Poster 2: Contribution to the study of the epigeal entomofauna of forests ecosystems in the Walloon Region

The research project carried out by the Biogeography and Ecology Unit of the Université Catholique de Louvain (ECOL-UCL) for the Walloon Region, has for mission to compare the diversity of invertebrate groups in forests undergoing different management practices. The work is based on trappings done in 1999 by the Forest Unit (EFOR-UCL). There were 134 plots and 402 pitfall traps collected once per month from April to October 1999 and filled with formaldehyde solution. Six forest systems were sampled in three study areas (Gedinne-Libin ; Vielsalm-Manhay and Chiny-Anlier), with the unmanaged Rognac forest serving as a reference. Each system was composed of three growth stages: regeneration stage; young forest and mature forest. The forest systems were: even-aged oak forest, even-aged beech forest, even-aged coniferous forest, uneven-aged beech forest, uneven-aged coniferous forest, uneven-aged mixed forest. The project, spread over four years, has for aims to complement the work carried out previously, among others by the study of Staphylinidae and Myriapoda. It involves the determination of the 1999 collections of EFOR-UCL (Staphylinidae and Myriapoda), the undertaking of a new sampling campaign in "extensively managed forests with natural features", the study of the impact of management on the diversity of epigeal invertebrates by comparing managed and unmanaged forests; and finally, the project will aim to characterize and provide recommendations for "low impact" silvicultural practices.