Habitat Preferences and Diversity Patterns of Saproxylic Beetles in Mediterranean Forest (…)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the diversity and ecological preferences of saproxylic beetles in the Berouaga Forest, part of the Edough Forest Massif in northeastern Algeria. Despite their key role in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling, saproxylic beetles remain under-studied in Mediterranean and North African forests. The study assesses the influence of seasonal variation and dominant tree species on saproxylic beetle assemblages. Sampling was conducted over a full year using Polytrap interception traps, Barber pitfall traps and direct observation. A total of 434 saproxylic individuals were recorded, representing 33 species and 15 families. Results revealed pronounced seasonal dynamics, with peak abundance and diversity in spring and summer. Tree species strongly shaped community structure: Buprestidae and Melyridae were dominant in cork oak forests, while Curculionidae were more associated with mixed forests. Dead wood presence and its decomposition stage significantly influenced species distributions. These findings demonstrate the importance of forest composition and dead wood heterogeneity in shaping saproxylic beetle communities, and provide critical baseline data for conservation and sustainable forest management in Mediterranean ecosystems.