Vedlevande skalbaggar och andra naturvärden i brukad bokskog - En fallstudie av Tingvallaravinen i Skåne

Sammanfattning: Nature is in many ways crucial for human survival. However, due to human activity and exploitation, unique species and habitats are at risk of extinction. The forest is one habitat that has been deeply afflicted. A massive loss of forests worldwide due to intense forestry has led to a defeat of biodiversity. Saproxylic beetles is one group of forest dwellers that has been affected by habitat loss. The deficiency of dead wood leaves several species at risk of extinction. The aim of the study was to investigate the nature values in a forestry area focusing on saproxylic beetles. The study was performed as a case study of a forestry area called Tingvallaravinen in southern Sweden. A beetle survey was performed using two kind of traps (window traps and pitfall traps) and two manual methods (netting and active search). The beetle survey was combined with a deadwood survey and a nature assets survey (used to identify valuable biotopes and element). To understand the areas nature value in a landscape perspective previous founding of saproxylic beetles in three protected nature areas in proximity of the study area was scrutinised. A total of 186 specimen of 56 beetle species were trapped, of which 20 were saproxylic. Three red-listed species, Prionus coriarius, Eucnemis capucina and Triplax rufipes (all saproxylic), were identified. The dead wood survey revealed that, on average the area holds 1.4 logs of dead wood/ha and the volume of dead wood totalled to 1.9m3/ha. The nature assets survey resulted in the identification of ten nature value object, of which five was given nature value class 2 (second to the highest). The results indicate that the forest area of Tingvalla is a low-quality habitat for saproxylic beetles. The species present in the area has either migrated there from protected areas close by (in a source-sink dynamic) or exist as a relict population. However, the presence of saproxylic beetles indicates that the area despite flaws, works as habitat for the beetles. Thus, do the area contribute with habitat in the over-all landscape, a part that can be strengthen if the habitat quality improves. Conservation schemes should therefore aim to conserve and develop the forests valuable nature assets and to protect endangered species.