Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Forestry is an important part of the Swedish economy, and fast-growing broadleaf (FGB) plantations are likely to increase their contribution due to the increasing interest in bioenergy. However, these plantations might not be as valuable for natural assets like biodiversity and support fewer forest specialist species. Ants play major roles in ecosystems and can serve as bioindicators. In this study, I investigate differences in ant community makeup between FGB (Betula pendula, Populus tremula × P. tremuloides and Populus sp.) stands and oak (Quercus robur) stands with longer rotation in Scania. I expect more forest specialist (forest guild) species in oak stands compared to FGB stands.
My results showed (A) no difference between the total number of forest specialist species found and whether a stand was an oak stand or an FGB stand. However, using abundance data from vacuum and bait samples, I found (B) significantly different ant communities in oak stands compared to FGB stands. I also found (C) that a larger dominance of forest specialist species at each sample was seen in oak stands compared to FGB stands, and that the proportion of forest specialised species between oak and FGB stands not homogenous is.
Secondly, I tested whether results from vacuum sampling were different from bait sampling. The only significant difference was that the vacuum sampling process took considerably more time to carry out.
I advise that further research replace vacuum sampling with pitfall traps or more extensive free catch searches. My conclusions partly substantiate the consensus that Quercus is a highly valuable genus, with Quercus forests providing the most species-rich forest type. And I affirm the value of Quercus robur by finding a stronger forest specialist species presence than in FGB forest stands. It would, nevertheless, be worthwhile to broaden this research by including multiple stands across Sweden, natural reserves, and coniferous stands. This is to provide a comprehensive overview of the impacts on ant communities.