Pr. Holmes et al., THE GROUND BEETLE (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) FAUNA OF WELSH PEATLAND BIOTOPES - SPECIES ASSEMBLAGES IN RELATION TO PEATLAND HABITATS AND MANAGEMENT, Biological Conservation, 65(1), 1993, pp. 61-67
Assemblages of ground beetles were studied from peatland sites through
out Wales. Sampling stations were grouped into 14 habitats based on ch
aracters of hydrology, nutrient status, structure and management. The
assemblage of ground beetles present in each habitat was examined to d
etermine the frequency and abundance of each species. For most of the
habitats the main components of the ground beetle fauna were Pterostic
hus diligens and P. nigrita s.l., plus Loricera pilicornis, Agonum ful
iginosum and A. thoreyi in more nutrient-rich sites, although the rela
tive proportions and absolute numbers of each of these species varied
between habitats. Four habitats-managed heaths, managed fens, reedbeds
and unmanaged raised bogs-were characterised by the presence of speci
es which were neither constant nor regular in any other habitat. The r
esults can be used by conservation managers to examine sites, and wher
e the ground beetle assemblage differs markedly from that expected for
the habitat, site, management can be adjusted if necessary.