TAXONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF TRUE BUGS(HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA) AND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA)IN INTACT FLOODPLAIN ECOSYSTEMS OF BELARUS

Abstract

The article discusses the taxonomic composition and ecological structure of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) in the intact floodplain ecosystems of five rivers in the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve and the National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”. In the intact ecosystems of the Berezinsky Reserve 171 species from the model orders of insects were found, and in disturbed ecosystems — 60 species. In Belovezhskaya Pushcha 93 species were recorded
in the intact ecosystems of floodplains and 83 species of bugs and beetles in disturbed plots of floodplain.

The species richness index (R) and the Margalef’s index (d), characterizing the species richness of intact floodplain ecosystems, show higher values compared to disturbed ecosystems.

The maximum value for bugs and beetles in intact floodplains: R — 7.11545 and 33.38921, respectively; and Margalef’s index (d) is 3.0902 and 3.06258, respectively. The maximum value for bugs and beetles in disturbed floodplains has lower values: R — 7.05184 and 21.26078, respectively; d — 3.06258 and 9.233438, respectively.

The decrease in the proportion of stenobiont species of beetles and bugs in the disturbed plots of river floodplains was revealed compared to intact ecosystems of floodplains (from 20.8 to 7.1 % in the Berezinsky Reserve, from 11.1 to 10.6 % in Belovezhskaya Pushcha). The ecological structure of bugs and beetles in intact floodplain ecosystems is characterized by the presence of 13 stenobiont species, which were not observed in the disturbed floodplain ecosystems of the studied rivers.

The article formulates the criteria for intact forest and meadow ecosystems in Belarus. Twenty one species of beetles and bugs (17 species of beetles, 4 species of bugs) were recorded, which can be used as indicators of the intact floodplain ecosystems.

Fig. 1. Table 2. Ref.: 11 titles.