Carabidfauna of industrial zones of Tula

Background. Industrial zones are a special type of anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems. The species composition and morphoecological organization of ground beetles in such areas may differ from natural ecosystems. The purpose of the research is to study the species biodiversity of ground beetles and the range of their life forms in industrial zones in the city of Tula. Materials and methods. The material for the study was 1675 specimens of ground beetles collected in 2017–2021 in the sanitary protection zones of two metallurgical plants, as well as in control areas. Results. In the areas of metallurgical enterprises and in control areas, 38 species of Carabidae belonging to 18 genera were identified. The control area, located in the meadow ecosystem, has the highest species abundance of carabide fauna. 30 species (78.95 %) were recorded in this area. The control area in the forest ecosystem includes 26 species (68.42 %), model areas near the Tulachermet plant – 22 species (57.89 %), Kosogorsky Metallurgical Plant – 19 species (50.00 %). In the study areas, 9 life forms of ground beetles were identified, representing 2 class – zoophages (7 groups) and mixophytophages (2 groups). Among the predatory forms, litter-soil burrowing stratobionts dominate (7 species, 18.42 %), among mixophytophages – harpaloid geochortobionts (11 species, 28.95 %). The spectrum of life forms in the control area in the meadow includes 9 groups, in the control area in the forest – 8 groups, in the Kosogorsk Metallurgical Plant – 6 groups, in the Tulachermet area – 5 groups. Conclusions. In the industrial zones of Tula, a decrease in the species composition of ground beetles is observed compared to control areas. Near metallurgical enterprises, there is a disturbance in the structural characteristics of the carabid fauna, which is confirmed by the values of biodiversity indices. Also, in the areas of metallurgical enterprises, changes are observed in the spectrum of life forms, namely a decrease in their number and ratio.