Our study examined a total of 60 dead wood samples (Quercus spp.), collecting 30 samples each in summer and winter, and measured various environmental variables in the field. These samples were classified into three decay classes: fresh, intermediate, well-decayed. We sampled saproxylic beetles within the collected dead wood using emergence traps. Conducted a cluster analysis to explore their relationships of saproxylic beetle and environmental variables. Our results revealed that season and decay class were significant environmental variables affecting saproxylic beetle communities. These results highlight the sensitivity of saproxylic beetles to fluctuations of environment and climate. In summary, our study highlights the intricate relationships between environmental variables and saproxylic beetles and suggests that different types of dead wood should be maintained in forests.

In the forest ecosystem, trees are important components among many life forms, supporting biodiversity. This biodiversity is found not only in living trees but also in dead trees, where they provide rich environment for dead wood-associated organisms. Among saproxylic invertebrates, insects play pivotal roles in dead wood ecosystem and comprise of a huge proportion of diversity. In this study, we categorize Quercus dead wood into three decay classes, and seek to understand the association of saproxylic insect assemblages and different decay classes. Using emergence traps, we examine how many insect species and individuals appear in each decay class, and how insect assemblages change across the full range of decompositional stages of Quercus dead wood. This will highlight the importance of retaining various dead wood to conserve saproxylic biodiversity.

부산, 경남, 경북, 전남, 전북 22개 지역 19수종 238본의 고사목에서 1989년 4월부터 9월까지 선충류와 곤충류를 조사한 결과, 소나무 재선충은 부산지역에서만 검출되었으며, 어리소나무 재선충은 진주와 진해에서 분포가 확인되었다. 고사목에서 분리.동정된 선충류는 9속 13종이었으며 6속은 미동정되었다. 동정된 선충 중 Diplogasteroides dimidius, Rhabdontolaimus adephagus, R.janae, Mikoletzkya diluta, M. ruminis, m. langcauda, Parasitorhabditis hylurgi, Panagrolaimus concolor, Panagrodontus dentatus, Prothallonema intermedium, Macrolaimus canadensis는 우리나라 미기록종이다. 한편, 고산목에서 채집된 곤충은 5목 9과 25속 27종이었는데 딱정벌레목이 3과 19속 22종으로 가장 많았다. 그중 나무종이 10속 12종으로 빈번히 채집되었으며, Hypothenemus eruditus가 꽃싸리, 싸리, 조록싸리, 만리화, 닥나무에서 채집되어 새 기주로 추가되었다. 소나무 재선충의 매개충인 솔수염하늘소는 복부에서의 선충 검출수가 가장 많았으며, 성충 한마리당 선충 보유수는 최대 127,535마리, 최소 2,616마리, 정균 42,817마리였다.