DENSITIES AND BIOMASS OF INVERTEBRATES IN STANDS OF ROTATIONALLY MANAGED COPPICE WOODLAND

This paper investigates the effect on the three major invertebrate groups-Diptera, Hemiptera and Arachnida-together with total invertebrates and total biomass of (a) coppice species (sweet chestnut Castanea sativa and birch Betula pendula), (b) coppice age, (c) mature coppice understorey species (hazel Corylus avellana, hornbeam Carpinus betulus and sweet chestnut), living under oak Quercus standards at the Blean Woods complex in Kent. Generally birch coppice, irrespective of age, had the highest densities and biomass of the invertebrate groups studied. Middle-aged (6-7 year old) sweet chestnut coppice had the lowest density of invertebrates, although between-age class differences were significant in only a few cases. The age of birch coppice had no clear effect on invertebrate abundance and sample biomass. The species of coppice understorey in mature stands under oak standards had a significant effect on invertebrate abundance and sample biomass in the understorey. Generally densities and biomass values were highest in hornbeam and lowest in sweet chestnut. Total invertebrate densities and total biomass values were between 5-8 times higher and between 3-12 times higher, respectively, in hornbeam than in sweet chestnut understorey. The implications of management for mixed broadleaved woodland bird communities are discussed. © 1990.