The influence of stand structure and composition on diversity of canopy Coleoptera in coniferous plantations in Britain

Canopy Coleoptera were sampled from chronosequences of a range of forest types in Britain, using a thermal fogging technique, and related to a number of structural and compositional variables as part of a wider biodiversity assessment programme. Results show that most variation in community composition is related to geographical factors and tree species. Chronosequence stage had an influence on overall numbers of individuals and species, related to increases in leaf area index (LAI) and cover index (CI), which reached a peak in the mid-rotation plots. Saproxylic species showed a progressive increase through the chronosequence, but no relationship was found between their abundance and amounts of fallen deadwood recorded. Canopy Coleoptera have limited value as biodiversity indicators based on these results, due to the varied influences affecting their abundance, species richness and diversity. However, it is possible that measures of vertical stand structure could act as a surrogate measure for the prediction of canopy Coleoptera communities in British forests.