The impact of forest harvesting on forest floor coleoptera of balsam fir forests of Western Newfoundland

McCarthy, Megan Elaine (1996) The impact of forest harvesting on forest floor coleoptera of balsam fir forests of Western Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (4MB)

Abstract

The beetle fauna of old growth and previously harvested balsam fir forests of western Newfoundland was investigated from 1992 to 1994. Pitfall traps were placed in replicate sites of 40 year old, 60 year old and old growth forest stands of dry and moist fir forests. Over 20,000 beetles comprising 122 species were collected. Principle components analysis separated old growth sites from previously cut sites and dry forest sites from moist sites. Out of 122 species collected, 70 species were found in abundances of 5 or more individuals in total over the entire sampling period. Six of these species were found only in old growth forest stands, 6 were significantly more abundant in those stands, while 10 species were significantly more abundant in the previously cut stands. Four species were significantly more abundant in the 40 year old stands, while 2 species were significantly more abundant in the old growth and 60 year old stands, indicating possible recovery to old growth abundances 60 years after forest harvesting for some species. -- The old growth stands contained more and larger fallen logs, more mosses and Lycopodium, and a more open canopy. The difference in beetle composition between the old growth and previously cut sites may be a result of differences in the amount of suitable microhabitat, such as fallen logs and the low dispersal ability of many old growth forest species. The results of the study would suggest that forest harvesting rotations of 60 years may cause the extinction of some beetle species which are specialists in old growth forests.

Actions (login required)

View Item