Anthropogenic transformation of ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Bialowieza Forest, Poland: from primeval forests to managed woodlands of various ages

Abstract

The interference of man in the primeval forest of Bialowieza (e. g. clear-cutting and reforesting fertile habitats with pine or spruce) brings about changes in carabid assemblages, including a reduction in the proportion of individuals of relict species, reduction in the mean individual biomass (MIB) and in the sum of positive characteristics (SPC; a summary indicator). Human impact in forest ecosystems causes losses of some relict species and a gain of ubiquitous species. I com— pared the carabid faunas of pristine forests to those of various stages of clear-cut originated succession. Clear-cutting caused a drastic decrease in MIB, a reduction in the proportion of brachypterous species, and an increase in both the number of hygrophilous species and their proportion in the assemblage.