Composition of psocid taxocenoses (Insecta: Psocoptera) in dependence on the level of naturalness of forest ecosystems in the Žďárské vrchy hills

Abstract

In 1999-2000 in the Protected Landscape Area (PLA) Žďárské vrchy hills the occurrence of psocids (Psocoptera) was studied in different types of biotopes: natural forest ecosystems (stands of Fagus sylvatica with individual admixture of Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus, Picea abies), changed forest ecosystems (monoculture of Picea abies), young plantations in forest stands, disperse forest vegetation (solitary trees), and also non-forest ecosystems - agrocenoses, meadows and grazing lands. A total of 10,560 adults in 20 species were found. Three groups of biotopes with specific psocid taxocenosis were found out by computed cluster analysis - l. natural forest stands with dominance of Fagus sylvatica, 2. disperse tree vegetation and solitary trees in cultural landscape, and 3. forest stands remote to nature (monoculture of Picea abies). Occurrence of psocids was observed from the beginning of May to mid- November. Maximum of abundance was found in September.

Keywords

• psocoptera
• types of forest ecosystems
• protected landscape area žďárské vrchy
• žďárský biogeographical region
• czech republic