ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF HEATHLAND CARABIDAE IN EASTERN ENGLAND

The history, ecology and conservation of three distinctive areas of he athland in eastern England are discussed: the Humberhead Levels, the L incolnshire cover-sand heaths, and the East Anglian Breckland. The bio geographic and habitat affinities of the carabid faunas of the three a reas are examined. Breckland is identified as a stronghold for a chara cteristic and declining carabid fauna. Analysis of the biotope prefere nces of these carabids reveals the importance of a previously unrecogn ised and currently unprotected 'traditional arable' biotope. Effective carabid conservation, at least in heathlands, must begin with baselin e survey for carabids, independent of any pre-existing botanically-def ined protected area system.