-cork-oak patches enhanced beta diversity within the landscape mosaic. Analysis of ground beetle traits concerning moisture preferences revealed a higher proportion of hygrophilous species in mixed orchard and riparian gallery habitats while xerophilous species were dominant within the cork-oak woodlands. The results of this study suggested that land-use management promoting the maintenance of habitat heterogeneity enhances biodiversity conservation of important hygrophilous and xerophilous species, and subsequently the sustainable use of Mediterranean agro-forest mosaics.     

Epidermal glands in cordylid lizards,with special reference to generation glands

We investigated inter‐ and intraspecific variation in epidermal gland characteristics in cordylid lizards. Our particular interest was whether a causal relationship exists between the presence of generation glands and lifestyle, i.e. in rock‐dwelling or ground‐dwelling lizards. We established that both femoral and generation glands are always present in adult males, but that species can be divided into three categories on the basis of the presence of these glands in adult females: both femoral and generation glands absent; femoral glands present, but generation glands absent; and both femoral and generation glands present. The absence of epidermal glands in females appears to be the basal condition in the Cordylidae. All cordylid species are sexually dimorphic as far as generation gland number is concerned, with females having consistently less glands than males. Gland number in females is strongly affected by climate, being lower in cooler compared with warmer environments. In males, there is no clear geographical pattern, although in some clades males of high‐altitude species have more generation glands than males of species occurring at lower altitudes. At least four of the five ground‐dwelling species in the family display unique generation gland characteristics, compared with rock‐dwelling species, reflecting the continued importance of generation glands in terrestrial environments. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 312–324.     

盐池荒漠草地拟步甲昆虫群落时间结构和动态

从2009年3月到10月采用巴氏罐诱导法调查了宁夏盐池四墩子6个不同生境中的拟步甲的群落组成以及时间动态,结果表明,本次调查共采集拟步甲昆虫5431只,计10属20种,个体数最多的是弯齿琵甲Blapsfemoralis femoralis Fischer-Waldheim和克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi kraatzi Reitter,分别占总数的47.30%和40.66%,不同季节的优势种类不同。从时间动态上看,拟步甲物种数和个体数成显著正相关(r=0.887,P=0.003),表现为5月和7—8月2个发生高峰期,且5月最高。从整个景观来看,优势种克小鳖甲的盛发期在5月和7月,弯齿琵甲的盛发期在5月和8月,不同景观样地略有差异。物种-时间对应分析表明,拟步甲成虫发生可以分为春季发生型、春夏发生型、夏季发生型、夏秋发生型和全年发生型5类。5月拟步甲群落多样性和丰富度最高,不同月的拟步甲群落相似性可以聚为3类,由于植被类型和干扰程度的差异,月间拟步甲群落相似性会有所差异。     

长白山南坡苔原植被的特殊性及坡向间差异性分析

以长白山苔原带南坡植被为对象,通过植被调查,与北坡和西坡植被进行比较,研究长白山苔原植被因坡向差异导致的不同植被变化模式。结果显示:(1)长白山苔原南坡植被中灌木处于优势地位,与北坡、西坡情况一致。但在物种组成上,各坡向差异明显,为中度不相似水平;(2)在生物多样性、多度、盖度等群落特征上,南坡与西坡的差异较大、与北坡相似性较强;(3)在物种多样性的空间分布上,南坡与北坡相同,即随海拔升高呈单峰变化且峰值出现在中部,与西坡物种多样性随海拔升高呈单调递减的趋势完全不同。表明不同群落抗干扰能力以及所受干扰程度存在差异,北坡处于演替中后期,较为稳定,抗干扰能力更强。南坡因受干扰强度较小,植被处于较稳定状态;(4)长白山苔原各坡向植被变化差异较大。南坡和北坡的植被相对稳定,与西坡草本植物强烈上侵明显不同。长白山苔原带植被的坡向差异源于各坡向的本底差异、环境差异以及对全球气候变化的差异性响应,是火山、强风干扰下植被演替与响应气候变化的植被变化共同作用的结果。     

