Abstract:

The diversity of ground beetles were investigated in the plantations (5, 25 and 40 years old) and natural forests (5～8, 20～30, 35～45 and 60～80 years old) of Larix principis rupprechtii in Pangquangou National Nature Reserve（111°22′—111°33′E，37°45′—37°55′N）, Shanxi, China from May to September in 2006 and 2007 A total of 3 104 beetles were collected from the field with pitfall traps. These beetles were identified as belonging to 19 families, among which Carabidae accounted for 30.48%, Staphylinidae 26.97%, Nitidulidae 19.23% of the total, respectively. These three families were dominant groups in the study area because of each more than 10% of the total, respectively. Curculionidae accounted for 9.73%, Elateridae 5.9%, Chrysomelidae 2.41% and Scarabaeidae 1.03% of the total. These four families were common groups in the study area because of each accounted for 1%～10% of the total. Family richness and diversity were higher in natural forest of 5～8 years old and the plantation of 5 years old, while family richness and diversity were lower in natural forest of 20～30 years old, 35～45 years old and the plantation of 25 years old. Family evenness was similar in all seven plots. The numbers of individuals(N) was the highest the plantation of 5 years old and was the lowest in the natural forest of 5～8 years old. The habitat of L. principisrupprechtii natural forest was similar to the same age plantation except younger ones, of which the plantation of 5 years old and the natural forest of 5～8 years old had significantlly difference from ones in other habitat. Family richness, diversity and individuals were higher in July than other months and evenness were not significantly different in season changes.

Key words: grounddwelling beetles, diversity, Larix principisrupprechtii, age of trees, Pangquangou National Nature Reserve