Heathland fires temporarily increase species diversity: an example in terrestrial Chironomidae (Diptera)

Community composition of terrestrial chironomid species (Diptera) was investigated in three different heathland types which underwent burning in central Brittany. Test and burnt sites were compared for 4 years after fire occurred. The overall species diversity increased for 2 years and then decreased. Neighbouring sites (test and burnt ones) were used differently by species: some of them colonised several sites while others were restricted to a single site over the 4 years. Generalist species, as well as some specialist species, were favoured by this new situation, leading to an increased species permanency at the landscape level.