Multilocus phylogeography of the flightless darkling beetle Nyctoporis carinata (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the California Floristic Province: deciphering an evolutionary mosaic

The California Floristic Province (CFP) is considered a global biodiversity hotspot because of its confluence of high species diversity across a wide range of threatened habitats. To understand how biodiversity hotspots such as the CFP maintain and generate diversity, we conducted a phylogeographic analysis of the flightless darkling beetle, Nyctoporis carinata, using multiple genetic markers. Analyses of both nuclear and mitochondrial loci revealed an east–west genetic break through the Transverse Ranges and high genetic diversity and isolation of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Overall, the results obtained suggest that this species has a deep evolutionary history whose current distribution resulted from migration out of a glacial refugium in the southern Sierra Nevada via the Transverse Ranges. This finding is discussed in light of similar genetic patterns found in other taxa to develop a foundation for understanding the biodiversity patterns of this dynamic area. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99 , 424–444.     

Linking Biodiversity,the Environment and Ecosystem Functioning: Ecological Functions of Dung Beetles Along a Tropical Elevational Gradient

Biodiversity loss and anthropogenic environmental changes are known to impact ecosystem functions and services. However, there are still some uncertainties such as confounding environmental factors other than community attributes that affect ecosystem functioning. Our goal was to understand what factors influence the performance of Scarabaeinae dung beetle functions, testing the hypothesis that both community attributes and environmental variables influence the performance. Toward this aim, we collected dung beetles along an elevational gradient (800–1400 m a.s.l.) in the Espinhaço mountain range (Brazil) and quantified dung beetle functions, that is, dung removal, soil excavation and secondary seed dispersal. We recorded data on environmental factors related to climate, soil and vegetation and evaluated their effects on dung beetle functions. Dung beetle ecological functions declined with elevation and the decrease was more pronounced than richness, indicating that there are other factors involved in functions performance besides diversity of beetles. Indeed, we found that the ecological functions measured were dependent on both dung beetle community attributes and environmental factors. Climate, soil and vegetation influenced dung beetle function performance as much as richness, abundance and body size. Dung beetle functional diversity did not explain any of the functions measured. Our study demonstrates that ecological functions are directly influenced by both community attributes and environmental variables and confirms the link between biodiversity, environment and ecosystem functioning.     

长白山南坡苔原植被的特殊性及坡向间差异性分析

以长白山苔原带南坡植被为对象,通过植被调查,与北坡和西坡植被进行比较,研究长白山苔原植被因坡向差异导致的不同植被变化模式。结果显示：（1）长白山苔原南坡植被中灌木处于优势地位,与北坡、西坡情况一致。但在物种组成上,各坡向差异明显,为中度不相似水平;（2）在生物多样性、多度、盖度等群落特征上,南坡与西坡的差异较大、与北坡相似性较强;（3）在物种多样性的空间分布上,南坡与北坡相同,即随海拔升高呈单峰变化且峰值出现在中部,与西坡物种多样性随海拔升高呈单调递减的趋势完全不同。表明不同群落抗干扰能力以及所受干扰程度存在差异,北坡处于演替中后期,较为稳定,抗干扰能力更强。南坡因受干扰强度较小,植被处于较稳定状态;（4）长白山苔原各坡向植被变化差异较大。南坡和北坡的植被相对稳定,与西坡草本植物强烈上侵明显不同。长白山苔原带植被的坡向差异源于各坡向的本底差异、环境差异以及对全球气候变化的差异性响应,是火山、强风干扰下植被演替与响应气候变化的植被变化共同作用的结果。     

贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲生态位及种间关联

【目的】拟步甲对维持荒漠半荒漠生境的生物多样性和生态系统功能具有重要作用。本研究旨在揭示拟步甲物种的生态位及种间关联,为冲积扇荒漠草地生境拟步甲群落构建机制研究奠定基础。【方法】2019年5-10月采用陷阱法调查贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地划分为100个相同大小正方形单元的200 m×200 m样地的拟步甲昆虫群落组成,运用2×2联列表分析、生态位宽度、生态位重叠、方差比率法、 χ²检验、联结系数(AC)、共同出现百分率(PC)、Ochiai指数、Dice指数和Spearman秩相关系数等方法分析物种间的生态位和种间联结性。【结果】6次调查共捕获拟步甲科成虫7属10种1 086头,其中克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi kraatzi、弯胫东鳖甲Anatolica pandaroides和平坦东鳖甲Anatolica planata是优势种。平坦东鳖甲空间生态位宽度最大,小圆鳖甲Scytosoma pygmaeum时间生态位宽度最大,克小鳖甲时空生态位宽度最大,类沙土甲Opatrum subaratum时间、空间、时空生态位宽度最小,处于竞争劣势。对拟步甲生态位宽度值聚类表明,克小鳖甲、弯胫东鳖甲、小圆鳖甲和裂缘圆鳖甲S. dissilimarginis是广生态位种。种对的时间生态位重叠比空间生态位重叠更显著。方差比率和W检验表明拟步甲昆虫总体呈显著正关联; χ²检验、联结系数(AC)和Spearman 秩相关系数的结果显示正负关联种对的比率大于1,总体趋于正相关。共同出现百分率(PC)、Ochiai指数和Dice指数表明,优势种克小鳖甲、弯胫东鳖甲和平坦东鳖甲种间呈显著正关联。根据Spearman秩相关系数结果,这10种拟步甲可划分为3个生态种组。【结论】优势种类具有较宽的生态位,物种时间生态位和空间生态位宽度变化不一致,正联结性显著的种对生态位重叠相应也较高。生态种组聚类反映了种对生态适应性的差异。研究结果为研究冲积扇荒漠草地生境小尺度空间拟步甲昆虫群落演替提供了参考依据。     

A trait‐based plant economic framework can help increase the value of reforestation for conservation

While reforestation is gaining momentum to moderate climate change via carbon sequestration, there is also an opportunity to use tree planting to confront declining global biodiversity. Where tree species vary in support of diversity, selecting appropriate species for planting could increase conservation effectiveness. We used a common garden experiment in Borneo using 24 native tree species to examine how variation among tree species in their support of beetle diversity is predicted by plant traits associated with “acquisitive” and “conservative” resource acquisition strategies. We evaluate three hypotheses: (1) beetle communities show fidelity to host identity as indicated by variation in abundance and diversity among tree species, (2) the leaf economic spectrum partially explains this variation as shown by beetle preferences for plant species that are predicted by plant traits, and (3) a small number of selected tree species can capture higher beetle species richness than a random tree species community. We found high variation among tree species in supporting three highly intercorrelated metrics of beetle communities: abundance, richness, and Shannon diversity. Variation in support of beetle communities was predicted by plant traits and varied by plant functional groups; within the dipterocarp family, high beetle diversity was predicted by conservative traits such as high wood density and slow growth, and in non‐dipterocarps by the acquisitive traits of high foliar K and rapid growth. Using species accumulation curves and extrapolation to twice the original sample size, we show that 48 tree species were not enough to reach asymptote levels of beetle richness. Nevertheless, species accumulation curves of the six tree species with the highest richness had steeper slopes and supported 33% higher richness than a random community of tree species. Reforestation projects concerned about conservation can benefit by identifying tree species with a disproportional capacity to support biodiversity based on plant traits.     

Thermal tolerance and recovery behaviour of Thorectes lusitanicus (Coleoptera,Geotrupidae)

1. Population differences in physiological responses are examined in Thorectes lusitanicus, an endemic Iberian dung beetle species, by submitting individuals of different populations to the same experimental and acclimation conditions. 2. An infrared thermography protocol was used, consisting of three assays: start of activity, cold response, and heat response. Individuals of 12 populations were studied and the comparative explanatory capacities of several environmental factors in relation to the observed inter‐population differences were examined. 3. The heating rate from chill coma to the beginning of activity was the variable with the highest discrimination power among the studied populations, accounting for 94% of the observed variance. Regarding the heat response, only six of the 16 thermal variables reached significance (inter‐population differences accounted for 52–74% in these six thermal parameters). 4. From the three considered environmental factors (Mediterranean climate, land cover, and trophic characteristics) only land cover characteristics remain statistically significant, affecting the cold response of individuals. 5. Thorectes lusitanicus is a species characterised by a high diversity of thermotolerance and recovery traits across populations with a low degree of association with broad environmental factors. Finally, it is suggested that the apterous character of this species could be a determinant factor explaining the high diversity of ecophysiological traits related to thermal stress tolerance and the recovery time.     

