Plant diversity patterns and their relationships with soil and climatic factors along an altitudinal gradient in the middle Tianshan Mountain area, Xinjiang, China

Patterns of plant diversity along the altitudinal gradient of Tianshan in central Xinjiang, China were examined. Plant and environment characteristics were surveyed from higher, south of Bogeda peak, to lower, north of Guerbantonggute desert. There were a total of 341 vascular plant, 295 herbage, 41 shrub, and seven tree species in the sampled plots. The plant richness of vegetation types generally showed a unimodal pattern along altitude, with a bimodal change of plant species number at 100-m intervals of altitudinal samples. The two belts of higher plant richness were in transient areas between vegetation types, the first in areas from dry grass to forest, and the second from forest to sub-alpine grass and bush. The beta diversity varied with altitudinal changes, with herbaceous species accounting for most species, and thus had similar species turnover patterns to total species. Matching the change of richness of plant species to environmental factors along altitude and correlating these by redundancy analysis revealed that the environmental factors controlling species richness and its pattern were the combined effects of temperature, precipitation, soil water, and nutrition. Water was more important at low altitude, and temperature at high altitude, and soil chemical and physical characters at middle altitudes. This study provides insights into plant diversity conservation of Bogeda Natural Reserve Areas in Tianshan Mountain. Nomenclatures: the scientific name for plants follows Flora of China (Compiling Committee of Flora of China).     

贺兰山木本植物群落物种多样性的海拔格局

 贺兰山位于中国温带草原和温带荒漠的过渡带,是研究干旱区山地物种多样性海拔格局的理想区域。该文通过样方法调查研究区的森林和灌丛群落,并运用广义可加模型分析物种多样性的海拔分布格局。结果表明：1）海拔是物种丰富度的重要影响因子,一般能解释原始数据30%～40%的变差。2）对于森林和灌丛群落,草本植物都是群落中比例最高的物种, 而且决定了群落总物种丰富度的海拔分布格局。3）森林群落的乔木层物种丰富度在中海拔区域最高,反映了中海拔区域相对优越的水热条件。灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度明显受到乔木层郁闭度的影响,有随海拔升高而降低的趋势。4）灌丛群落的灌木层和草本层物种丰富度均呈单峰格局,皆因低海拔的干旱和高海拔的寒冷抑制了多数物种的生存,仅气候条件适宜的中海拔区域能够生存丰富的物种。     

Comparing tree diversity and composition in coffee farms and sacred forests in the Western Ghats of India

Expansion of coffee cultivation is one of the causes of deforestation and biodiversity loss. However, shade grown coffee has been promoted as a means for preserving biodiversity in the tropics. In this study we compared tree diversity in two types of coffee management regimes with the sacred groves in the Western Ghats of India. We computed species accumulation curves, species diversity indices and evenness indices to compare the different management regimes. Results of diversity indices showed that shade coffee had less diversity compared to sacred groves. Exotic species dominated the tree diversity in lands where the tree harvesting rights are with the growers. Native trees dominated the tree diversity when growers had no ownership rights on trees. A species accumulation curve suggested that the sacred grove had higher species richness compared to other two habitats. Lack of incentive to preserve endemic species as shade trees is forcing growers to plant more exotic species in shade grown coffee plots. If encouraged, shade grown coffee can preserve some biodiversity, but cannot provide all ecological benefits of a natural forest.     

The role of area enclosures and fallow age in the restoration of plant diversity in northern Ethiopia

This study investigated the roles played by area enclosures and fallow age in the restoration of plant species richness and soil seed bank species richness in degraded mountain rangelands in northern Ethiopia. Management types (enclosures versus grazed) influenced woody and herbaceous species richness, while fallow age showed no effect on the woody species. Management, age and the doubling of fallow age influenced the herbaceous species richness and species diversity. Management showed no effect on soil seed bank species richness. Fallow age and the doubling of fallow time also showed no influence on the soil seed bank of grass species, but they were influential on the forbs species soil seed bank. The trends for restoration of plant species richness and diversity and grass seed bank in response to fallow age were positive‐linear, but they declined when the fallow ages were doubled. The exception was the forbs seed bank showed linear trends when age of restoration was doubled. The data suggest that the restoration of degraded rangelands in the high mountain zones of northern Ethiopia was still in the weedy succession stages. Long‐term monitoring will be required to gain an informed understanding of the roles played by area enclosures and fallow age in the restoration of plant biodiversity.     

