Hollow oaks and beetle functional diversity: Significance of surroundings extends beyond taxonomy.

ABSTRACT: Veteran hollow oaks (Quercus spp.) are keystone structures hosting high insect diversity but are declining in numbers due to intensification of land use and the abandonment of traditional management. The loss of this vital habitat is resulting in a reduction of biodiversity, and this likely has consequences for ecosystem functioning, especially if functional diversity is reduced. A considerable amount of research has been done on predictors of beetle taxonomic diversity in veteran oaks, but predictors of functional diversity have remained largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to establish whether the features and surroundings of veteran oaks are related to functional diversity within three functional groups of beetles (decomposers, predators, and flower visitors) and determine whet

SUBMITTER: Wetherbee R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6988526 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature