JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (6): 236-242.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202203058

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Abundance and diversity of soil beetles on the forest floor in different aged poplar plantations

YAN Zhengming1(), RUAN Honghua1,*(), LIAO Jiahui1, SHI Ke1, NI Juanping1, CAO Guohua2, SHEN Caiqin2, DING Xuenong2, ZHAO Xiaolong2, ZHUANG Xin2   

  1. 1. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China,College of Ecology and Environment,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037,China
    2. Dongtai City Forest Farm of Jiangsu Province,Dongtai 224200,China
  • Received:2022-03-27 Revised:2022-12-31 Online:2023-11-30 Published:2023-11-23

Abstract:

【Objective】Beetles, as important biological components of forest ecosystems, can regulate litter decomposition and soil ecological processes. The authors aims to reveal the diversity characteristics of surface beetle communities in different aged poplar plantations and provide scientific support for exploring the structure, function and productivity maintenance for poplar plantations ecosystems.【Method】Poplar plantations of different stand ages (i.e., 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years) in the Yellow Sea Forest Park in Dongtai City of Jiangsu Province were selected for research conducted from 2020 to 2021. A pasteurized pot inducement method was used to collect different soil beetles. We investigated soil beetle community composition, structure and diversity characteristics in select poplar plantations.【Result】A total of 1 460 soil beetle specimens were collected during the study period, belonging to seven families and 28 species. The dominant species were Dolichus halensis, Agonum gracilipes, Harpalus chalcentus and Amara gigantea, which accounted for 79.11% of the total individuals. Common species were Harpalus calceatus, Harpalus griseus, Hypera conmaculata, Chlaenius micans, Harpalus amplicollis and Chlaenius costiger, accounting for 15.82% of the total number of individuals, and the remaining 18 species were rare populations, accounting for only 5.07% of the total number of individuals. The 12-year-old poplar plantation had significantly more beetle species and total individuals than other stand ages, while the 18-year-old poplar forest had the lowest. The species diversity of soil beetles varied by 33.83% across all plantation ages. Diversity increased first and then decreased with age of poplar plantation, with maximum and minimum values in the 12-year-old and 18-year-old plantations, respectively. There was no significant difference in beetle diversity in 6-, 9-, and 15-year-old poplar plantations.【Conclusion】Our study clarified that the individual number and species diversity of soil beetles are closely related to the growth and development stages of poplar plantations. Middle-aged stands in the rapid growth and development stage have higher beetle species diversity while mature stages or older stands have lower beetle species diversity. This study provides a theoretical basis for the protection of soil biodiversity in poplar plantations and the sustainable management of plantations.

Key words: poplar plantation, forest age, soil beetle, community structure, community diversity

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