Response of plant species and life form diversity to variable fire histories and biomass in the jarrah forest of south‐west Australia

Frequent fires reduce the abundance of woody plant species and favour herbaceous species. Plant species richness also tends to increase with decreasing vegetation biomass and cover due to reduced competition for light. We assessed the influence of variable fire histories and site biomass on the following diversity measures: woody and herbaceous species richness, overall species richness and evenness, and life form evenness (i.e. the relative abundance or dominance among six herbaceous and six woody plant life forms), across 16 mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest stands in south‐west Australia. Fire frequency was defined as the total number of fires over a 30‐year period. Overall species richness and species evenness did not vary with fire frequency or biomass. However, there were more herbaceous species (particularly rushes, geophytes and herbs) where there were fewer shrubs and low biomass, suggesting that more herbaceous species coexist where dominance by shrubs is low. Frequently burnt plots also had lower number and abundance of shrub species. Life form evenness was also higher at both high fire frequency and low biomass sites. These results suggest that the impact of fire frequency and biomass on vegetation composition is mediated by local interactions among different life forms rather than among individual species. Our results demonstrate that measuring the variation in the relative diversity of different woody and herbaceous life forms is crucial to understanding the compositional response of forests and other structurally complex vegetation communities to changes in disturbance regime such as increased fire frequency.     

Composition of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time

Abstract. A regional vegetation survey of the temperate grassy woodlands (temperate savanna) in Australia was designed to assess the effects of clearing and grazing on the composition of vegetation remnants and the adjacent pasture matrix. Vegetation was sampled across a range of habitats using 77 0.1024‐ha quadrats; the relative abundance of species was recorded. Classification analysis clustered the sites into three main groups that corresponded to intensity of grazing/clearing followed by groups based on underlying lithology (basalt, metasediment, granites). Using Canonical Correspondence Analysis, exogenous disturbance and environmental variables were related to the relative abundance of species; grazing intensity had the highest eigenvalue (0.27) followed by tree canopy cover (0.25), lithology (0.18), altitude (0.17) and slope (0.10). Based on two‐dimensional ordination scores, six species response groups were defined relating to intensity of pastoralism and nutrient status of the landscape. Abundance and dominance of native shrubs, sub‐shrubs, twiners and geophytes were strongly associated with areas of less‐intense pastoralism on low‐nutrient soils. The strongest effects on species richness were grazing followed by canopy cover. Continuously grazed sites had lower native species richness across all growth forms except native grasses. There was no indication that intermediate grazing intensities enhanced forb richness as a result of competitive release. Species richness for all native plants was lowest where trees were absent especially under grazed conditions. Canopy cover in ungrazed sites appeared to promote the co‐existence of shrubs with the herbaceous layer. Predicted declines in forb richness in treeless, ungrazed, sites were not detected. The lack of a disturbance‐mediated enhancement of the herbaceous layer was attributed to habitat heterogeneity at 0.1 ha sampling scale.     

陕南秦巴山区药用植物群落物种多样性研究

采用样方法对陕南秦巴山区药用植物群落物种多样性进行了研究。结果显示,该地区药用植物共计105科268属361种,其中药用裸子植物5科6属7种,药用被子植物92科254属344种,药用蕨类植物7科8属10种;含1属的科、含2~5属的科和含1种的属的药用植物数量较多,所占比例较高;该地区各植被类型的物种多样性变化各具特点,其中,物种丰富度指数(S)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)及Simpson多样性指数(D)表现为:乔木层最小、灌木层较大、草本层最大,但Pielou物种均匀度指数(J)的变化较为复杂;药用植物群落总的物种丰富度、乔木层物种丰富度和草本层物种丰富度均随海拔的升高表现出先升高后下降的趋势,且物种丰富度最大值出现在海拔1000~1200 m的山地常绿落叶阔叶林和温性针阔混交林的过渡区域,但灌木层物种丰富度与海拔之间无相关关系。本研究结果为阐明山地物种多样性的分布格局提供了基础资料,也为该区域药用植物的保护和管理提供参考。     

