Saproxylic Beetles (Coleoptera) Associated With Aspen Deadwood in Broad-Leaved Boreal Mixedwood Stands

• Author / Creator

  Wood, Charlene M

• I assessed deadwood-associated (i.e., ‘saproxylic’) beetles (Coleoptera) along a decay gradient of trembling aspen in mature deciduous stands of the boreal mixedwood forest in NW Alberta. Various collection methods were employed to sample saproxylic beetle species. Assemblages differed between host substrate types and decay classes. Many species were also associated with moss presence and percent bark cover. Although small (7 to 15.9 cm) diameter logs were most abundant in the stands, most indicator species were associated with logs ≥25 cm in diameter. Samples of saproxylic beetles varied greatly depending on collection method; however window trap captures were compositionally similar regardless of their placement (on snags or freely-hanging). This suggests that window traps are less appropriate for assessing small-scale habitat associations. Deadwood associations revealed here indicate that a wide range of substrate types, decay classes, and sizes are important features of saproxylic beetle habitats that should be retained for biodiversity conservation.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Collection method
  • Snag
  • Saproxylic
  • Coleoptera
  • Beetles
  • Decay
  • Forests
  • Biodiversity
  • Populus
  • Deadwood
  • Aspen

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3Z62C

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.