Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoideae) between a natural forest and a reforested steppe (Djelfa, Algeria)

44179

Steppe ecosystems are characterized by significant biological diversity, and this is the result of a long adaptation process to difficult agro-climatic conditions. Feces of large or small herbivorous animals must be destroyed to be recycled. This process is involving the activity of various soil organisms. Among the most active insects are Scarabaeoidea. Our study was conducted in two grazed ecosystems in djelfa pasture, situated in the semi-arid region; the first one is a pinewood forest, located in the Senalba. The second one is an Aleppo pine reforested stand, part of the Green Dam that was launched decades ago to stop desertification. Dung beetles were captured using baited pitfall traps during the period 2009-2010. 1435 beetles belonging to 42 species were trapped. The faunas of senalba and of Moudjbara were compared. The fauna in the reforested stand is poorer than the one of the natural forest. The natural forest might provide favorable microclimatic conditions for some species such as Chironitis furcifer, Aphodius fimetarius and A. felscheanus. Results showed a significant seasonal variation in the composition, and diversity. There were four periods of activity during the course of the year. Temporal turnover was highest in September and in February, Dungs beetle dominate during summer and autumn in Moudjbara while in the Sénalba they dominate during autumn and winter. This study reveals that natural forest is the most suitable habitat to the installation Scarabaeidae unlike reforestation, this could be the result of a limited grazing in the reforested steppe.

23

Scarabaeoidea , Pinewood forest , Reforested steppe

Turkish Journal of Forestry

30

Turkish Journal of Forestry