The role of sanitary logging in saproxylic insect conservation: a case study on Chalcophora detrita (Klug) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Sanitary logging is a necessary forest management practice aimed at controlling pest outbreaks and maintaining tree health. This study investigates its effects on saproxylic insect communities, focusing on Chalcophora detrita, an endangered beetle in Italian pine forests. Conducted in Tuscany (Italy), in a coastal pine stand subjected to sanitary logging, our research evaluates the potential of this practice to reconcile biodiversity conservation with forest health management. By removing bark beetle-infested trees, sanitary logging mitigates pest proliferation, while removing dead wood habitat from the forest. However, the impact on saproxylic species needs further study. Our findings show that C. detrita not only survives this disturbance but thrives on the increased availability of pine stumps. Furthermore, excavations of active larval galleries indicate that the species persists in stumps for at least six years post-harvest, with colonization influenced by local factors such as moisture, temperature, and fungal presence. Sanitary logging frequently encounters public opposition, particularly in urban forests, where abrupt landscape changes are often perceived solely as a detrimental loss of natural resources. Effectively communicating all the aspects concerning the outcome of sanitary logging, including the effects on biodiversity, is essential for shaping public perception. Increasing awareness of these ecological dynamics can facilitate the implementation of sustainable forest management practices. This study highlights the importance of integrating sanitary logging with biodiversity conservation to sustain saproxylic communities and ecosystem functions in Mediterranean forests as the long-lasting habitat offered by sanitary logging was a valuable resource for the conservation of C. detrita populations.