The forest cover of Flanders and the Netherlands
has been very low for centuries. Remaining
forests were intensively managed and old trees
and dead wood became very scarce. The biodiversity associated with these elements makes up
an important part of the overall forest biodiversity, and was probably to a large extent lost over
time. Only during the last decades, dead wood
and old trees are progressively reintegrated in
the forest management, possibly to reach now
their highest level over the last 500-1000 years.
The ability of related beetle species to recolonise
the newly available habitat is strongly determined
by limitations in their dispersal and recruitment ability. We tried to evaluate the current status for
saproxylic beetles by means of several indicator
species, and a number of intensive field inventories in sites with high potential. Our results
showed remarkably good results for the saproxylic beetle diversity of our forests and indicate a
progressive recolonisation process. This confirms and justifies the efforts for conservation
of dead wood and habitat trees in modern
forest management. We conclude with some
practical recommendations for conservation
management.
Dermestidae found: Globicornis nigripes, Megatoma undata, Trinodes hirtus.