ECOLOGICAL AND FAUNISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUND BEETLECOMMUNITIES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) UNDER MEASURES TO REDUCETHE RISK OF DEGRADATION OF MARSH COMPLEXES ON THE TERRITORYOF THE RESERVE “ZVANETS”

Abstract

The diversity of ground beetle species was studied in different parts of the lowland swamp in the Zvanets
reserve. A total of 22 species of ground beetles (Carabidae) were collected. The dominant structure of ground beetle
communities, the spectrum of life forms, and the structure of beetle complexes by habitat preference and
hygropreferendum were analyzed. Taking measures to reduce the risk of degradation of wetland complexes favorably
affects increase in the number of species and diversity of the ecological structure of the ground beetle community.
Increasing the species diversity and change in the dominant structure of carabid communities was registered on the
plots where different measures were taken (mowing and regulated burning) in comparison with plots with dense reed.
Effectiveness of the measures of vegetation mowing consists in the increase in the carabid species diversity and it is
higher in comparison with that of burning which influenced only the increases in the number of beetles. The activities
undertaken positively affect the diversity of the carabid life forms and ecological groups by habitat preference.

Key words: Carabidae; ground beetle; ecological structure; species structure; Zvanets reserve; Belarus.

Fig. 5. Table 3. Ref.: 6 titles