Biodiversity Conservation in Sacred Groves of Manipur, Northeast India: Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Species

Sacred groves are forest patches conserved by the local people intertwined with their socio-cultural and religious practice. These groves harbour rich biodiversity and play a significant role in the conservation of biodiversity. Population structure and regeneration status of woody species were studied during 2001–2002 in the four sacred groves of Manipur, a state in north east India. A total of 96 woody species was recorded from the four groves, the highest being Konthoujam Lairembi sacred grove (55 species) and lowest in Heingang Marjing sacred grove having 42 species. The density–diameter distribution of woody species in the four groves showed highest stand density and species richness in the lowest girth class (30–60 cm) and decreased in the succeeding girth classes. Overall population structure of the groves based on the number of tree seedlings, saplings and adults, displayed a greater proportion of seedlings followed by saplings and adults while for the selected tree species it varied seasonally and recruitment of species increased during rainy season attaining peak during June. Regeneration status of the four sacred groves based on strength of different age groups in their population showed good regeneration. High occurrence of ‘additional species’ to the groves may be due to the invasion through dispersal from other areas. Possibly, the prevailing favourable microenvironmental conditions contributed to their establishment and growth in the groves. Absence of seedlings and saplings of some of the species in the groves may be due to their poor seed germination and establishment of seedlings in the forest.     

Tree diversity in sacred groves of the Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, northeast India

Biodiversity of woody species was investigated in Ialong and Raliangsacred groves of the Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, northeast India. These grovesrepresent the climax subtropical broad-leaved forest of the area. A total of 738individuals belonging to 82 species, 59 genera and 39 families was identified ina 0.5 ha plot of the Ialong sacred grove, whereas the same area in theRaliang sacred grove had 469 individuals of 80 species, 62 genera and 41families. About 32% species were common to both groves. Lauraceae, with10–17 species, was the dominant family. The canopy and subcanopy stratawere respectively composed of 28 and 33% of the total tree species in theforest. The number of species as well as stem density were greater for the treesof lower dbh (5–15 cm) class compared to the higher (> 66cm) dbh class. The majority of the species showed a contagiousdistribution pattern and low frequency. The basal area varied from 57.4 to 71.4m² ha^–1. Species richness within theforest varied from 3 to 15 per 100 m² in Ialong and 3 to 12 per 100m² in Raliang. The dominance–distribution curves showed highequitability and low dominance in both groves.     

Bird diversity and endemism along a land‐use gradient in Madagascar: The conservation value of vanilla agroforests

Land‐use change is the most important driver of biodiversity loss worldwide and particularly so in the tropics, where natural habitats are transformed into large‐scale monocultures or heterogeneous landscape mosaics of largely unknown conservation value. Using birds as an indicator taxon, we evaluated the conservation value of a landscape mosaic in northeastern Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot and the center of global vanilla production. We assessed bird species richness and composition by conducting point counts across seven prevalent land‐use types (forest‐ and fallow‐derived vanilla agroforests, woody and herbaceous fallow that are part of a shifting cultivation system, rice paddy, forest fragment and contiguous old‐growth forest). We find that old‐growth forest had the highest species richness, driven by a high share of endemics. Species richness and community composition in forest‐derived vanilla agroforest were similar to forest fragment, whereas fallow‐derived vanilla agroforest was most comparable to woody fallow. The open land‐use types herbaceous fallow and rice paddy had fewest species. Across forest fragments, vanilla agroforests, and woody fallows, endemic bird species richness was positively correlated to landscape‐scale forest cover. We conclude that both fallow‐ and forest‐derived vanilla agroforests play an important but contrasting role for bird conservation: Fallow‐derived agroforests are less valuable but take fallow land out of the shifting cultivation cycle, possibly preventing further degradation. Conversely, forest‐derived agroforests contribute to forest degradation but may avoid total loss of tree cover from forest fragments. Considering the land‐use history of agroforests may thus be a promising avenue for future research beyond the case of vanilla. Abstract in Malagasay is available with online material     

