A study of the community structures of dead wood dwelling arthropods

Background/Question/Methods

The dead wood–dwelling arthropod communities were surveyed from 2010 April to 2011 October in three areas (Mt. Woonak, Mt. Wolchul, Mt. Jingang). Arthropods were sampled with an active trap (vacuum aspirator). Arthropod species were classified regarding their functional association as herbivores, fungivores, xylophagous, saproxylophagous, detritivores, and predators. Arthropod communities with variables (tree species, decay stages, area, functional groups, trap) were analyzed.

Results/Conclusions

 We collected 8,792 arthropods during our study. These consisted of 5 classes, 20 orders, 58 families, and 93 species. But larva was not counted (Larva: 17 species, 93 individuals). The species richness and abundance of arthropods were increased along with the progress of the decay stages for the conifer and deciduous. The species richness index was increased and the evenness index was shown to be at a lower value at the late decay stage than at the other decay stages. The diversity index (H’) in conifer was lower than the deciduous at the early decay stage. The deciduous was lower than the conifer at the decay stage. Arthropod communities of functional groups, except the xylophagous were not different in the variables. Xylophagous increased as the decay stages progressed. The abundance of arthropods and xylophagous were significantly different statistically. Overall, the logs play an important role for arthropods as habitats. They are also an excellent source of nutrients. Thus, we realize that the dead woods are important as a component factor in the forest. When we come up with forest management measures with these important facts, so that dead wood has a good role in the forest, the arthropod community, the species biodiversity of arthropods and higher predator biodiversity will be more complex and maintainable.