Community analysis at medium scales: focus on Carabids

An investigation of carabid beetle communities of a managed spruce forest has been carried out in eastern Alps (Cadore, Veneto region, Italy) from May to September (2013). We positioned the pitfall traps across different sample units (i.e., forest stands), at an elevation between 800 and 1500 m asl, in order to collect carabid beetles. The study of the species composition and of the ecological structure of carabids assemblages allows to understand each structural parameters of communities and to analyse in detail how the ground beetle communities are influenced by the structure and the morphology of the forest and by the forest management. This type of information could be useful for understanding the impact of management activities in biological communities and for promoting good practice of sustainable forest management.