Species richness and phylogenetic diversity of seed plants across vegetation zones of Mount Kenya,East Africa

Mount Kenya is of ecological importance in tropical east Africa due to the dramatic gradient in vegetation types that can be observed from low to high elevation zones. However, species richness and phylogenetic diversity of this mountain have not been well studied. Here, we surveyed distribution patterns for a total of 1,335 seed plants of this mountain and calculated species richness and phylogenetic diversity across seven vegetation zones. We also measured phylogenetic structure using the net relatedness index (NRI) and the nearest species index (NTI). Our results show that lower montane wet forest has the highest level of species richness, density, and phylogenetic diversity of woody plants, while lower montane dry forest has the highest level of species richness, density, and phylogenetic diversity in herbaceous plants. In total plants, NRI and NTI of four forest zones were smaller than three alpine zones. In woody plants, lower montane wet forest and upper montane forest have overdispersed phylogenetic structures. In herbaceous plants, NRI of Afro‐alpine zone and nival zone are smaller than those of bamboo zone, upper montane forest, and heath zone. We suggest that compared to open dry forest, humid forest has fewer herbaceous plants because of the closed canopy of woody plants. Woody plants may have climate‐dominated niches, whereas herbaceous plants may have edaphic and microhabitat‐dominated niches. We also proposed lower and upper montane forests with high species richness or overdispersed phylogenetic structures as the priority areas in conservation of Mount Kenya and other high mountains in the Eastern Afro‐montane biodiversity hotspot regions.     

The species richness–productivity relationship in the herb layer of European deciduous forests

Aim In contrast to non‐forest vegetation, the species richness–productivity (SR‐P) relationship in forests still remains insufficiently explored. Several studies have focused on the diversity of the tree layer, but the species richness of temperate deciduous forests is mainly determined by their species‐rich herb layer. The factors controlling herb‐layer productivity may differ from those affecting tree layers or open herbaceous vegetation, and thus the SR‐P relationship and its underlying processes may differ. However, the few relevant studies have reported controversial results. Here we explore the SR‐P relationship in the forest herb layer across different areas from oceanic to continental Europe, and put the effect of habitat productivity on species richness into context with other key factors, namely soil pH and light availability. Location North‐western Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and southern Urals (Russia). Methods We measured herb‐layer species richness and biomass, soil pH and tree‐layer cover in 156 vegetation plots of 100 m² in deciduous forests. We analysed the SR‐P relationship and the relative importance of environmental variables using regression models for particular areas and separate forest types. Results We found a consistent monotonic increase in the herb‐layer species richness with productivity across all study areas and all forest types. Soil pH and light availability also affected species richness, but their relative importance differed among areas. Main conclusions We suggest that the monotonically increasing SR‐P relationship in the forest herb layer results from the fact that herb‐layer productivity is limited by canopy shading; competition within the herb layer is therefore not strong enough to exclude many species. This differs fundamentally from open herbaceous vegetation, which is not subject to such productivity limits and consequently exhibits a unimodal SR‐P relationship. We present a conceptual model that might explain the differences in the SR‐P relationship between the forest herb layer and open herbaceous vegetation.     

Vascular plant diversity in the sacred groves of Jaintia Hills in northeast India

Diversity of vascular plants was studied in three sacred groves of the Jaintia Hills, in northeast India. About 395 species, 250 genera, and 108 families comprising pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms were found in the groves. Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae and Lauraceae were dominant families and Ficus was the largest genus, with nine species. About 160 tree species were distributed in canopy, subcanopy and under canopy strata of the forest. Concentration of tropical and temperate elements of the neighbouring Sino-Himalayan and Burma-Malayan regions, and endemic (54 species), rare (31 species) and primitive taxa (38 species) due to favourable climatic conditions and prolonged protection have contributed to the high species richness of the groves. Their better management and protection is important for the conservation of plant diversity in the region and also for the benefit of indigenous tribes of the state.     

