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The use of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in conservation assessments of exposed riverine sediment habitats in Scotland and northern England

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Michael Eyre, Dr Martin Luff

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Abstract

Exposed riverine sediments (ERS) are an important invertebrate habitat. Ground beetle data from pitfall trap surveys of 165 sites in the catchments of the Rivers Carron, Nith, Spey, Tweed and Eden and from 48 sites in the catchments of the Rivers Blyth, Breamish, Coquet, Glen, Pont, South Tyne, Till, Tweed and Tyne were used to produce ERS habitat classifications in Scotland and northern England respectively. Within each habitat type the quality of sites were assessed using indices based on rarity and fidelity values and using species richness as a measure of diversity. Considerable variation in these indices was seen within and between habitat types, showing potential for their use in assessing site quality and for ranking sites within habitats. The use of standardised invertebrate survey and distribution data, together with species assemblage information, for the conservation of invertebrate habitat types as an alternative to the use of selected 'indicator species', is discussed.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Eyre MD, Luff ML

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Insect Conservation

Year: 2002

Volume: 6

Issue: 1

Pages: 25-38

ISSN (print): 1366-638X

ISSN (electronic): 1572-9753

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1015776720125

DOI: 10.1023/A:1015776720125

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