Effects of Clearfell Harvesting on Lucanid Beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Wet and Dry Sclerophyll Forests in Tasmania

摘要: The effects of commercial forestry harvest and regeneration practices (clearfelling slash-burning) on the lucanid fauna wet sclerophyll forests southern Tasmania dry eastern were examined using pitfall catches. Lucanids are saproxylic beetles, dependent dead, moribund decaying wood. Samples taken from old-growth forest a chronosequence sites regenerating after logging, in each type, used to compare species richness abundance assemblages. In both types, was highest youngest (1–3 year), reflecting original adjacent unlogged forest, lowest older (20–25 year) sites, variable sites. TWINSPAN cluster analysis showed no clear distinction between forest. post-harvest slash stump residue provided an important refugium initial habitat, but our research indicates that some may not maintain populations long term. Our results suggest most lucanids will find continuous supply suitable habitat only forests; such become less common as clearfell harvesting leads replacement heterogeneous with single-aged monospecific stands. Continuity wood all decay stages, maintenance sufficient source areas, biological connectivity stands enable dispersal, likely be essential beetle community integrity. If similar principles apply other invertebrate, then clearfelling slash-burning cause gradual extinction element biota.