The influence of agricultural management on the structure of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages

The influence of agricultural management form on the structure and the species diversity of ground beetle (Carabidae) assemblages was studied. The research was carried out in the vicinity of Očová village (Central Slovakia) in 2005–2006. Carabid beetles were pitfall-trapped in four pairs of plots with the same crop, but conventionally and nature-friendly managed. In total, 54,376 individuals of 68 species of 30 genera were collected. The significantly positive effect of nature-friendly management on the number of carabid beetle individuals and species diversity was observed only in the plots with arable soil. Carabid beetles reached a higher species diversity in the plots with a higher pH and humus content. These parameters were typical of nature-friendly managed fields, and of the conventionally managed permanent grass stands. In general, number of carabid beetle individuals and species was higher in arable soils than in permanent grass stands.