engleski

Rolled beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves as microhabitat for small terrestric invertebrates

The main aim of this study was to: (i) investigate the abundance and taxonomic and functional diversity of terrestric invertebrates inhabiting beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves within Nature park Medvednica, and (ii) determine whether rolled leaves affect the abundance and diversity of terrestric invertebrates inhabiting beech forests. Young beech leaves were rolled in cylindrical shape and left for ten-day exposure to allow invertebrate colonisation. Unrolled leaves were used as a control. Every collected individual was determined to the lowest possible taxonomic level and was assigned to a feeding guild. In total, 48 taxa were recorded, out of which woolly beech aphid (Phyllaphis fagi) was the most abundant. Compared to unrolled leaves, rolled leaves had significantly greater total abundance and taxa richness, which aligns with other similar research. Study site located at higher altitude had greater total abundance of individuals, which was accompanied with greater abundance of herbivores. Possible explanation could be a difference in illuminance between the two study sites. Across seasons, a change in the herbivore ratio in the total abundance was observed - the highest ratio of herbivores was observed in June and the lowest in September. This study confirms that rolled leaves can have significant effect on total abundance and taxa diversity of terrestric invertebrates in beech forests.

ecosystem engineers ; leaf shelters ; functional diversity ; Simpson's diversity index

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