Various groundbeetle communities in orchards of Southwest Germany corresponding to different forms of landuse (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

To evaluate groundbeetle coenoses in orchards of South West Germany (Limburg area, 48.38 N/9.23 E), 17 plots (known for at least 25 years for their constantly different landuse) were chosen, and during the vegetation seasons 1995-1997 were provided each with 6 pitfall traps. The respective landuse forms were: meadows mowed trice (3), meadows mowed twice (3), mulching (4), abandoned areas (3), horse pastured (1), sheep pastured (2), and 1994 abandoned sheep pasture (1). On these 17 plots alltogether, and in combination with hand collection 82 groundbeetle species were found. In the trapped plots were caught 68 species. Meadows mowed twice (20-24 species), meadows mowed trice (17-30), and pastures (16-27) proved to be inhabited by more species compared to mulched plots (13-19) and such without landuse (7-18). Species number and activity of individuals clearly depended from different landuse intensity. On almost all plots, there was a every year change of the dominant species. For each plot, the colonizing species as well as the disappeared ones were registered every year. The farming and landuse systems of orchards is discussed and their differentiating influence on the coenosis structure of groundbeetles proved.