Nesting strategies affect altitudinal distribution and habitat use in Alpine dung beetle communities

1. Dung beetles are key contributors to a suite of ecosystem services. Understanding the factors that dictate their distributions is a necessary step towards preventing negative impacts of biodiversity loss. 2. Alpine dung beetle communities were analysed along altitudinal gradients to assess how different components of the community, defined in terms of nesting strategy [dung‐ovipositing Aphodiidae (DOAs), soil‐ovipositing Aphodiidae (SOAs) and two paracoprid (PAR) groups, Geotrupidae and Scarabaeidae] and parameters relevant to dung removal rates (species richness, total biomass and functional diversity), are distributed, and to identify to which environmental factors they respond. 3. Species richness declined with altitude. There was no significant variation in functional diversity or total biomass in relation to altitude. There were significant variations when considered by nesting group: DOA species richness and biomass decreased, SOA biomass increased, and Geotrupidae biomass showed a non‐linear trend, as altitude increased. 4. Functional diversity and total species richness were positively related to vegetation cover. DOA species richness was highest in forest and scrub; SOA species richness was highest in grassland and PAR species richness was lowest in rocky areas. 5. Dung beetle species show different trends in species richness and biomass depending on nesting strategy. Management to promote the dung beetle community should include maintenance of a mosaic of habitat types. Given the likely importance of species richness and biomass to ecosystem functioning, and the complimentary effect of different dung beetle groups, such a strategy may protect and enhance the ecosystem services that Alpine dung beetles provide.     

Combining field experiments and predictive models to assess potential for increased plant diversity to climate‐proof intensive agriculture

Agricultural production systems face increasing threats from more frequent and extreme weather fluctuations associated with global climate change. While there is mounting evidence that increased plant community diversity can reduce the variability of ecosystem functions (such as primary productivity) in the face of environmental fluctuation, there has been little work testing whether this is true for intensively managed agricultural systems. Using statistical modeling techniques to fit environment–productivity relationships offers an efficient means of leveraging hard‐won experimental data to compare the potential variability of different mixtures across a wide range of environmental contexts. We used data from two multiyear field experiments to fit climate–soil–productivity models for two pasture mixtures under intensive grazing—one composed of two drought‐sensitive species (standard), and an eight‐species mixture including several drought‐resistant species (complex). We then used these models to undertake a scoping study estimating the mean and coefficient of variation (CV) of annual productivity for long‐term climate data covering all New Zealand on soils with low, medium, or high water‐holding capacity. Our results suggest that the complex mixture is likely to have consistently lower CV in productivity, irrespective of soil type or climate regime. Predicted differences in mean annual productivity between mixtures were strongly influenced by soil type and were closely linked to mean annual soil water availability across all soil types. Differences in the CV of productivity were only strongly related to interannual variance in water availability for the lowest water‐holding capacity soil. Our results show that there is considerable scope for mixtures including drought‐tolerant species to enhance certainty in intensive pastoral systems. This provides justification for investing resources in a large‐scale distributed experiment involving many sites under different environmental contexts to confirm these findings.     

