Effects of reforestation with non-native species on rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Abstract: Rove beetle assemblages were studied in native English oak forests and three non-native plantations (black locust, Scots pine and red oak) established after clear-cutting of English oak forests in Eastern Hungary. The rove beetles were collected by litter sifter sampling. The total number of rove beetle individuals and the total number of species were significantly higher in the native forests than in the non-native plantations. There was no significant difference in the number of rove beetle individuals and species among the plantations. The number of individuals and species of the substrate-dependent rove beetles (mycetophilous, phytodetriticol, saprophilous and xylodetriticol species) were significantly higher in the native forests than in the non-native plantations. There was no significant difference in the number of substrate-dependent staphylinid individuals and species among the plantations. Our results suggest that planting non-native species had a detrimental effect on the diversity and composition of rove beetle assemblages.