Saproxylic Beetles and microhabitats in mixed forests of silver fir and beech in the Vallombrosa Reserve

Forest biodiversity can be monitored trough ecological indicators, such as microhabitats and dead wood. Among the primary users of these small habitats there are arthropods, birds and mammals, but the most important component is represented by Coleoptera. In 2020, a study was launched in the mixed forests of silver fir and beech in the Nature Reserve of Vallombrosa in order to examine the saproxylic beetles present and the relationships between these species and indicators of forest biodiversity. In 47 plots, we sampled flying and crawling beetles, assessed the microhabitats and measured the volumes of dead wood and living trees. In this paper we report the first results obtained from the study. In the examined stands, we found threatened and endangered species included in the Red List of Italian Saproxylic Beetles and species protected under the Habitat Directive. A total of 2573 microhabitats were surveyed and proved to have ecological relationships with the sampled beetle species. The percentage ratio between the volume of dead wood and the volume of living trees was 39%. The results are discussed to describe the ecological role of the saproxylic beetles with respect to the biodiversity indicators.