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Title: Effects of Eucalyptus wood and leaf litter on saproxylic insects in the southeastern United States

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Athens, GA (United States); OSTI
  2. US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Athens, GA (United States)
  3. University of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States); University of Georgia, Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL)
  4. University of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
  5. Clemson University, SC (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Although Eucalyptus is widely planted outside its native range for timber and pulp production, the effects of these exotic plantations on biodiversity relative to native semi-natural forests or plantations of native tree species remain incompletely understood. Here, we compare the diversity of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) and true bugs (Hemiptera) between non-native Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden and Cambage (Camden white gum) and native Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) stands on the upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina, U.S.A. We sampled insects emerging from logs of both species placed in both stand types after 1, 2, 6, and 12 months in the field. Beetle and true bug richness and diversity were both significantly lower from eucalypt than from pine wood. Moreover, the two communities were compositionally distinct. Whereas pine supported many species of host-specific phloeoxylophagous beetles, most species collected from eucalypts were mycophagous or predatory taxa capable of utilizing a wide range of hosts. Species richness did not differ between logs placed in eucalypt vs. pine stands but Shannon’s diversity was significantly higher in the eucalypt stands, possibly due to greater sun exposure in the latter. Contrary to a previous study, we found no support for the idea that eucalypt litter reduces the diversity of saproxylic insects. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that non-native plantations are less favorable to biodiversity than those consisting of native tree species.

Research Organization:
USDA Forest Service, Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC (United States); University of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)
Grant/Contract Number:
EM0003622; EM0004391
OSTI ID:
2472270
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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