School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
J Insect Sci. 2021 Sep 1;21(5). doi: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab071.
Hollows of veteran trees (i.e., rot holes) provide habitat for many rare and threatened saproxylic invertebrates. Rot holes are highly heterogeneous, particularly in terms of substrate and microclimate conditions. There is, however, a dearth of information regarding the differences in biological communities inhabiting rot holes with different environmental conditions. Invertebrates were sampled from European beech (Fagus sylvatica) rot holes in Windsor, Savernake, and Epping Forests (United Kingdom). For each rot hole, physical and environmental conditions were measured, including tree diameter, rot hole dimensions, rot hole height, substrate density, water content, and water potential. These parameters were used to assess the influence of environmental conditions and habitat characteristics on invertebrate communities. Rot hole invertebrate communities were extremely diverse, containing both woodland generalist and saproxylic specialist taxa. Large variation in community structure was observed between rot holes and across woodlands; all sites supported threatened and endangered taxa. Environmental conditions in rot holes were highly variable within and between woodland sites, and communities were predominantly structured by these environmental conditions. In particular, turnover between invertebrate communities was linked to high β-diversity. The linked heterogeneity of environmental conditions and invertebrate communities in rot holes suggests that management of deadwood habitats in woodlands should strive to generate environmental heterogeneity to promote invertebrate diversity. Additional research is required to define how management and conservation activities can further promote enhanced biodiversity across rot holes.
老龄树的空洞（即腐朽洞）为许多珍稀和受威胁的腐木无脊椎动物提供了栖息地。腐朽洞具有高度的异质性，尤其是在基质和小气候条件方面。然而，关于栖息在具有不同环境条件的腐朽洞中生物群落差异的信息却很少。从英国温莎、萨弗纳克和埃平森林的欧洲山毛榉（Fagus sylvatica）腐朽洞中采集了无脊椎动物样本。对于每个腐朽洞，都测量了物理和环境条件，包括树径、腐朽洞尺寸、腐朽洞高度、基质密度、含水量和水势。这些参数用于评估环境条件和栖息地特征对无脊椎动物群落的影响。腐朽洞无脊椎动物群落非常多样化，包含林地一般物种和腐木专性物种。在腐朽洞之间和整个林地中观察到群落结构的巨大差异；所有地点都支持受威胁和濒危的类群。腐朽洞中的环境条件在林地内和林地之间变化很大，群落主要由这些环境条件构成。特别是，无脊椎动物群落之间的周转率与高β多样性有关。腐朽洞中环境条件和无脊椎动物群落的连锁异质性表明，林地中枯木栖息地的管理应努力产生环境异质性，以促进无脊椎动物多样性。需要进一步研究如何通过管理和保护活动来进一步促进腐朽洞中的生物多样性增强。
