Ecological network for species dependent on ancient broadleaf trees using Osmoderma barnabita as a model species: a new approach

Organisms that depend on rare and endangered microhabitats, such as old, hollow trees, have a high conservation value. To conserve these species, it is necessary to apply methods that identify habitats suitable for their survival. Until now, a comprehensive method has not been developed for predicting the occurrence of species associated with old, hollow trees. Here, we developed criteria to identify habitats for organisms associated with old, hollow trees, using Osmoderma barnabita as a model species. We used hexagonal tessellation to identify suitable habitats for hermit beetle. Criteria for predicting the occurrence of a hermit beetle were applied in practise, and as result 47.56% of the known hermit beetle localities coincided with the hexagons where the probability of occurrence of the species was the highest. Based on these results, an ecological network was created for species dependency on old, hollow trees, using the hermit beetle as a model species. The proposed approach makes it possible to plan and implement environmental protection measures for species living in territories spanning several countries. In this work, we propose a method to identify species occurrence in core areas and to determine ecological corridors and gaps. This method could tailor conservation planning efforts. A comprehensive method has been developed for predicting the occurrence of species associated with old, hollow trees in entire countries, using the hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita) as a model species. Hexagonal tessellation has been used to identify suitable habitats for O. barnabita. Based on generalised criteria values and using hexagonal tessellation, habitats suitable for O. barnabita occurrence were determined. The proposed approach makes it possible to plan and implement environmental protection measures for species in cross‐border level, what allow to determine core areas, ecological corridors and gaps.