Effect of soil preparation on beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages occurring in the forest plantations established on former farmland

The presented study concerns the effect of the methods of soil preparation on the changes in the number and species composition of beetle assemblages occurring on the former farmland designed for afforestation. 48 research areas representing four soil preparation variants were established with Barber traps set up. 5,158 beetles representing 137 species from 27 families were collected during the study period. The results indicate that soil preparation on the former farmland consisting in deep ploughing and shallow ploughing with subsoiling favours the encroachment of both the ubiquitous and forest species leading to the faster development of forest type beetle assemblages. The preparation of soil on the former farmland by shallow ploughing and ridge formation favours the long−term presence of beetle assemblages in open areas