Structure of Beetles (Coleoptera) in the Conditions of Agriculturally Used Land and Natural Habitat of the European Important Territory of the Dunajské luhy

Abstract

Floodplain forests are among the most threatened ecosystems in Europe, providing specific conditions for many species. The research in floodplain forests in conditions agrarian landscape and in the Dunajské Luhy Protected Landscape Area (important European territory) was conducted. During the years 2020–2022, 2827 individuals of beetles belonging to 93 species at 6 locations representing two types of habitats (willow–poplar floodplain forest, regenerated poplar forest) were recorded. The beetles were collected using the pitfall traps method. Through spatial modeling (redundancy analysis—RDA), we found a strong preference of species for floodplain forests located in the Dunajská Luhy Protected Landscape Area a European important territory, where there was also a predominance of adaptable and relict species. These species prefer a more stable environment and undisturbed ecosystems with a sufficient food optimum. On the contrary, number of species belonging to the eurytopic group correlated with the conditions of the agrarian landscape were recorded. Moreover, these species inhabit ecosystems disturbed by anthropic activity. We also confirmed a significant difference in the number of individuals and species between the use of the landscape (agrarian landscape, Dunajské Luhy). We confirmed a larger number of individuals and species in the Dunajské Luhy PLA (important European territory). Our results bring new information about the negative impact of the agroeciosystem on floodplain forests. In order to preserve the European important floodplain forests in the Dunajské Luhy Protected Landscape Area, it is necessary to know the ecological niches between beetles and ecosystems.