The effect of forest clearcutting in Norway on the community of saproxylic beetles on aspen

The effect of forest clearcutting on the community structure and species richness of saproxylic beetles using aspen coarse woody debris was studied within a forest in the boreonemoral zone east of Oslo, Norway. Beetles were trapped during the summers of 1998 and 1999, and habitat variables were recorded. Subsequent analyses were based on the degree of sun exposure and substrate type. Of the saproxylic species captured during the study, 18 were red-listed in Norway. Neither substrate type nor degree of sun exposure affected the total abundance of saproxylic species. However, the estimated number of saproxylic species captured per substrate was significantly higher in snags than in logs. There was also a higher probability of presence of red-listed species in snags than in logs, while the probability of presence increased over the three categories of sun exposure. The management implications of the findings are discussed.