| Are Current Management Recommendations for Conserving
Saproxylic Invertebrates Effective? |
What is the aim of the review?
To systematically collate and synthesise published and unpublished
evidence in order to address the question: “Are current
management recommendations for conserving saproxylic invertebrates
effective?” Within this, to investigate whether biotic and
abiotic factors, such as those listed below, can be manipulated
through site-based management in order to benefit saproxylic fauna:
- Provision of supplementary dead and decaying wood.
- Provision of simulated dead and decaying wood.
- Promotion of decay and cavities in younger trees.
- The microclimate surrounding dead and decaying
wood (e.g., altering the degree of sun-exposure).
Who's in the review team?
At what stage is the review?
This review is now complete.
What is the rationale?
Throughout Europe, saproxylic insects have been
identified as a highly threatened community of invertebrates.
Conservation management recommendations for saproxylic invertebrates
advocate the continuous provision of dead and decaying wood microhabitats
that they require for survival.
A systematic review of all available
empirical evidence was proposed by The National Trust (a substantial
private charity that owns and manages land throughout England,
Wales and Northern Ireland for conservation objectives) in order
to evaluate the effectiveness of current site-based management
recommendations in regard to conserving saproxylic invertebrates.
It was anticipated that the review would draw attention to areas
where primary research, or long-term monitoring, would be valuable
in order to substantiate the current management guidelines and
to initiate evidence-based best practice in saproxylic conservation.
How were the results
obtained?
A number of electronic databases were searched for information
using a range of search terms. Internet searches were conducted
in order to retrieve any relevant grey literature. In addition,
the bibliographies of relevant articles were examined for useful
references. The websites of several major UK conservation organisations
were also searched for useful publications and the specialist
publication, the Coleopterist, searched by hand. 5,841 uniquereferences
were identified through the search strategy; 26 of these were
accepted into the final review having satisfied all inclusion
criteria.
What
did the review find?
To read more about this review, its findings, and the implications for conservationists and researchers, please see the Summary or Full Report.
Comments?
If you would like to comment on any aspect of this review, please email us. Your feedback is appreciated.
|
