Woodlice assemblages of planted and native forests in central Italy

Effects of reforestation on woodlice assemblages were studied in three ca. 20-year-old regenerating plantations and were compared to an old native mixed oak forest (Quercus cerris and Quercus frainetto) in Latium (central Italy). The three plantations were reforested with native tree species (holm-oak Quercus ilex, Turkey-oak Quercus cerris and downy-oak Quercus pubescens) in areas which had been previously used for agricultural purposes. Material collected by pitfall traps was used for comparison of species richness and structural parameters in the four forest types. One sampling site for each forest type was chosen, and each site was sampled monthly during a one year sampling. Our results show that the woodlice assemblages of the plantations were more simply structured with a low species richness and diversity while the native mixed forest shows slightly higher values with three exclusive species. The woodlice assemblages of the plantations in comparison to the native mixed oak forest are characterized by the dominance of a few more euriecious and vagile species, a condition typical of immature successional stages.