METHODS AND RESULTS OF RESEARCH ON DEAD WOODY MATERIAL ON NATURAL-FOREST RESERVES

On the natural-forest reserves of Bavaria, a project is being conducted since 1986 concerning the inventory of these areas. In this connection, dead woody material, being a characteristic of natural woodlands, is playing an important role. The total amounts of dead woody material were estimated on systematically arranged circular sample plots. Using newly developed trapping devices (photoeclectors for dead woody material) which are described in detail, it was attempted to appraise the erthropod cenoses of dead woody material in a reproducible manner in respect to both quality and quantity. Total amounts of dead woody material varied highly on the three natural-forest reserves which are described in some detail. On all areas, dead woody material showed to be - tree species were irrelevant - a biocenosis intensively used by arthropods. As far as the qualification of the areas as reserves is concerned, the analysis of the indicatory group of saproxylic beetles showed that areas with the highest amounts of dead woody material also have the highest percentages of red-list species. The Wettersteinwald reserve containing a number of rarities may be rated as outstanding.