Ecological impact of tobacco farming in miombo woodlands of Urambo District, Tanzania

This paper examines the ecological threat of tobacco farming in Urambo District, the leading producer of flue‐cured tobacco in Tanzania with other major producers being Tabora, Iringa and Chunya Districts. Structured interviews were conducted in four villages while 39 Modified‐Whittacker plots were laid in tobacco fallow lands for inventory of woody species to ascertain ecological performance and the impact of tobacco on species diversity, richness and standing stock functions. There was higher than expected species richness with a total of 115 tree and shrub species identified. Tobacco farming showed no significant negative effect on the floristic composition and stem density. However, the significantly reduced biomass and change in vegetation structure illustrate the potential loss in ecological function of the woodlands. Land clearing for tobacco planting account to an annual deforestation of 3.5% while on average a farmer requires 23 m³ of stacked wood only for curing per season which adds another 3% of deforestation. Shifting cultivation is no longer sustainable given the shortened fallow periods of 4 years. Improved barn structures, alternative sources of fuel like coal, tree planting, mixed cropping and cash crops that are environment friendly are recommended for ecological restoration.     

Ecosystem Restoration of Jhum Fallows in Northeast India: Microbial C and N Along Altitudinal and Successional Gradients

Abstract To characterize the altitudinal and successional trends in microbial biomass and to understand their role in soil nutrient dynamics during the aggradation phase (vegetation recovery) of abandoned shifting cultivation systems, we determined the soil properties and microbial C and N in jhum (slash‐and‐burn) cultivation systems at different altitudes and 1‐, 7‐, and 16‐year‐old fallow agricultural lands at lower and higher altitudes in the northeastern Indian hills. Density of ground vegetation was lower in the undisturbed forest than in the jhum fallows. In general, 1‐year jhum fallow had greater herbaceous vegetation both at lower and higher altitudes. Although woody plants were observed in 7‐ and 16‐year‐old jhum fallows, their density was highest in the forest. Soil moisture, organic C, and total N also increased gradually with increasing altitude and progressive secondary succession. Soil pH showed a negative correlation with altitude (as also confounded by soil type) and fallow age. Both microbial C and N had a close correlation with altitude and fallow age. Contribution of microbial C to soil organic C was 2.0–2.6% and microbial N to total N 1.4–2.2% in jhum fields, 2.4–4.3% and 1.2–2.1%, respectively, in jhum fallows, and 2.5–2.9% and 1.6–1.9% in the forests. Microbial C and N showed a negative correlation with herbaceous plant density. Microbial biomass in the jhum fallows and forest stands had a positive relationship with woody vegetation. Along an altitudinal and/or successional gradient, microbial C and N were positively correlated with water‐holding capacity, soil moisture, organic C, and total N and negatively correlated with soil pH. Microbial C and N were positively correlated with each other. Therefore, the study suggests that the altitudinal and successional dynamics of microbial C and N are linked to, among other properties, soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents in the soil during community development after land abandonment from shifting cultivation.     

云南楚雄彝族的“神树林”与生物多样性保护

所述的“神树林”是广泛意义上的概念,包括多种因文化信仰而保护的各种森林块.这些森林块不仅有多种的生态功能,也是村社水平生物多样性相对集中的地方.通过对云南楚雄彝族的“神树林”进行了广泛调查,取样比较了自然保护区、村社集体林和“神树林”3种不同管理模式下的森林群落的植物物种多样性,结果表明“神树林”群落的物种总数(67)、样方特有种(17)、Shannon-Wiener物种多样性指数(2.96)都显著高于自然保护区群落(分别为44、8、2.17)和集体林群落(分别为34、4、2.39),表明云南楚雄彝族的“神树林”在当地生物多样性保护和管理中有着不可低估的作用.     

