Publication Date
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
John O. Stireman III, Ph.D. (Advisor); Volker Bahn, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Megan A. Rúa, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Mature forests often harbor greater biodiversity than younger woods. As this relationship of forest age to biodiversity has not been examined for all taxa, this study sought to document the diversity of mycophilous beetle communities in deciduous forests of southwest Ohio and understand how they vary in relation to forest age. I surveyed fungus associated beetles using baited traps at eight forested sites in the Dayton, Ohio region. Traps were surveyed three times during 2018 to account for seasonal variation, something that has not been done for this geographic region. Forest age had no significant effect on beetle abundance or diversity, but mature forests did have a distinct community of beetles. Invasive honeysuckle had a negative effect on beetle abundance and diversity. With this information, more informed decisions may be made with regard to land use and forest management, maintaining existing mature forests and managing invasive species to enhance biodiversity.
Page Count
55
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2020
Copyright
Copyright 2020, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
ORCID ID
0000-0001-7413-9951