Fine‐scale heterogeneity in beetle assemblages under co‐occurring Eucalyptus in the same subgenus

Aim Insect biodiversity is often positively associated with habitat heterogeneity. However, this relationship depends on spatial scale, with most studies focused on differences between habitats at large scales with a variety of forest tree species. We examined fine‐scale heterogeneity in ground‐dwelling beetle assemblages under co‐occurring trees in the same subgenus: Eucalyptus melliodora A. Cunn. ex Schauer and E. blakelyi Maiden (Myrtaceae). Location Critically endangered grassy woodland near Canberra, south‐eastern Australia. Methods We used pitfall traps and Tullgren funnels to sample ground‐dwelling beetles from the litter environment under 47 trees, and examined differences in diversity and composition at spatial scales ranging from 100 to 1000 m. Results Beetle assemblages under the two tree species had distinctive differences in diversity and composition. We found that E. melliodora supported a higher richness and abundance of beetles, but had higher compositional similarity among samples. In contrast, E. blakelyi had a lower abundance and species richness of beetles, but more variability in species composition among samples. Main conclusions Our study shows that heterogeneity in litter habitat under co‐occurring and closely related eucalypt species can influence beetle assemblages at spatial scales of just hundreds of metres. The differential contribution to fine‐scale alpha and beta diversity by each eucalypt can be exploited for conservation purposes by ensuring an appropriate mix of the two species in the temperate woodlands where they co‐occur. This would help not only to maximize biodiversity at landscape scales, but also to maintain heterogeneity in species richness, trophic function and biomass at fine spatial scales.     

西藏岗巴拉山土壤细菌多样性海拔分布格局及其驱动因子

高原山地是对全球气候变化最为敏感的脆弱生态系统之一,研究高原山地土壤细菌群落沿海拔变化特征,对于揭示受气候变化和人为干扰的山地微生物群落结构和功能有十分重要的科学意义。研究以西藏岗巴拉山作为研究对象,运用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术,基于精细样方尺度分析了岗巴拉山沿海拔梯度土壤细菌群落组成和多样性的变化特征及其驱动因子。结果表明：岗巴拉山土壤细菌共包含36门125纲307目477科838属1878种,将12个海拔带分为高中低3组（低海拔从3800-4100 m、中海拔从4200-4500 m、高海拔从4600-4900 m）,中海拔总分类操作单元（OTU）数最多,特有OTU数最少,土壤细菌群落丰富度随海拔升高呈单峰趋势,但其特异性随海拔呈U型分布格局。岗巴拉山土壤细菌群落中的优势菌门是放线菌门、酸杆菌门、变形菌门、绿弯菌门、疣微菌门和芽单胞菌门等,土壤细菌群落Shannon多样性指数随海拔升高而逐渐减小,而Simpson多样性指数在高海拔最高,Chao指数随海拔升高呈单峰变化趋势。主坐标分析（PCoA）表明土壤细菌群落结构在不同海拔梯度上存在显著差异,且低海拔土壤细菌群落组内也存在显著差异。冗余分析（RDA）表明海拔、pH、总氮、总磷和有机碳对土壤细菌群落结构有显著影响,与环境因子相关性分析表明海拔、pH、总氮、总磷和有机碳与土壤细菌群落结构显著相关,曼特尔检验表明pH和海拔是影响土壤细菌群落的关键因素。岗巴拉山土壤细菌多样性沿海拔梯度呈单调下降趋势,pH是影响土壤细菌群落沿海拔变化特征的关键环境因子,总氮、总磷和有机碳也是影响土壤细菌群落的重要环境因子。     

甘南高寒草甸坡向梯度对植物群落功能多样性的影响

植物群落功能多样性对于维持生态系统功能具有十分重要的意义。该研究以青藏高原高寒草甸植物群落为研究对象,运用R软件程序包(FD、Vegan)与单因素方差分析法,分析高寒草甸不同坡向植物群落功能多样性的变化及其与环境因子的关系,以揭示微生境梯度上植物对环境的适应策略以及群落种间功能特征及生态系统内部结构和功能的变化机制。结果显示：(1)青藏高原高寒草甸的北坡和西北坡的物种丰富度、植物株高、比叶面积、叶片有机碳、叶片氮以及叶片磷显著高于其他坡向,且坡向间差异显著(P<0.05)。(2)在北坡到南坡的变化中,功能丰富度差异比较明显(P<0.05),株高、比叶面积、叶片有机碳、叶片氮及叶片磷等功能丰富度均呈递减趋势。(3)北坡的株高功能均匀度、西北坡比叶面积、叶片有机碳、叶片氮及叶片磷等功能均匀度均显著高于南坡,且多元性状功能均匀度在坡向间差异显著(P<0.05)。(4)北坡的比叶面积、叶片氮功能离散度及西北坡的株高、叶片有机碳、叶片磷等功能离散度均高于南坡,且坡向间差异显著(P<0.05)。(5)植物群落功能多样性与土壤含水量、土壤有机碳、土壤全氮、土壤全磷呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05),与坡度、土壤pH、土温、照度呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)。     

Effects Of Vegetation and Soil on Species Diversity of Soil Dwelling Diptera in a Heathland Ecosystem

The role of vegetation and soil factors on the biodiversity of two soil dwelling, saprophagous, fly families (Sphaeroceridae and Lonchopteridae) in a heathland ecosystem were investigated. The fly community is primarily affected by soil humidity and the amount of organic matter while the vegetation structure and species composition only indirectly influence the fly communities. There was no correlation between plant species richness and the fly diversity indices. Based on our results and literature data, we hypothesise that the direct effects of the vegetation is more evident for herbivorous insects than for species that do not feed on plants. The investigated families show a clear response to microhabitat differences in the soil factors, which makes them promising indicators for soil health and as tool for monitoring environmental changes.     

Does selective logging change ground‐dwelling beetle assemblages in a subtropical broad‐leafed forest of China?

Selective logging with natural regeneration is advocated as a near‐to‐nature strategy and has been implemented in many forested systems during the last decades. However, the efficiency of such practices for the maintenance of forest species are poorly understood. We compared the species richness, abundance and composition of ground‐dwelling beetles between selectively logged and unlogged forests to evaluate the possible effects of selective logging in a subtropical broad‐leafed forest in southeastern China. Using pitfall traps, beetles were sampled in two naturally regenerating stands after clearcuts (ca. 50 years old, stem‐exclusion stage: selectively logged 20 years ago) and two mature stands (> 80 years old, understory re‐initiation stage: selectively logged 50 years ago) during 2009 and 2010. Overall, selective logging had no significant effects on total beetle richness and abundance, but saproxylic species group and some abundant forest species significantly decreased in abundance in selectively logged plots compared with unlogged plots in mature stands. Beetle assemblages showed significant differences between selectively logged and unlogged plots in mature stands. Some environmental characteristics associated with selective logging (e.g., logging strategy, stand age, and cover of shrub and moss layers) were the most important variables explaining beetle assemblage structure. Our results conclude that selective logging has no significant impacts on overall richness and abundance of ground‐dwelling beetles. However, the negative effects of selective logging on saproxylic species group and some unlogged forest specialists highlight the need for large intact forested areas for sustaining the existence of forest specialist beetles.     

Dung beetle species interactions and multifunctionality are affected by an experimentally warmed climate

While substantial effort has been invested in modelling changes in species distribution with climate change, less attention has been given to how climate warming will affect interactions among co‐occurring species, and the cascading functional consequences. In this study, realistic dung beetle communities were subjected to an experimental warming treatment and the net effect on the functions of dung decomposition (in terms of dung mass) and plant productivity (in terms of biomass production of ryegrass grown on soil from underneath the dung pats) were examined. A priori, we hypothesized that the largest tunneling species would be functionally dominant, and be differently affected by experimental warming compared to pat‐dwelling, smaller species. In terms of dung decomposition, the largest beetles did prove to be the functionally most important, with the qualitative pattern unaffected by experimental warming. In contrast, for plant productivity all species appeared equally important under ambient conditions. However, the effects of single species on plant productivity were reduced as temperature increased: In a warmed climate, a combination of both tunneling and pat‐dwelling species came the closest to returning ecosystem functioning to levels found in the ambient treatment. These results suggest different roles for different species, and highlight the importance of maintaining multiple species within an ecosystem – particularly when systems are perturbed.