云南楚雄彝族的"神树林"与生物多样性保护

所述的“神树林”是广泛意义上的的概念,包括多种因文化信仰面保护的各种森林块,这些森林块不仅有多种的生态功能,也是村社水平生物多样性相对集中的地方,通过对云南楚雄彝族的“神树林”进行了广泛调查,取样比较了自然保护区,村社集体林和“神树林”３种不同管理模式下的森林群落的植物物种多样性,结果表明“神树林”群落的物种总数的植物物种多样性,结果表明“神树林”群落的物种总数（６７）、样方特有种（１７）、Ｓｈａ     

Richness, Abundance, and Complementarity of Fruit-feeding Butterfly Species in Relict Sacred Forests and Forest Reserves of Ghana

Sacred forest groves in Ghana are centuries old protected areas that were once part of continuous forest cover but now mostly exist as relict forest patches embedded in an agropastoral landscape. We conducted a year-long survey of the fruit-feeding butterfly fauna of four sacred groves and two forest reserves in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana to characterize resident species diversity and complementarity among communities. Joint analysis of frugivorous butterfly diversity at these six forest fragments, which ranged in size from 6 to 5000 ha, was used to evaluate the conservation potential of these ancient indigenous reserves. A total of 6836 individuals were trapped across all sites, representing 79 species and five subfamilies. Community diversity was characterized in terms of, (a) number of species accumulated versus sampling effort, (b) rarefied species richness, (c) nonparametric richness estimates, (d) species evenness, (e) Simpson’s Index of Diversity, and (f) complementarity of communities. Diversity of the fruit-feeding butterfly communities, quantified in terms of both species evenness and rarefied species richness, was higher at the larger forest reserves than at the small sacred forest groves. Additionally, although all sites had species trapped only at that site, the 5000-ha forest reserve harbored a resident community that was clearly distinctive from and more diverse than the other communities including the other forest reserve. Hence, our findings add to the burgeoning body of data that indicates large reserves are the foundation of successful conservation programs. Nonetheless, we found these small forest patches contribute to biodiversity conservation in at least three ways and these are identified and discussed. We also identify a number of species that appear more or less vulnerable to dynamics of forest fragmentation based on changes in their relative abundance across sites and we interpret these data in the context of potential indicator species and theoretical predictions of at-risk species.     

伊犁河谷北坡垂直分布格局及其与环境的关系——一种特殊的双峰分布格局

针对伊犁河谷北坡山地的植物多样性和土壤因子沿海拔的分布方式进行研究。对研究地海拔1000-2200m植物和环境特征进行调查,选取群落样地总数为44个,共调查到植物种155种,其中乔木7种、灌木18种、草本130种,调查到的群落类型完全涵盖了研究区所有沿海拔上升的群落类型。通过NLFS高级模拟显示总的物种丰富度、Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数都与海拔呈现先升高后降低,再升高的一个特殊分布格局。出现了两个较高的物种丰富度地带,其中一个是低山荒漠到落叶阔叶林,另一个是山地草原到针叶林带。土壤养分和盐分也表现出了类似多样性的分布格局。通过PCA和相关分析表明,环境因子控制着物种丰富度和它的分布方式。水分在低海拔比较重要,在高海拔温度比较重要,而由于逆温层的作用,在较高海拔的针叶林带物种多样性出现了上升。物种丰富度与土壤总盐呈现显著负相关关系(r=-0.343),与土壤全盐也呈现显著负相关关系(r=-0.341)。Simpson指数与土壤pH值呈现显著负相关关系(r=-0.465)。Shannon-Wiener指数与土壤电导率呈现显著负相关关系(r=-0.367)。Pielou均匀度指数与土壤电导率呈现极显著负相关关系(r=-0.477),总之,多样性指数和土样盐分表现出了强相关性。这个研究为伊犁河谷植被与植物资源的保护和利用提供重要的科学依据,为河谷区山地植被与环境关系提供基础科学理论,为山地退化植被的修复提供参考案例和可借鉴的基础性数据。     

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.